Reply to "The question of B units (from AB, ABA, or ABBA sets) in O gauge trains and why they DON'T SMOKE... Did the prototypes not smoke too? Or is this a cost saving / amp draw UL approval issue?"

fcavolo posted:

MTH B units as well as their dummy A units do NOT have smoke. I would love it if at least the MTH Premier B's and dummy A's came with smoke. I realize this would increase the price but I would be happy to pay for this feature.

In the RK line of F3, PA, & E Series diesels, only the powered A unit had smoke and sound with the trailing B&A units only having lights in the rear A.  The Premiere line had both A units w/smoke and power (2 motors in each) and sound in the lead A unit. The B's for the most part were still dummies.

With MTH moving to individual (non-tethered) units in both powered (with sound & smoke) and non-powered I'm not certain if any of the B units have these features but they might. Check the latest MTH catalogs to be sure.

MTH smoke systems have a solid reputation while certain of the Legacy systems have given trouble some years ago. Personally, I have 2 Legacy steamers and 3 diesels that have bad fans that need attention or replacement. My older Lionel smokers have been virtually trouble free as have all of my MTH locomotives.