***Edited 08.22.2014 to update digital function information***
Short review:This is a really great locomotive set, runs and pulls well, great sound/lighting and good detail. I would recommend it, and would not hesitate to buy other MTH 3E+ locomotive.
Long review:This is a review for my new MTH 3e+ Denver and Rio Grande Western (D&RGW) "California Zephyr" EMD F3 A-B Locomotive Set. The part number is 8021975 (80-2197-5). I purchased these from Euro Model Trains (http://www.euromodeltrains.com) who I would also recommend.
Terminology:3e+ is MTH's new line of three-rail H0 locomotives for Marklin track. The operate on analog AC, MM or DCC (more details on operation below).
Prototype History: 
When D&RGW first started California Zephyr service, they originally purchased two Alco PA-1 A-B-A sets to run as motive power due to a dispute with EMD regarding power ratings (CB&Q and WP purchased F units from the start). Soon after, the dispute was resolved, as Rio Grande Purchased three A-B-B-A EMD F3 sets to run the California Zephyr. These were the only F3 units purchased by D&RGW. MTH has chosen the later (and perhaps most famous) "Prospector" yellow with single black stripe livery used in these units in the later 1950s through the 1960s. The two prototype, road number 5524 & 5523, were build in 1946 and used by D&RGW until traded in for GP40s in 1966.
Packaging & Documentation:MTH packages these in two semi-generic boxes that are banded together with an outer cardboard sleve, thus making it a set. Inside the boxes are plastic inserts somewhat like those used by Marklin in modern times that fold open to let the loco out. The overall packaging protects the locos well. The cardboard is a thinner grade (than standard Marklin) and is pretty middle of the road. The included documentation is very general. As others have suggested in reviews, MTH recommends you download the manual from their website. The manual for this model was easily available and fairly straightforward.
Detailing, construction and paint:
My first impression was "wow". The detailing is very good. However, they are not super-detailed to the point of being overly delicate, but a bit micro detailed than a Marklin F7 (I do not have the new tooling ATSF Super Chief or SOO Line, so this may no longer be the case, B&O 37618 is my newest F7). They have a metal chassis and plastic shell, which gives them a good heft despite the plastic outer body. The quality of the paint and decals is very sharp, there are no soft lines or finish differences where decals would be placed. My only real complaint about the appearance is the "plow" in the front is cut-out all the way to the bottom (unlike Marklin shells), which makes it look a little less realistic. Both models have NEM sockets and relex style couplers installed (front and rear) from the factory. There are figures installed from the factory inside the cab.
Both front and rear bogies are powered, with one axle in each boogie receiving traction tires on both wheels. Four extra traction tires are included with each locomotive unit. The bottom bogie covers are removed by popping them off with a small screwdriver, making lubrication easy without opening the entire locomotive. Both A and B units are powered and have sound. There is no "close" draw bar included, so the A and B units sit a little further apart than I would like. I may try to replace it with some kind of NEM draw bar (or close couplers) eventually. However, this does allow for easier handling and also allows for single unit operation (or perhaps running a heater car between the units like the prototype).
Operation and Digital Functions:First off, there is a DCC/DCS switch on the bottom. It must be set to DCC for analog operation or operation with a DCC controller. DCS of for MTH's proprietary controller.
This locomotive has 28 digital functions. Many are sounds, but there are also several lighting functions, including headlight, Mars light, marker lights, lighted number boards and a cabin light.
When operating in analog mode, the diesel sounds automatically come on (like the old FX digital F7s from Marklin). The headlights, Mars light, marker lights and cabin light operate automatically. The volume is controlled via a little potentiometer on the bottom of each locomotive. When you initially place hte loco on the track, you must power it for a few seconds so the "super capacitors" can charge. While this is in progress, the locomotive headlight is on. Once complete, the locomotive sound startup sequence begins and the rest of the lighting (Mars light, number boards, etc) come on. In practice, these works pretty well as the sound and lights do not cut off during any power blips. They also seem to allow the locomotive to run on fairly low voltage. Otherwise these operate the same as any other Marklin locomotive under analog control (my test was with 6646 transformers).
I tested this loco with my MS2. I do not have a CS/CS2 to compare. When operating in Digital mode, I found the same thing that Robert (Nielsenr) found: if you let the controller find the loco, it will most likely register it with MM protocol as it searches for that protocol first. If you do it this way, you'll only have four functions. Instead, manually enter it as a DCC loco with the short DCC address provided by MTH (3 in the case of this unit). Both the A and B units have the same address from the factory. When you register with DCC, you get 16 digital functions* on the MS2:
-Headlight/Mars Light
-Bell
-Horn
-Engine Start/Diesel Sound on
-Announcements (more on this in a moment)
-Marker lights/number plate lights
-Volume control
-Front coupler Sound
-Rear Coupler Sound
-Horn 1 (Forward signal)
-Horn 2 (Reverse signal)
-Horn 3 (Grade Crossing Signal)
-F12 (haven't figured out what this does yet)
-F13 Crew discussion sequence 1 (at idle)
-F14 Crew discussion sequence 2 (at idle)
-F15 Crew discussion sequence 3 (at idle)
*Note that when added via DCC, only 13 funcitons will appear. The remaining three are there. Icons can be added to these using the MS2 "change loco" function.
This operations differently than most Marklin locos (not sure if it's DCC or just the MTH decoder). Many of the functions actuate by activating the function more than once. For example, to change the volume you press F6 several times to cycle through the different levels.
I would say that the general sound quality is excellent. Really nice Diesel operation sounds. The diesel reacts to load regulation, and also adds some semi-random operating sounds as newer Marklin steam engines do during operation. There are some interesting sound functions with the variety of horns, etc.
The most interesting sound function is F4, the station announcement. It works in a sequence, each time you hit it it advances to the next part of the sequence. I believe there are five parts, each 20-30 seconds long if you allow them to play out.First, the loco announces it is arriving at the station ("California Zephyr arriving form Chicago on Track one!"), sounds the bell and makes other noises. The next time you push it, the loco stops automatically and plays additional station sounds (baggage handlers, boarding sounds, etc). Push it again, it continues the station sounds, this calls "all aboard!", announces "California Zephyr leaving for Oakland", "Lets get this baggage loaded", etc. The final press will cause the locomotive to resume motion and return to the originally set speed.
My only complaint is it's a little indirect to turn the sound off for silent operation. F23 is supposed to turn the sound off, but is not accessible from the MS2. Therefore, to turn it off one must toggle F6 until the volume is effectively at zero. The loco remembers the volume setting so this is a very minor issue.
The A unit has full sounds described here. The B unit only appears to mark diesel electric motor noises (as would make sense).
The lighting functions are really nice too. The headlights dim automatically when the train stops. The Mars light is great, very noticeable. The headlights and Mars light come on/off with the same function (F0) The number boards are lighted, yet still can be clearly read when the light function is turned off. The marker lights, number plates and cabin light are all controlled by the same function (f5). The cabin light automatically comes on when the locomotive is at a stop, and switches off once underway again.
Running quality and power:MTH states these units use a "skew wound five pole motor". Whatever the reason, the motors are very smooth. Acceleration and braking are smooth, operation (with sound off) is near silent. The units are also powerful. Using my standard BrandonBahn torture test I pulled ten 50 foot four axle tin plate box cars and a caboose up a 4% grade around an R1 turn and near the lowest speed setting. The locomotives have no problem doing this. I have not tested, but I suspect that the result would be similar with 30 cars. Between the motors, the decoder load management and the all powered bogies and traction tires, this is an effective puller.
The similarity of the motors must be great as the A and B units run at the exact same speed. They run very well together. Even if you uncouple them and run them a few inches apart, it appears the gap between units never changes. As you may suspect from the previous sentence, the A and B units can be operated independently. I suppose the B unit could run alone (or perhaps powering a dummy A unit?). The locomotive has no problem with R1 curves (as stated by MTH).
However, I did have two track issues running these locos for the first time. Initially I was very disappointed, but once I figured it out it was easy to correct. First, when these locomotives would go over a K track curved turnout on the outer radius, traveling from the branch of the turnout to the merge, they would switch the turnout. After a little testing, i figured out that the plow on the front was actually rubbing on the turnout motor and dragging the manual switch! This would only be an issue with K curved turnouts that use the newest style solenoid motor with the low profile manual switch on the track side. You're probably thinking I should have mounted the motors under the layout! I run the wires slightly under the turnout motor and down through my baseboard
to hide them. This caused the turnout motor to pop up just high enough to be a problem. After adjusting this with an Xacto knife and screwing the motor down with K track screws, the issue no longer happens.
The second issue is that the train would derail going across a standard K track left hand turnout (going toward the turn) in two places on my layout, but nowhere else. No other locomotives have a problem here. However, I do not install screws in every piece of track. I had screwed down the section of track before the turnout itself. I was able to resolve this by adding a screw to the turnout in the standard placement.
These were minor. It is most likely just my layout construction. They were also easy to solve. The locomotives have no problem on double slips, which is where I would normally suspect an issue. Based on the issues, I think these would only be a possible problem with K track. With C track the turnout motors are under the track, and the joints to the turnout are more regulated by the roadbed.
Conclusion:
This is my first non Marklin locomotive. Initially I was wary, but I'm glad I took the chance. This is a really nice locomotive. Great sound and lighting. Runs and pulls well, operates well under analog or digital control. I would not hesitate to buy another MTH 3E+ locomotive. In fact, I'll have to try and resist the other two units (A and B) they sell separately, or one of the GP35s! I would recommend this locomotive. Thanks for reading this long winded review. I hope it helps.
Click here for photos (if embedded are not working).-Brandon
Edited by user 22 August 2014 14:53:35(UTC)
| Reason: Update of digital function information.
