Model Train Journal

Will a semi-scale conventional power MTH F-3/7?? operate in consist with a K-Line semi-scale FA? I.e., are they geared compatibly? Thanks for any opinions in advance, definitely not my area of expertise.

They may. If you lock the e -units in fwd since both are conventional. The MTH engine - does it have PS2/3 & you are just operting it conventional or is it a PS1 model?

It's a Rail King model and doesn't appear to have any sort of control system, i.e., conventional control. The box say electronic reverse, but no sound cards or control systems. The other locomotive it would be lashed up to is a K-Line FA. I'm two rail myself but having helped out with some kiddo's and boy scouts, I've now become their de facto "expert" on such questions. This is about a purchase decision recommendation, the rest of the 3-rail layout it would go to is K-Line motive power. All conventional, no DCC, DCS, or whatever on it.

If you can test the connection before buying I would strongly recommend doing that. Put them on the same track a few inches apart and have them do a couple of laps. If they stay roughly the same distance apart it should work.

Do either engines (or both) have traction tires? That could effect how they handle tight turns.

Chuck is right, but there is another option: simply run a dummy FA with your F3/7.

Tom Dempsey wrote:It's a Rail King model and doesn't appear to have any sort of control system, i.e., conventional control. The box say electronic reverse, but no sound cards or control systems. The other locomotive it would be lashed up to is a K-Line FA. I'm two rail myself but having helped out with some kiddo's and boy scouts, I've now become their de facto "expert" on such questions. This is about a purchase decision recommendation, the rest of the 3-rail layout it would go to is K-Line motive power. All conventional, no DCC, DCS, or whatever on it.

Hmm. I thought all RailKing locomotives were equipped with DCS (Proto-2)? How old is this locomotive? If you have the MTH part number, e.g 30-xxxxx, you can find it on the website and determine exactly what it has.

George

agree, a model number would help. I would think the gearing would be similar, but the only way to tell is to put them both on the track & see

Up until 2000, MTH equipment either had a set of PS-1 boards or a QSI DCRU with a horn/whistle/bell board. This was true for both Premier and RailKing. I THINK the suffix code on the engine indicated whether it had PS-1 or DCRU, aka a zero or a one but I can't remember which was which. A one might make sense, aka PS-1?

I seem to remember the term QSI on the box when I looked at it. I got the impression that it was "conventional" so it would work with the rest of the layout. My concern was whether it was geared similarly enough to consist with the K-Line stuff. I don't know about the wheel treads, of course, K-Line have traction tires on four wheels. It seems from reading some past posts on three rail forums that different brands don't work and play well with each other. Previously, my experience has been gearing was the main concern, however, this is all based on two rail layouts with standard DC polarity control. I think I'll recommend he take a pass on this deal.

By the way, thanks to all of you for weighing in on this, it is greatly appreciated.

QSI would be appropriate for DCRU or PS-1 as they designed/built both. PS-1 is based on QSI command/sound board version 1.25, aka between 1 and 1.5

Did they just buy it off evilbait from remember-then?
I know we gutted a whole bunch of PS1's and did QSI DCRU's of two or three different part numbers...

I assume your KLine FA is O27. Those have can motors in the trucks with spur gears. Your MTH should have vertical cans with worm drives. Gearing ratios may be quite different but speed could be close. As others say, run them on the same track uncoupled at different voltages to see the differences. They should be close. Otherwise you'll tear up traction tires.