REMOTE CONTROL

You're best bet for controlling PS 2 and 3 tinplate trains is MTH's DCS system for command control, and their Z series transformers for conventional control. The DCS system can also perform remote control of Lionel prewar tinplate in conventional model using the TIU's variable channels.  There is a remote for the MTH Z4000 transformer that allows you to control conventional trains or PS2 and PS3 in conventional mode as well.

Lionel makes the Legacy system, which with the addition of a Legacy Powermaster can remotely control trains in conventional mode (old stuff, as well as PS2 and PS3) but this is probably less facile than using the equipment designed for PS2 and PS3 which is MTH DCS and transformers.

With all command systems, whether DCS or Legacy, a local dealer familiar with the system will be an enormous asset as they are not as user friendly and trouble free as the old conventional stuff, in my opinion.

There is no reason not to run conventional locos on one loop or two, and use another loop or more for the command PS2 or PS3 locos.

As for collector value, all these reproductions have no doubt reduced the prices one can get on anything other than like new or mint tinplate, which have maintained their value because of their rarity.

Rice,

   Post your Question on the DCS Controls forum and we will help you there with all your

questions.  You will need to purchase an MTH DCS package with TIU and hand held remote control to run your P2/P3 trains unless you want to run strictly conventional.

PCRR/Dave

Yes you can operate with a remote older and new engines with Proto 2 or 3. You would need to buy an MTH TIU which will come with the remote. You can operate conventional engines via the variable voltage ports on the TIU.  As far as affecting the value of the pre war tinplate I would say no.  The old pre war that is in pristine shape with the original boxes ect. will always hold there value and will be in demand in my opinion. The older beat up stuff won't be as desirable especially when you can buy a brand new copy of some of the old classics right out of the box with all the bells and whistles. 

Re-reading the original post, is it the track that's old or the locomotives?  Age or style of track is irrelevant.

I don't know of many PS-2/PS-3 engines that are old (at least not in terms of toy train years). If you mostly have PS-2 and PS-3 equipment you should look at getting DCS.  If you have a few  true conventional engines DCS will still allow you to run the new stuff and the older stuff.  As the number of non-ps2/ps3 engines increases, the cost of DCS may become less attractive.  You need to also assess whether your new purchases will be more PS2/PS3 or more conventional or other command control engines (e.g. TMCC/Legacy).

Rice Burner,

    If you are interested in this kind of remote control system, I suggest you purchase the OGR Video Guide to DCS, Rich does a great job explaining the DCS system and shows each step for the beginner to get started and later some advanced stuff also.

I also recommend the book The DCS O Gauge Companion Vol 2, written by Barry Broskowitz, one of our own forum members.  He also participates here and is an incredible sourse of DCS information, a more helpful man you will never meet. 

Thru the years his advise has saved me many many hours of frustration.  Watch the

OGR DCS Video Guide and read Barry's detailed instructions on the building of a DCS layout, I guarantee you will be hooked on remote control trains for the rest of your life.  I own a lot of original Lionel Tin Plate Trains and the new MTH DCS Tin Plate also,

for me it was a little boys dream come true.  In reality the OGR DCS forum is one of the greatest places to learn advanced technical information about DCS, come back here often ask questions, the men here have a wealth of knowledge for constructing and running the DCS system, with lots of different kinds of trains, on many different kinds of track. 

PCRR/Dave

When you truly get addicted to the DCS remote control package you might have a power station that looks similar to this below.

PCRR/Dave:  You will hear from my attorney in the morning.  You obviously copied my patented control panel layout! 

Every time I build a layout, seems like the control panel is the last area of attention. Great plans always get 'back burnered'!  Oh well, if it works and I can maintain it......  

Did wire pushbuttons and toggles so the youngsters could operate accessories.  I can touch a wire to a terminal to unload milk cans, but kids like buttons!

Merry Christmas everyone, and a safe and prosperous new year.

The type of track is no problem when using any command control set-up.

The kind of command control is most important for O gauge! MTH stuff with MTH and Lionel with Lionel for best results.

You do not need any command control or DCS system to run MTH stuff in conventional mode. I would not suggest using PS-2 or PS-3 with conventional stuff like two GP-38's, one being PS-2 and one conventional should not be done.

The other thing about the DCS unit or TIU is that you must go to variable track power with the remote control unit to use the variable power feature.

Lee Fritz

Lee,

 Are you saying that you can operate a MTH Train Set with PS-2 or PS-3 with a conventional transformer but not have the digital effects?

Thanks,

John

You have access to some of the sound effects without DCS, not the full range.  You would also have to be adept at doing voltage swings on the transformer and fairly fast buton presses on the sound activation buttons.  Kind of like sending morse code dits and dots.

There is now an inexpensive way to most of the benefit of the PS-2 and PS-3 engines.

The DCS Remote Commander is only $50 and will run any of those engines in Command mode. There is a limitation, EVERY DCS engine on the tracks will do the exact same thing when you press a button. It was designed to include in Starter Sets and the engine must be in Factory Reset condition. As long as it has not been loaded into a DCS system it will meet this need.

However, This will not control Conventional engines at all. They will take off at full speed !

Be aware of this and you are golden. Just use a Switch to go from conventional to Command modes depending on the engine on the track.