Which Lionel items do I need to run Lionel Engines with my DCS SYSTEM? I have a GP Dieseil Locomotive that I would like to upgrade to command control and able to run it. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks.
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You would be better off investing in either TMCC or Legacy as these will run Lionel engines.
DCS is for MTH engines with PS-2 & 3. DCS won't run Lionel engines in command mode, at least not that I know of.
If you really want to upgrade an older engine to DCS you would do better to contact 'gunrunnerjohn' or 'GGG' on here.
Lee Fritz
If you just have one, I think Lee is correct, just upgrade it to PS/3 and run it using DCS. For a TMCC upgrade, which is a similar price, you'd need at least the TMCC command base and the MTH TIU<->TMCC cable as well.
phillyreading posted:DCS is for MTH engines with PS-2 & 3. DCS won't run Lionel engines in command mode, at least not that I know of.
Lee Fritz
This is misleading. I have a Lionel TMCC engine that I run with my DCS remote. I bought an old, cheap command base on eBay and a cable to connect it to my TIU. I add the Lionel engine to my DCS remote and it runs just like my MTH engines. You are correct that it is not truly being operated by DCS, but I don't need a complete separate system to use it. I also like being able to see the TMCC features on the DCS remote, which you cannot see on the Cab-1 remote.
If this engine currently has no command board in it, there are several options. If you are planning on being primarily DCS, then I would upgrade the engine with a PS2 or PS3 board as Gunrunnerjohn suggests. If you would consider a Lionel system, there are TMCC, Legacy, Electric RR and several other upgrade options. I might suggest hiring one of the techs on this forum to do your install. It will save you aggravation and they will definitely not 'toast' your board by mistake.
George
I did not know that you could upgrade Lionel engines with MTH Parts. Would this upgrade have the sound, un couplers, along with the command mode? Sounds like that might be the best route for me to go. How do I go about getting the PS3 upgrade for my GP Diesel? What are we looking at cost wise?
DCS upgrade kits come with all the parts (lights, coupler). It should work as long as your engine has a flywheel. Not sure exactly what the going rate is. Others on here will know for sure. Maybe $175 for the kit plus labor, $300 all in?
The DCS PS/3 upgrade would have the whole shooting match, sound, cruise control, electrocouplers, directional lights and markers, etc.
I've upgraded Lionel, Williams, MTH, and 3rd Rail locomotives with both TMCC and DCS, whatever the customer desires. I've even taken TMCC out and upgraded to DCS and taken DCS out and upgraded to TMCC. I'm currently queuing up a couple of MTH PS/2 locomotives to upgrade to TMCC, the owner has decided to go all Lionel. Once you get past the electronics, the basics of the locomotive are very similar, a motor, gears and drive wheels. 
Moeman, To operate a Lionel engine with DCS is a vague question.
IF conventional Lionel, you can use VAR1 or 2 of the TIU on a separate loop of track and operate any conventional engine from your DCS remote.
If you want to operate a Lionel Command engine, you need a Lionel engine that has TMCC or Legacy. A Lionel Command base (either TMCC or Legacy) and an MTH cable that connects the Lionel Command base to the TIU. At that point you can load the Lionel engine into your remote and operate the engine on your command layout. G
