Another casualty of the MTH closure

[Norton]

Aren't at least a few Lionchief diesels two motored? If so the boards should work with any MTH Diesel as they all pretty much use the same Mabuchi 385s. And if thats the case the Lionchief boards should also work with the Premier single motor Pittman steam engines. Stall current would be higher but running currents are still low in a properly set up Pittman. I can get them to run light at well below a half amp.
Now all you have to do is wait and see if Lionel releases Lionchief boards to the after market. Don't hold your breath.

Edit. Just went to Lionels parts site and found the LC+ FTs have two Mabuchis and Lionel will sell you the board for small money. Buy it now and get it for <30 bucks. The hard part. These require an encoder on the motor to work and while Lionel has the complete motor with sensor the sensor by itself is NLA. If you did get the motor you would have to likely swap the motor worms to your MTH engine. Not an easy task. In any even if you are considering a LC upgrade, today is the last day of the half price parts sale.

Pete

[Neil]

Thanks for the interesting and useful comments.

I read elsewhere that Mr. Muffin says everything is going to be all right. Assume that means he knows of a potential path forward for MTH to continue in business. He seems like a straight shooter and decent guy, but this could be one of those "my dealer told me" things.

Would be interesting if someone bought MTH and contracted with Lionel to put Legacy and/or LionChief+ in the locos. Would please everyone except the DCS only diehards I'd guess. Time will tell.

[Norton]

I was surprised how inexpensive The LC+ board is. It appears everthing is on that one small board including the receiver, motor driver and sounds. I admit to being fairly ignorant of the various Lionchief versions as don't own any. Nothing against it but I have plenty of traditional size engines now, many already upgraded with TMCC.
Someone wanting to convert MTH to Lionchief faces two hurdles. Swapping the motor worm gear and making your own wiring harnesses. Not impossible but its not a drop in like installing ERR or PS3.

Pete

[Norton]

PS3 to Lionchief would be step down. PS3 to Legacy might be considered a slight step up. People are installing Legacy in old Lionel engines now. No reason you couldn't do it to an MTH engine if you have deep pockets. I have no idea how much these guys charge but I know if I did it, and I have done my own, the bill would be in the 4 figures. You would have to love that engine to spend that kind of dough.

Pete

[Neil]

I see your point Pete. The main asset of LC and LC+ is they are more reliable and simpler to operate than PS3. I would expect that would suffice for Railking type locos if someone bought MTH's rights and wanted to broaden the MTH appeal to include people beyond the DCS owners. I agree Legacy would make much more sense than LC for Premier type locos. People expect first rate sound and features, and Legacy would provide that. Of course, I'm just talking through my hat on this. Best guess is no one is buying MTH and producing their locos as a free standing company at this point. But it ain't over till it's over.

[Norton]

Back when it was announced MTH was looking for a buyer a friend and I considered Steve Nelson. He made a point early on he would be providing warranty support to those who bought their MTH from him. He obviously has some capital to put together his existing business, also the technical expertise (EE degree and college instructor) to understand DCS. We just weren't sure he could handle an investment of this size. Who knows?

Pete

[KeithL]

I was thinking the same thing.

Steve also teaches business.

[G3750]

Thanks for the interesting and useful comments.

I read elsewhere that Mr. Muffin says everything is going to be all right. Assume that means he knows of a potential path forward for MTH to continue in business. He seems like a straight shooter and decent guy, but this could be one of those "my dealer told me" things.

Would be interesting if someone bought MTH and contracted with Lionel to put Legacy and/or LionChief+ in the locos. Would please everyone except the DCS only diehards I'd guess. Time will tell.

IF that did come to pass, and some upgrades to the MTH locomotives (I'm thinking wiring harnesses) occurred as well Legacy and / or LionChief+ heart/lung transplants, you wind up with some strong contenders there. The MTH locomotives have always been pretty. The weakness has been their operations under DCS (I am told they are OK in conventional mode). That could be a potent formula for success if someone had the deep pockets and intestinal fortitude needed to challenge in that niche.

George

[Norton]

By far the easiest way to upgrade an MTH engine to TMCC is with ERR. You don't have to change the gearing nor motors. It comes with most all the necesary wiring. Still not quite a drop in as you have fashion an antenna. I am not sure but would guess MTH uses metal handrail stanchions. Plus you need a chuff switch for steam. Diesels are no problem at all. Take out the DCS stuff and wire up ERR. Little or no soldering required.

Pete