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Post by josef on Nov 15, 2023 16:13:45 GMT
I haven't purchased any new MTHs engines in a long while, but am wondering thoughts finding parts, if missing or broken and how is warranty handled if any? Do dealers take responsibility or does MTH especially with their limited runs of so many engines? Also, what about replacement parts for engines, can they be ordered?
Reason for, interested in purchasing a limited production engine.
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Post by 4dogsinjersey on Nov 15, 2023 17:15:17 GMT
The new parts site shows everything they have in stock. There are various search methods that work there. I have been able to buy parts for older engines. Many of the very new, recent releases are not reflected in the listings just yet.
The very few brand new MTH engines I have purchased, were always fine. Only one dud so far and that was a NOS engine with PS2 that was repaired by a friend.
No MTH warranty service to speak of. That may change as things from the breakup/ sell off of MTH settle out…
Tom
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Post by healey36 on Nov 15, 2023 20:58:45 GMT
The last thing I bought from MTH was two years ago, an NOS 616 Flying Yankee passenger set in "Traditional"; it ran perfectly out of the box. In total, I have about a dozen MTH locos (Tinplate Traditions, Rail King, and Premier). My experience has been mixed, with a third of them having been DOA from new. Once those issues were dealt with, however, things have been relatively problem-free. All of the issues were covered by factory warranty at the time, so other than inconvenience, it wasn't a problem. I don't know what their warranty situation is now. That said, none of my modern stuff sees extensive run-time, so my downstream experience might not be the norm.
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Post by Adam on Nov 15, 2023 22:02:09 GMT
I love MTH Walt, it's all I look for anymore. If you go with more recent PS3 engines I have found that they are usually reliable.
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Post by curtis on Nov 15, 2023 22:49:59 GMT
I am 88% MTH and love them. Of all the New engines I have purchased (10 this year alone) only one had a problem and it was covered under warranty. WARRANTY is HANDLED BY THE DEALER!!! So make sure before you purchase that the dealer has a repair service in house or uses someone to cover their warranty issues. 88% of what I own is MTH with 70% being premier. Hands down, I believe through my own experiences with Williams, Atlas, Lionel and MTH, is that MTH is the better product all around. I know others have different experiences but for me MTH has always come out on top. That doesn't mean I ONLY like MTH. I like the others too but have had some bad experiences with them. Especially Lionel.
Curtis
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Post by Country Joe on Nov 16, 2023 3:06:13 GMT
I’ve bought approximately 10 new MTH engines and all have been perfect so I don’t know about warranty repairs.
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Post by harborbelt70 on Nov 16, 2023 8:33:40 GMT
I don’t think MTH engines suffer from the same manufacturing/assembly woes as Lionel and I have never had one with loose parts in the box, but that’s just my experience. I have had one brand new MTH engine that had a board defect but there are enough repair techs and parts around to service it when I get around to sending it for repair. The absence of any effective warranty cover bothers me but personally it’s a non-issue as most of their recent dealer special runs don’t appeal to me. Overall and FWIW I think that MTH engines are more reliable than Lionel.
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Post by dennym57 on Nov 16, 2023 15:02:05 GMT
I like their tooling, but I don't care for the electronics. I had a chance to run an engine at a friends house. Too much involved in programming an engine.
Lionel has a bad rep, but that doesn't speak for every single Lionel that's sold.
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Post by trainman9 on Nov 16, 2023 18:17:09 GMT
I would be reluctant to purchase any hi end product from MTH unless the dealer will stand behind the product. Some dealers are MTH service centers hence they can make repairs but will not be reimbursed, they never were anyway, so if you are going to buy MTH go to one of their dealers who are trained to make repairs. Older items you are on your own as well as any cosmetic issues on new stuff.
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Post by josef on Nov 16, 2023 18:44:27 GMT
I'm only talking about the newly released MTH engines and if there is any warranty given with them. I have a lot older MTH engines, PS3s with nary a problem except one time but that was still when MTH had Factory warranty. I'm just interested if dealers stand behind their sales and if anyone had dealings with issues on the newly released MTH engines and if they still use the PS3 boards. On another note, on MTH engines. I one time received a MTH engine, actually twice, once were a bell was missing then were the horns on a diesel and couplers were broken. MTH sent replacement and was able to fix. Now that MTH is in different hands, do they make repairs, have pieces for replacement available in case of breakage or missing? If not from what I'm reading, MTH refunds and fixing are now in the hands of the seller, Correct? So before shelving out over 500.00, I need to ask seller if they stand behind the product for repairs or replacement?
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Post by edlloyd on Nov 18, 2023 3:50:38 GMT
My MTH Canadian Pacific Diesel is heading to the repair shop tomorrow. This is it's second time for repairs in 3 years. I don't remember what the original issue was but it was still under warranty so I took it directly to Mike's in Columbia MD. This time there is an issue with the smoke unit (not smoking) and when you turn the sound down it starts making horrible noise. Not good. I love the engine at Christmas with all the colored led lights. I have both boxcar sets: Canadian, Pacific, Christmas, Train. And Santa, Claus, Christmas, Express. I am hoping the repair is done quickly. And it isn't going to cost and arm and a leg. With that said I still think MTH has a better track record with reliability.
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Post by edlloyd on Nov 20, 2023 4:03:01 GMT
Here is an update on my MTH repair. When I brought it into the shop the owner put it on the track and played with it. He told me that the noise when I turned down the volume was from the smoke fan. With some adjustments to the volume and smoke unit he was able to get them both working. Seems odd to me but the engine appears to be doing ok now. Still not smoking a lot like I would like but the volume is good with the noise from the fan. He also told me the reason the adjustments are under the train and trucks is because of the led light strings on the top and side of the engine. It sucks have to take the train off the tracks and turn it upside down to make adjustments.
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Post by healey36 on Nov 20, 2023 16:36:34 GMT
The last thing I bought from MTH was two years ago... Picked up this Christmas Bump-N-Go trolley the other day at MainLine Hobby up in Blue Ridge Summit. First MTH purchase in a long time. Haven't cracked the box yet, so no idea if it's functional. Attachments:
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