With the DCS system, you can run the train and trigger sound effects with an included wireless remote controller. The DCS-equipped locomotive also runs on direct-current (DC) and Digital Command Control (DCC) layouts. MTH also offers a non-sound DC set.
Easy set up. The set includes an EMD F3 diesel equipped with DCS and ProtoSound 3.0, two freight cars and a caboose, 12 18″-radius RealTrax curves, one 9″ RealTrax straight section, and one 9″ RealTrax terminal section. We tested the DCS version, which includes a 24-watt power supply, DCS Remote Commander infrared wireless receiver, and entry-level handheld controller. MTH also makes more sophisticated DCS throttles that provide access to all the features of DCS-equipped locomotives.
The RealTrax track sections fit together easily and securely. The gray plastic roadbed is removable. Additional curved and straight sections of track are available separately.
The heart of the train set is the DCS Remote Commander, which I set up in a couple of minutes. Two wires from the terminal track section connect to the DCS receiver. The power supply has a barrel jack that then fits into the back of the receiver.
The system works with a line-of-sight infrared signal. The range of the remote is sufficient for anyone running trains on the supplied loop of track.
It should be noted that DCS is a proprietary system and isn’t the same thing as DCC. With the Remote Commander system included in this set you can run only DCS-equipped locomotives.
DCS-equipped F3. The dimensions of the MTH EMD F3 in the set match prototype drawings in The Model Railroader Cyclopedia, Vol. 2: Diesel Locomotives (Kalmbach Publishing Co., out of print). With high radiator fan shrouds and three portholes along each side, the model is based on what railfans refer to as a Phase I F3.
There aren’t many separately applied detail parts on the body shell, but the molded detail matches the prototype drawing. However, there are molding lines where the sides of the body meet the nose that shouldn’t be there.
The air horns are separately applied and the windows have clear glazing. The cab interior features painted crew figures, a control stand, and a brake stand.
Our review sample is decorated in the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Ry.’s warbonnet paint scheme. Paint coverage is smooth with sharp color separation. General Motors Electro-Motive Division builder’s plates are printed on both sides above the front truck.
After removing the front coupler and one additional screw as noted in the instruction booklet, I lifted off the F3’s body shell. A die-cast metal frame encases the motor and flywheels. The printed-circuit board for the DCS system is mounted on top of the frame. The speaker and a master volume control knob are on the bottom of the die-cast metal fuel tank.
I was especially impressed with its slow speed performance in DCC. When I set the locomotive to 128 speed steps, it crept along at 1 scale mph.
Testing the model with our Model Rectifier Corp. Prodigy Advance Squared DCC system and the MTH DCS Digital Commander gave me access to all 28 functions. Additional sound features include forward, reverse, and grade crossing horn signals. You can increase or decrease the engine rpm sounds
regardless of the locomotive speed.
Like other DCS equipped locomotives, the F3 can only be programmed on the main. Programming is limited to the short and extended addresses, acceleration rate, and deceleration rate.
The model’s knuckle couplers can be replaced with MTH Proto-Couplers (sold separately). These remote opening couplers can be controlled with the handheld controller included with the set or with a DCC or DCS throttle.
Rolling stock. The freight cars in the set include a 70-ton four-bay hopper with removable coal load, a 70-ton mill gondola, and a Santa Fe steel caboose. The cars have basic dimensions that match those listed for their prototypes in the 1954 Official Railway Equipment Register. The dimensions of the caboose match drawings in the September 1991 Model Railroader.
The plastic cars have crisply molded rivet seams, underbody brake gear, and other details. The interior of the gondola has a molded wood floor and tie-downs. The interior of the hopper has additional rivet seam detail. There are also rivets on top of the sills, which is a nice touch. The caboose has clear glazing in all its windows. All the cars have separately applied brake wheels.
The models’ lettering and graphics are straight and opaque. There are even some tiny repacking and painting stencils that are legible under magnification. Unlike their prototypes, the car ends don’t have any lettering. However, I appreciated that MTH chose a car number for each model that was correct for the type of car being represented.
Led by a sound-equipped F3, the MTH DCS freight set offers a good entry point into model railroading.
Manufacturer
MTH Electric Trains
7020 Columbia Gateway Drive
Columbia, MD 21046-1532
www.mthhotrains.com
Road names: Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe; Pennsylvania. Fantasy paint schemes: Christmas, Harley-Davidson, Mars – M&M.
Features
- 24-watt 16-volt power supply
- 36″ x 45″ MTH RealTrax oval
- All-wheel drive and electrical pickup on locomotive
- Digital Command System with wireless remote controller (DCS version only)
- Eight-pin DCC socket in locomotive (DC version only)
- Five-pole skew-wound motor with dual brass flywheels in locomotive
- Kadee-compatible knuckle couplers at correct height
- Protosound 3.0-equipped locomotive (DCS version only)
- Minimum radius: 18″
- RP-25 contour metal wheelsets in gauge
- Weight: 16 ounces (locomotive)
Nice package for that price point, i just bought a loco (gp9) with sound for more than this.
Now busy on a 15 by 7 foot around the wall layout. I hope that I can finish by Christmas!
You can also get the loco from this set by itself. Trainworld has it for only $109. I just ordered it this morning, should be here tomorrow. Can't wait!
i can`t wait for christmas maybe santa will come earley nice set for my budget
i will buy it even though i am not a beginer
I am seriously considering this set. The price is a little sticky but considering that an Athearn Genesis or other big name manufacturer loco with sound costs just as much as this whole set I think it is still a good deal. A great review and a great set!
This is avery nice set for a starter set, someone who has an apartment, or limited space constraints. The set will work with DCC I believe, the track can be removed from the roadbed, so a switch could be added. The price is 229.95 with sound. All in All not a bad train set for a beginner.
Lee, the more expensive set is $229, not $299. Also, the DC set is close to your target. Given these are list prices, you can probably find the DC set within your target pretty easily. The cost of the set with DCS sound seems OK, but you would have to keep buying MTH locos to keep the controller, buy MTH track to extend the track. It looks like you need to ditch the MTH track if you want switches. The up side is that it's probably the cheapest way to get into a sound enabled train set.
I seem to remember something from when the (original) set came out last year that the caboose was lighted. However, there's no mention of this in the review. Was this an oversight or did MTH drop the lighting in the caboose?
SOUNDS LIKE AN EXCELLENT WAY TO GO FOR THESE TIMES. THE AGE OF REMOTE IS NOW THE NORM. TO BAD ATHEARN DOESN'T COME OUT WITH ONE. I'D BUY IT FOR MY GRANDSON!
SOUNDS LIKE AN EXCELLENT WAY TO GO FOR THESE TIMES. THE AGE OF REMOTE IS NOW THE NORM. TO BAD ATHEARN DOESN'T COME OUT WITH ONE. I'D BUY IT FOR MY GRANDSON!
As not being a modeler in HO scale, I find this to be a very worthwhile deal for a beginneers model railroad, although the price is a little bit steep I believe. It should be in the $125 to $150 range (the $299 set is what I am referring to). Remember we out here are finanicially hurting. Of course I know it is not a junky Bachmann set, and I have a MTH N&W "J" passenger set I bought in 2002 that still works perfectly when I set it up, at Xmas or other special occasions.
Looks like a great starter set!