OH NO! I think I just crossed over...

the two UP engines I own,  you enjoy them very much.    Only one smoke unit on the U-50 for your reference.   The rail detector really comes alive with DCS.

Can't help with your question as I have been running in DCS mode for 10+ years now.  I think you can fire the couplers without DCS and do the "station sounds" with conventional which would be the series of rail detection sounds.  Horn and bell of course too......

Enjoy them!

John, I've told you to "cross-over" to DCS before! You'll never look back.

 Dave

John John John what have you done?

They are good lookers though.

I know Jim, and I am so ashamed of myself... and they are diesels too!

The bell/whistle sequences for each feature consist of 1/2 second button presses separated by 1/2 second in between each press. I don't know how the Cab2 does the bell/whistle as I'm strictly DCS and conventional. Don't own any TMCC or Legacy engines. I almost bought a TMCC set at the local TCA swapmeet this past saturday-- the guy only wanted $100 for the whole enchilada(and it seemed to be new in box)--- came back a few minutes later and it was sold.

You will love the Little Joe, I went South shore instead of mlk

The cab 2 has a slide, so its hard to cycle it in a 1/2 sec increment... there has to be a trick to it though.

Nice purchases.  Enjoy them!

It is hard to stay Lionel only, when MTH offers gems like these.  The PS2/PS3 engines operate so well in conventional...plus you can still couple/uncouple without the command system.  Not sure how to figure the timing of bell and horn with the cab2.

I believe I went to the same show.  A lot of HO and traditional 0-27 1970's 80's 90's the same old cars.  Obliviously I'm into the opposite (standard O modern).  I'm glad to hear that you found something.  There's just not enough to even window shop at these shows let alone debate on what to get between two items.  Just my experience.  I wonder if it's going to get worse (like it an't already) due to BTO.  

Hopefully I will be able to run it tonight, its still in its box... I have heard that it has working pantographs that go up and down as the engine changes direction, just like the Lionel GG1's.

The  graphics are sharp.

Congrats.......I still want a Espee U-50 loco myself!

J Daddy...

post the question on the DCS forum am sure those folks can tell you how to do the whistle and bell sequence.

you might want to start thinking DCS wiring now to save hair pulling later on.

I cross too.  I was post war, then I heard about the Monon pass set, so I had to get dcs, then someone started talking about the big boy, so I had to get it and of course legacy....., then I had to switch to gragaves and ross switches so they ran better....

Considering the investment you have in those three DCS engines, plus the possibility that you might like DCS and decide to buy more, I'd advise you to go ahead and get a DCS setup. I just ordered a Legacy and I only have three or four Legacy engines. DCS and Legacy can be operated at the same time and even on the same track with no problem - the transmission methods are completely different and do not interfere with each other. 

J Daddy;

IF you only run one at a time, you can get the desired controls in a DCS Remote Commander. IR tho so you have to point it at the receiver, which is by the track and wired to it.

Startup, shutdown, Speed control, Direction shift, Bell, Whistle, Uncouple front or rear on Diesels, Volume, PFE sound sequence all at the touch of a button or two.

All for the Price of a boxcar. Think about it, I have Full DCS and still got one, it's great for small temp layouts for holidays and the Main DCS can stay on the main layout undisturbed.

It's also a cheap introduction to DCS to see if you want to go full system, which offers more controls.

"Cossed over" years ago, then crossed back, and  never looked back.  But, I am not a pure conventionalist however, because I do run LionChief Plus.  

J Daddy

I know where you can test them with DCS

Clem k 

Russell, My thoughts exactly. Very inexpensive intro to DCS.

It's natural. You can't resist. They're too efficient!!

I run DCS (and tmcc) with bricks. I got a Z4000 just for kicks. I was amazed at how well it runs MTH engines in conventional mode. Maybe you could borrow one just to try until the DCS gets there?

Well I have to agree that a simple remote would be fun to check it out, I notice they are pretty cheap on the bay.

Question about the 5 volt boards. I was warned to stay away from the earlier Proto 2 releases, why is that?

Welcome to the DCS side of the force. You'll find that DCS and TMCC/Legacy can peacefully co-exist. Of course, this now means there is an additional crop of locomotives to crush your wallet.

Welcome to the dark side!  Keep in mind that MTH also has made the U50 as a dummy and in SP bloody nose also as powered and dummy as well.  I have examples of all.  Nothing like double heading U50s!

J Daddy,

    The early P2 stuff is great stuff, I put a BCR in them and they work perfectly for ever.  I run both DCS & Legacy and love them both, if you do not have DCS invest in one, purchase Barry's DCS O Gauge Companion book and the OGR Video Guide to DCS.

Nothing wrong with any of the P2 engines, in fact IMO they are more reliable than the P3's.

PCRR/Dave

John,

Bring your engines to my house one evening and I'll show you how neat DCS is. 

I have several MTH electrics with the automatic pans and the failure rate has been around 50%.

The 4 that I have with pans (2 PS2 and 2 PS3) all work perfectly, both conventionally and under DCS.

John, welcome to the best of both worlds.  Both Lionel and MTH make some great and unique engines.  It's great to be able to run all of them. Love it when there is real competition, things keep getting better.

Dan

J Daddy the Lionel Track power controllers, like the Ford and Galancy groups use will operate the Proto2-3 engines in conventional - front and rear couplers and passenger/freight sounds with one button push.  Conventional transformers with bell and whistle buttons are easy to use once you get the correct cadence. 
Bruce

Welcome to the MTH side of the Control System Force. I have mostly MTH Engines and I am very happy with them. I have replaced all my batteries with BCRs. It takes the worry out of starting with a dead battery. The 1/2 second sequence might be tricky at first but once you get it, it becomes natural.  

Here is the last acquisition that just put me over the edge. A bundle deal for a real low price, I just could not walk away from them...

Thanks Bob, I may need your help with the Little Joe. The pantographs are set to manual and need to be set to automatic.

Beautiful Engine. My MTH GG-1, P5a and FF-1 which all have the motorized pantographs have a switch to turn it on and off.

I read the instructions... twice. No such switch called out. Where is it located?

There is a switch for electrical pick up via the pantographs... does that do both?

On my GG-1 the switch is on the bottom. On the P-5a Boxcab and the FF-1 it's located under a hatch on top.

Thanks Pat, will try it tonight... they may do both functions

The instructions did say that if they don't work it may because they are set to manual with the DCS and that I may have to set them to automatic.... but I'll throw the switch tonight!

Well no joy on the switch. It just cycles power from overhead lines or to track power.

I will have to buy a DCS remote and TIU to turn it on...

John I'm gonna have the girls wash your mouth out with soap if you keep talking this way.