Entry level DCS, DCC command control ect...

Greetings breadfan;

IF you have a MTH PS2 or PS3 engine your least cost intro is the DCS Remote Commander set.

MSRP under $50 and well under that at my LHS.

It has limits as it is an intro system

Control only 1 engine at a time, all others must be powered off. (actually any number of PS2 or 3 engines will all do exactly the same thing as you command it)

Check out the my posts in the DCS sub board for the details.

Beyond that: DCS full system is MSRP $300

Up to 99 trains at once, full bidirectional comm with each engine.

Add a $100 AIU and control 10 accessories and 10 switches. Daisy chain up to 5 AIU's to 50 accy's and 50 switches under your command.

TMCC by Lionel is Out of Production but common.

Legacy is Lionel's current offering, modular, cost varies.

Note DCS with a Lionel Base & MTH cable can control TMCC or Legacy in TMCC mode.

Legacy or TMCC can not control MTH engines in Command made.

MTH's PS3 engines include a DCC reciever if you want to go that way.

They do not have as much control in DCC as they do in DCS.

Edited to add AIU and specify Lionel linkup control mode.

The remote for the Thomas will never control switches and the like.

For inexpensive entry into command operation, I'd probably look around for a used TMCC CAB1/Command Base set.  You can convert conventional locomotives to command control (without sound) for $60-70 using the Electric RailRoad stuff.  If you want sound, then it's about $90 more.

MTH DCS is also an option, those conversion kits cost $180.  The DCS system is around $250-300 street price.  Of course, there's the Lionel Legacy that's a similar street price and will run the TMCC stuff.

IMO nothing beats MTH for entry level command equipment.  Same exact electronics as in their $1000 full scale steamers and a good number of features can be controlled with the transformer whistle and bell buttons.

--Greg

Yes, I have looked at the MTH remote for 50.00, which is a good price. I guess I will have to buy a PS2 or 3 engine t get it all started or, do the MTH DCS conversion kits work with this remote? Thanks guys for making me feel welcome!

Any MTH PS/2 or PS/3 locomotive works with the DCS Remote Commander, including any locomotives upgraded with the PS/2 upgrade kits.

Welcome Breadfan,

I know that the MTH system with DCS can also operate with controlled track voltage option for conventional engines. The newer DCS remote commander may not have the track voltage control feature.

Do not know for sure if Legacy by Lionel has that feature or not.

I mention this so that you don't spend a whole lot of money first thing with getting any command control system. Like others have mentioned command control in O gauge can get a little expensive.

At any rate it sounds like you are familier with H.O.'s DCC system, here with O gauge it is a horse of a differant color so to speak, in plain English things work differantly in O gauge trains.

Lee F.

The DCS Remote Commander is a simple system that has no capability for controlling track voltage, and thus does not operate conventional locomotives.

If you want conventional control with TMCC or Legacy, you need either a PowerMaster or a TPC in addition to the command system.

I'm soaking this all in and exploring the many and some expensive options... My dad has one of the Lionel systems but the MTH is very appealing to me.

My choice is DCC all the way...starter sets for under $200.00 like the 5 amp NCE PowerCab built in the USA 

DCS or TMCC/Legacy just cannot do what DCC can do..for starts hows open source sound? Multiple manufacturers having multiple products that can all run/ operate on the DCC platform drives down component cost.

DCC I agree is great for scale O,HO and N having tried digitrax and NCE. If you add tether free handhelds to your NCE it's more costly, The tethered aspect I do not care for. I respectfully disagree with the capabilities of the DCS, TMCC, LEGACY systems I think they are more user friendly and fun to use.