Layout Switch Control

Lionel's LCS and MTH do not play together unless you buy both systems and add them together with an a hook-up cord.

MTH's DCS system will run MTH PS-2 and PS-3 engines in command control, not sure about being able to use it with Lionel Legacy engines. Lionel's Legacy won't run MTH PS-2 and PS-3 engines in command control. Legacy is "supposed to"(not sure as I don't have Legacy) be able to run TMCC as well.

 

With DCS you must buy three AIU's for switch hook-ups due to the number of switches you want to operate.

 

Lee Fritz

The Legacy system runs TMCC stuff just fine.

 

I am not as familiar with the Lionel devices, but I think you will need fewer MTH devices than Lionel devices to control your 23 switches. One DCS AIU will operate 10 switches and I think the Lionel device only does 4 or 6 switches? I think they both do accessories too, but again the AIU does 10 (in addition to the 10 switches) which I think is again more than the Lionel device, especially if you are also operating switches with it. Pretty sure the AIU will do Atlas switches (as that is what I was going to use with mine) and I would imagine the Lionel device would too.  

 

Also, if you run Lionel trains with Legacy and MTH trains with DCS there is no need to connect the two systems together with the MTH cable. Track connections to both systems are all that is needed. You only need the systems connected to each other if you want to run Lionel engines in TMCC mode with the DCS system.

If you are going to control your switches with Legacy or DCS, the hardest part is remembering which switch is assigned to what ID

 

Like RTR12 says above, you will need more components using Legacy/TMCC than DCS as you can connect more switches to 1 TIU.

 

That's why we went with an old school style control panel with toggles and LED indicator lights. We know which toggle is for which switch, and which way it's lined.. all we gotta do is take a glance at the panel.

 

You could make you a cheat sheet with the #'s... but which switch is #14

Lionel's SC-2 will control 6 switches. I use a command base and a Cab1 plus 3 SC-2's to control 13 switches at the moment.

 The problem with control panels, you can not move about the layout.

 

 

Here is how I handle accessories 18 is smoke 19 is sounds.

 Switches 7 & 8

 

 

These are sidings with a flashing LED when powered.

Be got the SC-2s and I love em. They work well but are spendy

I run my Legacy/TMCC engines with the Legacy controller, and my PS-2/3 engines with the DCS controller.  I do not try to run Legacy/TMCC through the DCS system.

 

However, for layout control (switches, track power) I think it would be simpler to choose one system and stick with it.  That way you don't have to remember which controller works which switch.  As mentioned above the DCS system using the AIU would be less expensive for your 23 switches than Lionel's products. 

 

I'm going with Lionel's Layout Control System (LCS) mainly because I'm already heavily invested in their and other TMCC products, specifically Z-Stuff DZ-2500 switches which can be control directly from the Cab2.  I like the way Lionel products work so I'd probably would stay with Lionel if I had to do it over again.

For remote switch control the only option that I'd incorporate is the lionel LCS ipad option as it give the  immediate ability to change the status of a switch with a single touch and you have the ability to have all of your switches represented visually.

I've tried using the cab-1 and legacy remotes for this and it's cumbersome.

Dcs handheld would be just as bad due to the limited visuals on the remote.

This is ipad territory

Aubv, That's a great way to keep track of the accessory index numbers.  Thanks for sharing!!!

 

Graz, I agree...I really like the appeal of the iPad GUI with LCS.  It takes the idea of a control panel (thanks laidoffsick!!!) and makes it portable.