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I was hoping to start a subway layout in a year (or two) by buying an MTH subway set, but since they are going out of business this April, do you think I should forget it?  I understood that they made the best ones and I wanted the ones with the correct color scheme as well.

Thanks,

John

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I'm still seeing them occasionally on auctions or of course ebay.  Of course, often second hand.

I have an R-17 Grafitti set from early 2000s.  It has been repaired twice in its lifetime, although one might have been my fault (not completely clear).  I always worry about what happens if it fails, as my subway is point to point (out and back in MTH lingo), so if it fails, I don't have many great options (other than a plain old bump and go). 

I guess my advice would be to get one now any way you can.  If the electronics fail, I would guess it can be upgraded to PS3.

I did see new PCC trolleys at my local train shop (Ye Olde Train Shoppe in Boyertown, PA) with PS3.  That would be a fall back plan, too, as these have the Trolley/Subway operation from MTH).

I wonder if Lionel will come out with an option now that MTH will be no more?

@Brad Trout posted:

I couldn't agree more, @Craftech!  I just programmed mine again today. While I only have 3 stops (2 ends and the middle) it is still the most fun item on my whole layout for me!

Ive read the directions on how to program the stops for out and back (or loop) and they are straight forward
i AM interested in seeing how well it works after that.  Does it work reliably? Do you start your route at the same exact spot each time? (i take it you need to leave yourself some buffer and dont put a stopping close to close to the end of the route in case you start the route in a location later than programmed!

@DCtransit posted:

Ive read the directions on how to program the stops for out and back (or loop) and they are straight forward
i AM interested in seeing how well it works after that.  Does it work reliably? Do you start your route at the same exact spot each time? (i take it you need to leave yourself some buffer and dont put a stopping close to close to the end of the route in case you start the route in a location later than programmed!

I would call it 95% + reliable, but it does vary a bit.  I have my subway, which is approximately 16 feet end to end.  I start the train within about an inch of the bumper and after running for 20-30 minutes or so (among my longest runs) it ends up within an inch or so of the same bumper.

I have 2 current PCC trolleys and 1 prior.  They all run a total length of about 7 feet (2 stops at ends and 2 in the middle) Two of them were about the same as the subway.  The most recent one I got from MTH auction #5 is slightly further off than the others, but still manageable.

Hi John:

I have a set of mint in the box of MTH IRT subway cars set number 30-2198-1, R21 Red Birds for sale. I am asking $250.00 for the set including the BCR (battery replacement for the MTH battery) plus shipping unless the buyer can pick them up from me close to my home in Westchester County, NY. My email contact is: edmickey@optonline.net

Thank you,

Ed Gerson

Last edited by ed new haven line
@Brad Trout posted:

I would call it 95% + reliable, but it does vary a bit.  I have my subway, which is approximately 16 feet end to end.  I start the train within about an inch of the bumper and after running for 20-30 minutes or so (among my longest runs) it ends up within an inch or so of the same bumper.

I have 2 current PCC trolleys and 1 prior.  They all run a total length of about 7 feet (2 stops at ends and 2 in the middle) Two of them were about the same as the subway.  The most recent one I got from MTH auction #5 is slightly further off than the others, but still manageable.

That sounds very promising! I'm excited to get both a pcc and Mets subway train at some point. I currently have a z1000 controller and a dcs explorer. My understanding is the explorer can't take advantage of the transit announcements and stops. I plan to get the new wtiu when it's released this year.

Can you confirm if I can program the stops with a z1000 controller?

@DCtransit posted:

That sounds very promising! I'm excited to get both a pcc and Mets subway train at some point. I currently have a z1000 controller and a dcs explorer. My understanding is the explorer can't take advantage of the transit announcements and stops. I plan to get the new wtiu when it's released this year.

Can you confirm if I can program the stops with a z1000 controller?

My understanding is that you would require DCS (via TIU and either handheld or app) to program and run station stops.  I tried to confirm (or deny this) via Barry Broskowitz's book; while it is DCS focused, he does identify the feature as a "DCS feature" which makes me believe it requires full DCS.

If you get the WTIU, then you will have access via the Android or iPhone app.  I have used both the DCS handheld and the app to successfully program trolley/subway station stops.

The steps to program the stops must be followed PRECISELY to get the result you want.  It can be a little frustrating at first if you aren't careful to do so.   If you don't have Barry's book you will want to get it.  It makes this process much clearer than the original manufacturer's documentation.

@SIRT posted:

                 This has been requested as part of the non cataloged offerings. We shall see???

i'll tale it SIRT, but this would just be a reissue of a previously released ps-2 R-17.  I'd much rather see them come out with an r-15 in that maroon color - https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?2915



All it would take is a few door changes and we'd have a new subway set. 

i'll tale it SIRT, but this would just be a reissue of a previously released ps-2 R-17.  I'd much rather see them come out with an r-15 in that maroon color - https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?2915



All it would take is a few door changes and we'd have a new subway set.

Not quite -

The Blue and silver scheme in an R-36 has never been offered in the past by MTH. This was the T/A Logo paint job over the Worlds Fair cars back in the day. Later versions got the "M" Logo. It would contain PS-3.

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