dcs

1drummer

Welcome to the forum.  Tell us about your experience with DCC.  What command control hardware have you been using?  Is your motive power mostly steam or diesel?  Are you considering using DCS for HO or or moving to O?

There are many things to like about DCS and PS2/PS3.  Adding engines is easy thanks to 2 way communication.  Consisting is easy too thanks to the linear speed control on every engine, no time wasted speed mapping engines.  Sounds are great and the integration of sound, smoke and speed control is top notch.  What features attracted you or are you most curious about?

I'd like to echo Ted's welcome.

Are you looking for 2-rail O?

For 3-rail, there was a book which I found helpful: "Command Control for Toy Trains" put out by Kalmbach.  It discusses the differences between the two major systems (DCS and Legacy) pretty well.

Which system is best for you depends on your situation and how you want to run your trains.  Do you want to run command only or do you also want to be able to run conventional engines?  Do you run engines only from Lionel or MTH or do you run both?  Do you have TMCC engines from another manufacturer?  Do you want to control switches and accessories?

On my layout, I am using both DCS and Legacy.  I have found that it is less expensive to control my switches and accessories using DCS so that is the route I have chosen for them.  I also use DCS to control most of my engines including the conventional ones.  Though it can control Legacy engines, it puts them in TMCC mode which does not give me access to all of their features so I also have Legacy.  My Legacy remote has (or will have) all my TMCC and Legacy engines and that will be what I use to control them.

I bought my dcs/ tui ( got a deal!)  I started with a loco sound Christmas train (4-6-2 Bantam 30-4095-0) and it was supposed to be mth would make a compliant system ( as I was told by the LHSO) not the case, obviously..then I got a used set from a pawn shop( another deal Pennsylvania 2-8-0 30-4092-1  ps2)   have also got a few cars ( 18 so far) for discount at my new LHS...so now I am looking for a deal on another set or engine maybe diesel  ..I ran Digitrax..Empire Builder 2 on my HO..55 engines  mostly diesel...with about 500 rolling stock...I will build another HO layout when Ican find my "moto" for my "vation"  ,I laid it down somewhere and cant remember where..but the MTH stuff is quick  and will go around the walls on a single track .with 2 passing tracks  and a 5'w by 25' l yard..should keep me busy for a little while..just need a deal on some more track..my other Not So LHS send 10% off coupons so I get track with that..but I want 36" sections with solid rail not hollow....so will have to buy used...

I really enjoy my HO diesel and steam with sounds engines...and the MTH has a good sound set up and the smoke/chug  is "fun", we had a Christmas party a while back and the children ran the smoke ( used a whole bottle) it looked like a rock concert in my basement  ..so I want to run a circle train and have some switching ..and I like model trains and the only reason I have small scale is because my wife wont let me have full scale...

Welcome to the DCS Forum - your "one stop shop" for all things DCS, PS2 and PS3!  

As you may or may not know, your DCS can operate all of your trains, not just those that are PS2 or PS3. Your Locosound engine will run just fine using the TR screen on your DCS Remote.

If you want to come up to speed on all of the things that DCS has to offer, most of which is not in the DCS Users Guide, and to maximize your DCS experience, I suggest that you purchase a copy of The DCS O Gauge Companion 2nd Edition, as have literally thousands of DCS enthusiasts before you. It's the only book dedicated to DCS and will provide you with both a DCS primer as well as a DCS reference text. I guarantee you that it will be the best purchase that you'll ever make as regards operating MTH's DCS.  

Literally everything you could ever want to know about DCS is all in "The DCS O Gauge Companion 2nd Edition", now available for purchase as an eBook or a printed book from MTH's web store site! Click on the link below to go to MTH's web page for the book!

Barry I already bought your book...maybe I am missing something , but my DCC Digitrax did not require a second book..it was all there...in the manual...what gives??/

but my DCC Digitrax did not require a second book..it was all there

Put the DCS User Guide and either edition of The DCS O Gauge Companion side-by-side and compare their respective format and content. The difference in presentation format and information provided should be obvious.

yes size is important..but all I want to do is run a few trains..its a hobby  I am not trying to take over the world..and "user friendly" is the ultimate goal...but your book is a good book..

I am not trying to take over the world..and "user friendly" is the ultimate goal...

1Drummer

For user friendliness on a small to medium layout DCS is tough to beat.  Hook it up, add engines and access features with intuitive menus.  I have seen some 60 hear olds have a hard time but every 6 year old I have handed a DCS remote to has enjoyed running trains without much need for instruction.

And for those of us trying to take over the world (from Joyce Dewitt) with DCS Barry's book is an essential reference. It puts the collected wisdom of the power users at everyone's finger tips.

DCS has capabilities and growth potential that are lacking with the designed by committee systems. I can't wait to see what the next cycle of product improvements brings to us.

I think the how well the included user manual communicates depends on the audience.  Some things are clear but others are harder to understand.  Good technical writing is a skill.  The DCS manual explains things but Barry explains them (IMHO) more clearly and completely.