Please help me pick a controller

Sounds to me like legacy all the way.  

Unfortunately, you have asked a question that will generate a lot of answers, and most them based on the responders' individual preferences.  Before you make a decision, I would suggest that you go to you LHS or bookstore and get Kalmbach Publishing's book on command control.  It gives an unbiased look at both systems and will help you to learn quite a bit.  After I read it, I decided that the best choice was to have both.  But that's just me.

Good luck with your railroad empire.

BTW, if you have questions that are specific to TMCC/Legacy or MTH DCS, you can go that forum and post your query there.

Get the Lionel Legacy system. You can control both TMCC and Legacy engines with it.

DCS won't work with Legacy unless you have both set-ups and the companion cable; Legacy & DCS. At least that is my understanding on it.

Lee F.

If you don't plan on buying anything but Lionel (and Atlas, Weaver, and 3rd Rail ), get the Legacy system.

You'll need both Legacy and MTH DCS if you want to run all the above PLUS any PS2 or PS3 MTH engines.  In addition, you may have to get another power supply.

thanks for the replys. what would be a good legacy set to get? I want to get everything I need in 1 shot. thanks

ABSOLUTELY!  That book is very helpful!

That being said, here is my $.02.  Before I say anything else, it really only comes down to Legacy/DCS unless you already have (or can get a cheap TMCC set (not likely))  

If I were starting over, I would consider a few things.  First, what do I already own?  If I have only trains from one manufacturer, then I'd start with their controller.  In your case, that's Legacy.  Starting with a controller for what you have is (IMHO) always the best advice but there is more...

Next, what are your plans going forward for buying more engines?  Are you going to stick with one manufacturer?  Some do but realistically, you will probably end up with more engines and they will be controlled by different systems.  And don't forget "conventional control".

It is also important to consider how you are going to control other aspects of your layout from accessories to switches to lighting.  There are different ways to go but add up the cost of a few scenarios.  You may find one system sticks out as being better for you.

What I did was to buy both.  I started with TMCC for my Atlas engines and purchased DCS to run them along with my PS-2 engine.  I always planned to use DCS to control everything and not just the engines.  When I was surprised by a Legacy Engine as a gift, it made sense to get the Legacy controller as well.  Legacy and DCS have worked together for me without any problems and this is what I usually recommend.  However, only you can really decide what works best for you because of all the variables.  Good Luck!

Start with the remote and base.  Play with it for a while.  Get the book look at the different scenarios.

I think for now Legacy is the way I will go. thanks for the help. Now I need to know what legacy system I need to buy. thanks again lots of good info here and super fast replys 

You need the #990 Legacy Command Set (6-14295).  It is the set with the base and the Cab-2 controller.  The other set is just a Cab-2 controller with a charging cradle - no base.

Andy