Cap 1 L and mth proto sounds two and three clarification

You can only operate MTH PS2 & PS3 engines in command mode with a DCS system.

But because you have the TPC300, you can control the track voltage with the Cab-1L remote, which will allow you to run the PS-2/3 locomotives like conventional locomotives.

Jerry A,

    If you want to get the most out of your MTH P2/P3 Engines invest in the full DCS unit.  In fact if you want to get the best out of your full layout, invest in both DCS & Legacy and run both P2/P3 and TMCC/Legacy all at one time.  Jerry what RTR12 is saying is that any type of Lionel Remote Control will not run P2/P3 engines via Command Control.  Also DCS will run 95% of TMCC/Legacy functions via command control.  Further with the full DCS and the Z4K Transformer, set up with the side receiver, you can control all Command Control & Conventional Engines even at the same time.

PCRR/Dave 

Thanks guys but I am a little confused. What would happen if I have a ps2 engine and try to run it with my cab 1l TPC 300 and postwar Lionel zw? If I am in conventional mode with the TPC 300 will I get most of the rail sounds with a ps2 engine? I will look dcs system though.

Much thanks Jerry

By the way what DCS system would you recommend on top of the system I have? I am not familiar with DCS at all but I would like to look into it and will appreciate your advice very much.

Thank you very very much, Jerry

The full DCS system, TIU and Remote 50-1001. This is the one you want for O gauge.

I am not familiar with the TPC-300 so I can't say what all you will get in conventional mode? I will leave that to others that know.

You can operate PS2 and PS3 using your Cab 1L and TPC.  It will be in conventional mode.  You will be able to sound the bell and whistle.  I have a legacy powermaster in place of a tpc.  With that, it will also simulate the fast button presses to trigger the couplers using the Cab1l coupler buttons.  I am not sure if the TPC will do this or not.

The TPC has all the same features as the PowerMasterL as far as running PS2 & 3 engines. Bell, Whistle, Couplers and Passenger/Freight sounds.

Jerry A posted:

By the way what DCS system would you recommend on top of the system I have? I am not familiar with DCS at all but I would like to look into it and will appreciate your advice very much.

Thank you very very much, Jerry

It sounds from your original post that you are running exclusively conventional despite having a few locomotives equipped with Trainmaster Command Control (TMCC). Are you simply using the Cab 1L and TPC combo as a "portable transformer handle"?

If so, your MTH locomotives will respond pretty much the same. They won't do everything they're capable of, but more or less the same as what you're getting out of your TMCC-equipped locos, (which in turn is a bit more than you're getting out of your postwar equipment).

DCS is one system. You get a remote and a control box similar to your Cab 1L and Command Base, except the DCS control box (the "TIU" or Track Interface Unit) has the built-in capability to also function like your TPC, 

You can use DCS and TMCC together on the same track if you want to experiment with command operation, the two systems won't conflict with one another.

---PCJ

RAILRIDE has you pretty well covered here.  PS2/3 engines will run just as they would under conventional control with your setup, except you will also have access to the couplers and I believe some of the announcements... the same as you could with the correct combination of whistle/bell button presses right from a transformer.  

I expect all the normal running sounds will work just fine, but you won't have access to any DCS only features.  I would take a look at the instruction manual for the locomotives you are thinking about.  I just typed ps3 into the search box and clicked on the first instruction manual, this one for a "Premier 4-6-2 PS-4 Steam Locomotive" http://mthtrains.com/sites/def...ction/20st19404i.pdf

Pages 8-14 of the manual show what functions can be accessed and how to access them.  your TPC300 will do many of these things for you by pressing the usual buttons on the CAB1 that you would on a TMCC engine.  In the case of the sample 4-6-2 locomotive it has the following features accessible via conventional control:

Marker Lights*  1 Bell, 1 Horn/Whistles
PFA (Passenger/Freight Announcements)  1 Bell, 2 Horn/Whistles
Fire the Rear Coupler  1 Bell, 3 Horn/Whistles
Fire the Front Coupler  1 Bell, 4 Horn/Whistles
Speed Control On/Off  1 Horn/Whistle, 2 Bells (from Neutral only)
Lock into a Direction  1 Horn/Whistle, 3 Bells
Reset to Factory Defaults  1 Horn/Whistle, 5 Bells (from Neutral only)

In addition squealing brakes activate automatically when you slow down quickly, and random cab announcements are played if the engine sits in neutral for a while.  Also start up and shut down sounds play automatically.  

I would recommend seeing how you like what you get with one MTH engine running it on your current setup.  If you find it to your liking and purchase a few more, then spend the $300 on the DCS system and unlock the full feature set of your locomotives... There is no need to jump all the way in at once... especially if you are used to running conventional engines anyway.  

I do not currently own any PS2 or PS3 locomotives, but others have said more than once on this forum, that the detail of these engines is typically better than comparable products by the competition, BUT the sound are better on the other brand's engines.  My recommendation is to see if you can get a local hobby shop to run one for you before you pull the trigger, to see if it is to your liking.  

JGL

Ok, thank you very much for your input it is made my decision making easy now. I will try 1 ps2 or 3 engine and see how that goes. If necessary I will end up with the DCS system.

Thank you again very very very much for all your input, if it wasn't for you guys I would be back to building model airplanes and crashING them.

jerry 

Jerry A,

    I did not check to see where you live, if you live in the Pa area, you are welcome to bring one of your P2/P3 Engines and operate it on my DCS/Legacy layout, when you have the time.  This way you can actually see how you like it, and what it actually takes to set it up on your layout.

PCRR/Dave

Thank you very much but I am in Michigan.