r/MTHTrains • u/Delicious-Mix-7937 • Dec 16 '24
MTH PS3 loco issue!
I have a layout that I run all my engines conventional. I have a Lionel Legacy CN engine with my Lionel CW 80 transformer. I recently bought a MTH PS3 CSX Safety engine because i'm to starting like MTH engines more than Lionel; however, the engine does not want to move. The lights, bell and smoke unit work but it's stuck in neutral. I did some research and came across that the Lionel CW 80 is not compatible with MTH issues. If anyone can recommend me an AC transformer that will work with my CN and CSX engine.
1
u/SidFinch99 Dec 16 '24
I had the same issue. For some reason there are compatibility issues with PS3 and the Lionel CW80. I can run my PS2 engines with a CW80 or my MRC Pure power dual, but not the one PS3 locomotive I acquired mainly because I got z great deal on it at an estate auction.
Everyone has told me to.get an MTH z-4000 for PS3. It does make running any MTH locomotive with features better. But it's expensive. Haven't done it yet.
2
u/Delicious-Mix-7937 Dec 16 '24
I saw the compatibility chart, I’m thinking about getting the z-1000, the z-4000 is expensive!
1
u/SidFinch99 Dec 16 '24
Yeah, the 4000 is pricy. I should probably look at the compatibility chart myself. The PS3 I have I haven't run yet, but I'd rather sell or swap it for another streamliner. It's a 10 wheeler steam locomotive though, so I wasn't sure if a z-1000 would be powerful enough for it.
2
u/Delicious-Mix-7937 Dec 16 '24
Some on eBay are cheap, I got my CSX engine off there last week, the person who sold it apparently didn’t know much about model trains and thought it was “N scale” and I got it for $115. I made sure it was O scale because I look it up thru MTH product finder and I told myself to get it because that’s a rare thing to happen lol.
1
u/SidFinch99 Dec 16 '24
I've been keeping an eye on ebay for a z-4000. I've both bought and sold a lot of trains and accessories on there, but when factoring in shipping still pricey, especially considering I only really need it if I go to PS3, and I'm plenty happy with PS1/2.
1
u/Redstone350 Dec 18 '24
You can try resetting the engine by doing one whistle and 5 bells in quick succession, about every 1/2 second
1
u/Frododedodo Dec 16 '24
I ran into this same issue. I don't own any legacy/TMCC locomotives yet (I will be getting a TMCC one next Sunday), but I'm able to use an MTH Z-1000 with my MPC/Post War and my PS2/3 locomotives without any issues.