Just getting into O gauge DCS

Ray, Protosound 1 is conventional control with sounds and some features activated by bell and whistle buttons. Old tech. Protosound 2 is full blown command control of the engine via DCS(along with conventional operation via bell/whistle buttons). An upgrade of PS1 engines requires a full gut job of the PS1 electronics and replacement with PS2 electronics. cost about 200$. Biggest problem is that if the PS1 engine has special sounds(like my 1 PS1 engine) you will lose them. So PS1 is good if you do mostly conventional running. Some will say not to buy PS1, i won't.

Yes, there is a search feature-- it's up on the top bar-- just click on the search button.

Hope this helps-- 

If you join the MTH RR Club, you can buy the PS/2 upgrade kits for $150, that's as cheap as you'll find them anywhere.  You can install it yourself if you're technically inclined, but if you don't feel comfortable ripping into the engine, it's best to get someone to install them.

Ray; don't know about the Yahoo group but MTH is active on their facebook page.

I too am holding onto a couple PS1 engines for the sound sets in them.

I'm considering putting TMCC command control in them. and keeping the sounds.

Ray, PS2s are just a lot more fun than PS1s.

Here are photo records of PS1 engines I have upgraded with the PS2 Upgrade kits.

MTH PS2 Upgrades

I have both MTH PS-1 and PS-2 engines in my collection. I have purchased several PS-1 engines since I wanted certain road names and manufacturer versions not currently available with PS-2. 

Since you can run both PS-1 and PS-2 using the MTH DCS command system you do not have to upgrade every engine to PS-2 versions.  Unless you have a very special engine type or roadname it is usually not cost effective to change out the PS1 systems in older engines.  You could also swap shells on your PS-1 version  if you can find another same model type which has PS-2 already installed.

Another option is to double or triplehead engines using PS-1 dummies along with one or more powered PS-2 engines. I plan to run at least five CSX engines at a time. I may just temporarily pull the PS-1 motors out some of my older CSX engines so that I can operate multiple engines at a time using PS-2 and DCS command control.  In this instance I would leave all the PS-1 circuits boards etc. in place. The lighting circuits would still be operational.

I will also occasionally be running only PS-1 engines on my layout using the MTH command system since I have a number of vintage NYC and Pennsylvania engines. My layout has extensive block control so that I also do run “conventional power” Lionel and Williams engines.

Uhh... You can't really run PS/1 locomotives in command mode anywhere, they don't offer that capability.  You can use the DCS system to run them like conventional engines, just like any other conventional engine.

Obviously, you know this, but your comment about running them with MTH DCS command is confusing to someone that might not understand that fact.

I'm really confused about pulling the PS/1 motors out, in a PS/2 conversion, that's one of the few things that you leave in place!  Also, there usually isn't room for the PS/1 electronics and the PS/2 electronics, not sure what you're actually thinking here.

Gunrunner, Seems to me he's just  making dummy units by pulling the motors.

Oh, I didn't catch that.  You're right, I see it now, double or triplehead, plain as day.

Sorry about the bit of confusion. I want to run multiple CSX lash-ups.  I have several older PS-1 versions.  I was talking about just removing the motors from the PS-1 engines to allow running them as 'Dummies". This is a good choice for "dead" engines which would not be cost effective to upgrade to PS-2.  A second choice is to buy dummy models in the first place if you can find them.

PS: I am looking for CSX engines on the open market.  PS-1 or PS-2 or dummies.

I think the confusion was mine, not yours.  I just missed the mention of dummies.