I know there are hard core MTH fans on the site. There are also hard core Lionel fans too. I myself, am not partial to either. I like them both. They both have their qualities and faults. But this isn't going to be about putting one against the other. I live close to the only operating SP Daylight GS4 left in existence. I went for a short ride last December with the wife at Christmas time when the engine was all decorated up. I immediately was taken in by the absolute beauty of this engine. So, I started searching the -Bay and eventually found an MTH SP Daylight Proto 1 in Ohio. The cost of the engine wasn't bad...The shipping on the other hand was horrid. Close to $100 to ship to Oregon. So the seller automatically refunded my money without asking me. (No hard feelings) I did contact the seller and I was able to have him send it to my sister in Ohio who is only 3 hours away. She in turn, brought the engine to Florida (on the plane, in a suitcase) to me while I was visiting my folks for my Dad's 80th birthday. I in turn, hand carried the engine and tender onto the plane back to Oregon. These are the eBay pictures from the original posting. The engine is not perfect, its used. The 4449 is all but rubber off under the cab window in the first picture.
I do not have any equipment to operate MTH equipment. After looking to see what MTH equipment was needed, I decided to upgrade the internals to the ERR DC Cruise Commander, Railsounds Lite for the SP Daylight, GRJ's Super-Chuffer and Chuff-Generator. I already have the TMCC system to operate my Chessie Steam Special. So doing this mod seem like a no brainer to me. If any one is wanting some of the old Proto 1 components let me know. The tender will be gutted, and the engine will retain the 5v constant voltage lighting board in order for the number boards, Class lights, and MARS light to work.
I have removed the original Proto 1 smoke unit and I'm going to install a generic MTH smoke unit with a single 20 ohm smoke element as recommended for the Super-Chuffer. I would like to be able to take the original smoke unit, modify it, and make this engine have a smoking whistle. My only problem is finding out if/where I can pick off voltage to activate the smoke unit from the Railsounds board.
This is what's going in its place. I have already swapped out the funnels and replaced the wicks.
I may have to retain the 4 pin tether and modify it so I will be able to connect the Aux Tender. When I bought the Aux Tender, the tether didn't come with it and it has been discontinued. Hopefully, I can make this work. If anyone has a flat 4 pin tether and they're willing to part with it, please let me know.
Here's the tender internals. These will be removed to make room for the DC Cruise Commander and Railsound systems. To my knowledge all of the MTH Proto 1 electronics work. I was told that the battery needed to be replaced.
So this is where I am currently. The ERR stuff should be here today. The new 10 pin MTH tether and socket will be here next week. I have the Chuff-Generator Mounted to the Pittman motor. I still have to measure the 1 mm (or .040) distance and solder the sensor in. The green wire will be for the Ground Lights, but that will come much later. I used Leoco plugs for the Chuff Generator board to help with removal in the future. I'm going to do the same to the Super-Chuffer.
There may be some cosmetic mods to the engine, but I'm fairly pleased with this design. Any mods will be after the prototype engine.
Until next time.
