Alan,
My proto 2 will not run on variable track power with dcs remote. It runs great fixed dcs with all functions and from z1000 tranformer.
Have you looked at page 126 of The DCS O Gauge Companion 2nd Edition:
A PS2 engine may be operated under conventional control by doing one of three things:
• The PS2 engine may be powered on after the DCS signal has been turned off for the TIU channel(s) connected to the tracks upon which it will be operated
• The PS2 engine may be powered up with DCS active, after which the operator can press soft key FLM (Legacy Mode) to place the engine into conventional mode, with speed control turned off, until the engine’s power is turned off and then back on again
• The PS2 engine may be powered up with DCS active, after which the operator can press soft key FCM (Conventional Mode) to place the engine into conventional mode, with speed control turned on, until the engine’s power is turned off and then back on again.
What GGG is suggesting is actually bullet point #1.
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!