I am looking at ah add for an MTH Birkshire "Nickel Plate Road" loco and tender.
The add says that it accepts PLUG IN PROTO SOUND SYSTEMS.
Can anyone tell me what, exactly, that means?
Thank,
Roger
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Roger,
One thing I can say with reasonable confidence is that it does not mean that it can be upgraded to PS2 or PS3 on a "plug and play" basis.
it almost sounds like a very early railking berkfrom the mid 90s.proto sound was an optional upgrade as you could get the loco with just the whistle or ps-Jim
Happy Pappy: was it QSI?-Jim
Originally Posted by Happy Pappy:
The system in question was only available for a brief time period. It was made by the gentleman that helped develop ProtoSound for MTH. I'm sure Barry can remember his name. The business name was, Scale Rail Tin (?). He passed away a few years ago. (Barry, help me out. My memory is fading, PD) The last conversation I had with him, he said the only thing that could be done was a PS-2 upgrade.
Jim it was a QSI System, Thank you! 
His name was Art Boynton. Pat Quinn and Fred Severson originators of QSI are hopefully still with us .. Quinn/ Severson/ Industries
Gregg, Has it. Those engines usually had a DCRU on the bottom so you added a QSI power board and sound board. No longer made.
MTH used a different PS-1 set up that only needed 2 boards. So to get PS-1 which is still around on the secondary market would require swapping both boards.
So you really would be better off just upgrading to PS-2 or PS-32 if you really liked that engine. G
GGG, why do you say "PS32" rather than just "PS3," the boards for which are just about due?
The PS32 board is the one intended for PS/2 upgrades and replacements, it has the capability to interface to the piggyback board that provides the compatible interface to the PS/2 lighting, etc.
Wow, thanks for all the info guys.
GRJ, remember he was saying it would be an upgrade from some pre-PS2 configuration (such as QSI or PS1 ore something else), so lighting might not be the same as PS2. It's been 10 years or so since I upgraded a whistle only unit, and as I recall I changed the lighting.
Yes, but you asked if the board runs at a higher voltage than PS/2-3V, and I answered the question. 
I have no idea what he has, so that's a whole different issue.
Yes, but you asked if the board runs at a higher voltage than PS/2-3V, and I answered the question
I think that was in another thread.
So then, are you saying that this loco would be upgradable to PS2 or PS3 or am I misreading the info?
It would be nice if it could be because it is priced at only $168.00.
I would happily buy one of the used Lionel Lion Chief Berks, but I have heard of a lot of issues with the Lionel Lion Chief version.
Here is the complete description and list of features:
Pretty hard to find MTH RailKing Nickel Plate Road Berkshire 2-8-4 steam engine #759, including Coal Tender, original box, and instruction manual - featuring:
*3-rail system
*operating Proto-Smoke system
*operating headlight
*accepts plug-in ProtoSound Systems
*Electronic whistle
*DCRU Electronic Reverse by QSI
*precision flywheel equipped motor
*all-metal wheels & gears
*compatible with most AC transformers
*die-cast metal intricately detailed body
*weighs approx. 8 pounds
*measures approx. 22" x 2-5/8" x 3-1/2"
*die-cast metal leading & trailing trucks
*operating die-cast metal couplers
*die-cast tender coal load
*detailed locomotive cab interior
*operates on O-31 or O-27 track
*Coal Tender with reverse-lockout switch
Hasn't seen very much rail-time, in excellent condition - C-7
RWL, figure $170 for an upgrade kit. As of today, PS2 steam upgrade kits may be hard to find and PS3 is due out imminently. PS2 kits were about $159 thru MTH Club and about $179 retail. PS3 is not yet priced, but will be more. If you can do the upgrade yourself, you'd save labor. GRJ and GGG will be happy to quoter you a price for an upgrade.
You can probably get a new PS2 or PS3 R-K Berkshire for about $400.
It's for you to decide whether it's worth it.
Probably just worth buying the new rig.
I think the new locomotive is the way to go. 
"Sometimes" it is economical and practical to purchase a used PS2 loco at sub $200 or so, convert it into a non powered unit (as in if you have same model, different cab#) and use its PS2 guts for a conversion. Of course this is a unique case, but I am about to do it soon...
When Proto-Sound 1 came out in the early 90s (I think), it was only available on some of the MTH engines. at the time MTH offered a choice of a DCRU reverse unit or Proto-Sound 1. PS-1 units were more expensive and sound in engines was new, so not everyone went for PS-1. If you bought the DCRU version, one could buy a QSI board directly from QSI Indutries. They had many variations and lots of sound files available. The DCRU was plug ready for the QSI boards. I bought a Railking N&W J with a DCRU at the time and later bought the QSI board with the J sound chip. Worked great (still does) and no different operation than PS-1.
Bill
Originally Posted by RJR:
GGG, why do you say "PS32" rather than just "PS3," the boards for which are just about due?
Because it really isn't PS-3. The Steam PS-3 upgrade uses what is being called a PS-32 board that adapts to the PS-2 3V harness and lights. G
Originally Posted by RJR:
GRJ, remember he was saying it would be an upgrade from some pre-PS2 configuration (such as QSI or PS1 ore something else), so lighting might not be the same as PS2. It's been 10 years or so since I upgraded a whistle only unit, and as I recall I changed the lighting.
Why does this matter? The PS upgrade kit includes all you need to upgrade. PS-3 to me is a OEM set up with LEDs. The upgrade kit uses a PS-32 set up. Diesel PS-3 board modified for an adapter board that runs bulbs, and is limited in the number. Same as PS-2 3V. There really is a capability difference between a PS-3 Steam engine and a PS-32 upgrade kit. G
Just acquired a Rail King UP Challenger RK-1108/ 30-1108 and looking for help to give this sound. It accepts Plug In ProtoSound. Any suggestions or direction you can point me in?? V
It doesn't. It has a whistle board on it. You can upgrade it with a PS-3 steam kit. The old QSI is no longer available. G
There is a 1996 MTH UP Challenger for sale now with the same note about accepting the module, thanks for the info on what that meant. With only the whistle installed, it may be more accurate unless you are modeling the restored steam operation in the 2000's, then having audio of steam enginemen talking on FM radio in the 30's and 40s is far from prototypical.
