I have looked at the 2014 MTH R-t-R catalog and it looks like I may take the dive into the future! The Amtrak set fits into my layout plan. This is my first visit to this part of the forum. I thought this would never happen and then one day the thought came to me,why not buy one small set and see what happens. Not sure if I should run the other way or stick my toe in the water.
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I think the head in the water is the correct move. 
Go for it you will be happy you did
It's a great hobby. I've been in it since I was about 12 or 13...over 40 years now. Once you are hooked, you are hooked! My family members were railroaders. It's in the blood I guess.
Your set will come with the DCS Remote Commander, which I like to call "DCS Lite" since it has only a few of the functions of the full DCS system. The functions with the DCS Remote Commander include horn/whistle, bell, Start-Up and Shut-Down Sounds, Passenger/Freight Announcements, Remote Coupler Operation, Direction Control, and, of course, Cruise Control.
You can also operate the set in conventional with the usual features available in conventional control (horn and bell).
I believe you'll be pleasantly surprised with the overall quality of the set (assuming you do not own any previously purchased MTH items), and will likely be quickly persuaded to invest in the full DCS system. Certainly not a bad thing.
bptBill,
I do believe you will be glad you took the plung, after running DCS light for a short time you will be looking to purchase the full DCS, no doubt about it. Welcome to the wonderful world of remote control trains!
PCRR/Dave
If you get the full DCS with the TIU you will be able to run your older non DCS engines with the track voltage setting. I use some of my Williams with the track voltage setting with the he=and held remote on my DCS unit. Another thing you can do is add an AIU or accessory interface unit that lets you control up to ten switches or accessories from the TIU's handheld remote control after being added in to the TIU base.
Lee Fritz
Lee,
add an AIU or accessory interface unit that lets you control up to ten switches or accessories from the TIU's handheld remote control
Actually, that would be 10 switch tracks and 10 accessories for each AIU.
This and a whole lot more is all in MTH’s “The DCS O Gauge Companion 2nd Edition", available for purchase as an eBook or a printed book at MTH's web store!
Thanks Don I was watching Ed working with his modular set up in Trumbull in January. Maybe I will see you back there in a couple of weeks.
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