DCC vs. DCS

DCC is a digital control system originally developed by Lenz, who generously donated the rights for production to the NMRA who adopted it as their standard for digital control. It is used for controlling DC trains, particularly in N, HO, and O 2-rail.

DCS is the proprietary digital control system from MTH. Up until MTH entered the HO market, DCS was used exclusively for MTH 3-rail O gauge trains. With the introduction of PS3 as used in their HO and now the S gauge product line acquired from S Helper Service, the circuit boards include a DCC decoder that could be selected by the user to operate on a DCC layout rather than one equipped with DCS. When in DCC mode, an MTH loco cannot operate on a DCS signal unless it's switch (or jumper) is changed back to DCS mode. 

Bill in FtL

For command control operation of O gauge trains, DCS tends to be far more simple (intuitive) for most users than DCC.  For the operations you described, my recommendation would be to just stick with DCS.

I agree with Allan here, for your situation I'd stick with DCS.  You're mixing conventional 3-rail AC locomotives with the MTH command stuff, the DCS system with a nice transformer will handle that environment well.

I seem to recall some very detailed descriptions of the differences in some previous posts. Maybe do a search on the forum archives for that. DCC had a couple of advantages but overall if you have PS3 engines definitely DCS. Plus you can purchase Barry's book as an excellent DCS resource.

I thank you all for clearing up an issue that I was so confused about. Although I still have a lot to learn, this forum is wonderful and very helpful.