Regarding the elimination of the DCS/DCC selection switch I'd bet it wasn't a cost-reduction move. It was probably a customer complaint reduction move. 
I wonder how many people, unaware of DCC at all, accidentally flipped that switch and then called MTH or their LHS complaining about this hunk-of-junk that suddenly stopped running.
That seems more likely than cost reductions. I was doing some napkin math on the cost and margins for an engine like this, and I would bet they could source the switch for < .50, which at the volumes they do, doesn't seem like it would save very much money versus the anger generated by the handful of people like me, who end up bricking their new engine. Overall, pry savings < 10k for the entire line that would use those switches. I would love to know why exactly. Everything is there *except* the switch itself, so they didn't really design it out, they just removed it.
@geysergazer posted:Regarding the elimination of the DCS/DCC selection switch I'd bet it wasn't a cost-reduction move. It was probably a customer complaint reduction move.
You're exactly right, and we received a Service Bulletin stating that exact fact. Also, since it's till on Premier models, I've personally sent back at least half a dozen locomotives that were dropped off as non-functional after flipping the switch and reviving them. 
@geysergazer posted:Regarding the elimination of the DCS/DCC selection switch I'd bet it wasn't a cost-reduction move. It was probably a customer complaint reduction move.
Documentation about the missing switch from MTH does in fact say it's due to numerous calls from confused customers. I suspect it's due to the typical buyers of Rail King vs Premier locomotives. Rail King are generally not model railroaders, so they'd get mixed up with that switch.
Sad to hear about your issue. I've opened and DCCed two of the RK -8's myself, but neither where Christmas ones. Those middle tank screws got me both time, forgetting that they also hold the body on. The outside end screws were easy to figure out they held the body on. But getting them back together was a hassle both times, amazing how much they shove in these bodies.
@gunrunnerjohn posted:You're exactly right, and we received a Service Bulletin stating that exact fact. Also, since it's till on Premier models, I've personally sent back at least half a dozen locomotives that were dropped off as non-functional after flipping the switch and reviving them.
I couldn't count the number of service calls I went out on where the repair consisted of flipping the circuit breaker(s) back on. And some where what I did was either plug the thing in or turn on the water. We humans iz easily forgetful.
Wow, thanks to all on the details. That's cool history/new data. I appreciate it.
Because it's almost Christmas, and the layout was built for this specifically, I just got a second one (wife does not know yet, please keep this quiet). That conversion went flawlessly, and the new loco runs as expected. I plan to fixup the other one eventually, and when (if?) I expand the layout, maybe consist them, which might be kind of cool actually.
