Should I sell off all my PS2 and DCS stuff?

Keep your DCS and add Legacy. They can run together.

don't do it!there should all way's be more then one option if you can do it.

I have TMCC (and 1 Legacy loco which runs just fine with it, of course). As of last year

I have a DCS Remote Commander on my layout.

 

I prefer Lionel's system, but any Command Control is a good thing.

 

Unless you need the money or the DCS is somehow "in the way", I see no reason to 

get rid of it. Of course, the money recouped could help you make Legacy purchases.

I do run TMCC locos far more than the PS2 ones, and I only run one loco at a time -

hence the $40.00 Remote Commander.

I have DCS and legacy and find that I run mostly legacy and TMCC engines. Beings I have both I guess I will keep both systems but if I was starting out I would do just TMCC/legacy.

Put it this way, I would find running two of my favorite engines, the Lionel Erie Triplex & SF Blue Goose difficult under Legacy. 

Unless you've become bored with the hobby, to say you won't be buying anything new from here on out does not hold water.

As much as you like Legacy and Lionel, In the future you'll appreciate having the ability to choose and operate anything available from anyone more.

Keep your DCS, store it away...In time you'll thank yourself.

Joe  

I agree that you should keep both systems....  You never know what the future holds and as far as others coming to your layout to run DCS trains, just host a Mid America 3-Railers open house and I'll bet one of your fellow members will show up with a DCS locomotive!!

 

Alan

I also have "both systems" and even prefer operating many of my Sunset/3rd Rail steam models (TMCC equipped), with the Legacy Cab-2.

 

When ever we have a Run Beer, Drink Trains session, everybody runs their MTH models with DCS, while those with TMCC equipped models use either a Cab-1 or the Legacy Cab-2. Everything works well together.

Yes, sell everything to me at a discount

I have both DCS and TMCC and they each have been great. When Legacy locos and power came out I had to ask: Have i enough? Won't tech just keep improving? " I expect soon they'll have a headset that runs everything by voice or blinking! 
Anyway, if you will have fun with just one control system go for it!

I ran just TMCC for a number of years.  I finally broke down and added DCS because I like some of the engines that only MTH makes.

 

I have always thought that the cost of converting an engine from DCS to TMSS was too high.

MTH makes some nice products Lionel just isn't ever going to make.  I run both, even though I have more Lionel I wouldn't consider going back to just one or the other.

 

Your choice but gutting a MTH engine to TMCC just doesn't make much financial sense.  You won't get the correct sound set and have to settle for something more generic.

 

Jim

If there is a variety of engines in specific roadnames that you have or want to have, you may want to keep DCS as MTH usually does a great job of make engines in tons of roadnames.Lionel is getting better, but I doubt you will ever see Lionel make something like a W&LE diesel.

I run DCS & TMCC not a problem.  I like both  for different reasons.

Being someone who runs both on my own layout, I would keep both systems. You probably wouldn't get too much for the used stuff and you never know what the future might offer.

 

I think both systems have their respective strengths, and therefore I run Both. I`ve had more problems with Legacy then PS2 or PS3 and more trouble with Vision Line then anything else, but I prefer Lionel sounds, and as a balance, I prefer MTH steam detail and pulling power.

Jim,

 

I'm still in the camp of keeping both systems and controlling things with what makes sense.  I know it would be nice to have a truly "universal remote" but I'm not sure how practical it is without severely limiting your choices.  I'd keep the DCS unless you can use the money for something else.

 

I'm using my DCS to control switches (I never got the command versions of the FasTrack ones) and accessories.  I do have 2 PS2 engines but they aren't the deciding factor for me.

 

I still think that DCS is a less expensive way to control most everything on a layout.  It sort of depends where you want to draw the line on buying the various boxes necessary for Lionel.  I'm not saying Lionel is worse or better, just more expensive (IMO).

Right now, the best sounding engine I have is the Legacy PM Berkshire.  I love that engine.

TODAY  Legacy is or might be ahead of DCS. Yesterday, I would have said the opposite. Tomorrow who know which one will step up and beyond the other.

 

It doesn't hurt Legacy to wire your layout for DCS. Although, the opposite is not true. So I would keep options open and keep the DCS system.

 

I am starting to appreciate Legacy, and I like the controllers better.

I also find the signal propagation with Legacy to be better.

MTH make more stuff that I like than Lionel, but the big downside is getting them repaired can be problematic as parts and service info can be scarce. So, as things breakdown, I will convert them to TMCC. Also, you mentioned you will miss your variable power out from the TIU, well, don't forget Lionel have the TPC 300 and TPC 400 which gives you variable track power control from your Legacy handset for your conventional fleet.

I do not have any Legacy engines or the system yet.  Can't afford what Lionel is charging these days.  The big plus with DCS and PS2/3 is I can upgrade any can motor engine to PS2.  I agree Legacy sounds are better than DCS engines but my DCS engines sound better than my old railsounds 4 engines.

 

Kind of wish Legacy had upgrade kits.   I jut might have Legacy now.

Keep it... dont store it, use it. Its very easy to use both systems. You already have it and it will give you more options.

The good thing about having only one company or the other is that it keeps the train budget in line.

 Well, if you sell working PS2 boards and/or smoke units, let me know! Esp newer 2 meg ones.

 

Sell it!!

I use willpower.  That works too. 

Jdevleerjr,

 

I can speak on the fact that I have only one of the systems and the thing with having only the one system is great to the fact that "I DO NOT HAVE PAY OUT A LOT OF MONEY $$$$$$$$"  I know to most of the forum members that not a issue but for me it Quality and with a Locomotive Roster of 1-Steam and 12-Diesel I can tell you my Locomotives run great and I can keep them tuned up.

This whole thread, this topic, this choice....it's unfortunate and a canker to the O3R hobby.  (That's NOT meant to be any indictment of this thread's author.  It's a valid recurring question.)

 

I thought 'the third rail' was the principal anomaly of our segment of model railroading.  This discussion, however, reminds me how fortunate the 2-rail DC segments...O, HO, N, G, etc....are to have a command system that is standardized, available to all manufacturers, all DCC products are compatible regardless of manufacturer.  You might be inclined to add sound to your engine as a further enhancement.  It's easy to do, and easily accommodated by all of the various and sundry DCC systems.  Everyone speaks the same 'language' of DCC.  And, judging by the Trains Department customer demographics that come through the door of our store (LHS) and spend money on the hobby, FAR more young people are pursuing the 2-rail side with no hesitation in early investment in a DCC control system.  It's an easy sell.  The standardization speaks for itself.

 

This O3R argument is Beta vs. VHS...ad infinitum, ad nauseum.  We complain about the cost/price of this hobby and then put ourselves into this expensive quandary because there continues to be two 'competing' systems with complicated intercompatibilities.

 

Everyone will have their own rationalization and/or argument.  I'm one of the handful who have decided to just run it all conventionally, slash my proverbial wrists because I'm not using every embedded feature of the fully-loaded Legacy/TMCC/DCS/Whatever 2-4-6-8 loco.  It's too late, IMHO, for the two Sumo's...or the NMRA/TCA/LCCA/TTOS/etc...to come to terms with a single system.  I like all of my equipment, and they run...conventionally...just fine. 

 

Steady as you go.

 

KD

I would keep DCS. Because if you sell it you just know MTH will make that one locomotive that you have to have!

Regards

Nick

I've been running just Legacy/TMCC so far.  I am thinking about trying the DCS Remote Commander though.  Full DCS will not be in my future unless there are offerings from MTH comparable to Lionel (just my opinion).  Right now Lionel and others with TMCC are filling my roster with a few isolated exceptions from MTH.

Charlie, have Bert run the MTH Ann Arbor RS-1, it sounds like the real thing.  It would look great on your layout.  There's not as much difference between PS-2/3 and Legacy when running diesels (yes Legacy steam is a lot better).  I also need to find that MTH Russian Decapod to re-road to DT&I.  MTH has had more success with smaller steam engines than Lionel.  Although I also need a Legacy E6 Atlantic to re-road to Ann Arbor.  Sure wish we could get our local road name without having to repaint them.

Dan,

PS - its 74 degrees (7pm)

Honestly, I would sell of the MTH stuff. Not being snarky. 

I run Legacy and never bought into the idea of owning both control systems. Many do, but I think that it just looks cumbersome and sloppy. 

I prefer the streamlined simplicity of one.

A few years ago, DCS looked pretty attractive as did the small scale PRR steam that MTH had with great smoke and slow speed.

However, Lionel has closed that gap and then some. Legacy, ZW-L, smoke, cruise, detail, whistle steam, premium sound, Fastrack, etc.

I have mostly MTH engines and can't compare but I do know this:

MTH makes a lot more Road names and Different equipment than Lionel and at a lower price.

I would keep both systems. Sell any engines you have both MTH and Lionel in, but keep the one off's.

 

You will take a significant loss in any sales, keeping the system as a secondary one for those engines Lionel does not make will retain it's value and use for you.

Unless you need the money to buy more train stuff, I would just leave the DCS system in place and add Legacy to it.  That way you can always run both and never have to worry about it.

 

I mostly run Legacy / TMCC and post war conventional, but one day, MTH will make something I really want and then I'll be wishing for DCS to go with that.  In the future, I will be adding DCS, but since there's no rush, I can wait until I have an MTH engine first  and/\ or the latest DCS handheld and TIU when it comes out.

 

 

I've heard it's a real winner

I was thinking about  switching over to Legacy because of the sound.  Then...MTH puts out the Long Island RS1...its a beauty..sticking with DCS because the variety of smaller roadnames. Also, I usually turn the sound off and like the command control for the cruise control and an occasional blast of the horn or whistle.

 

Sunrise

If you have to ask, then my thoughts are that you should probably sell it.

 

Greg

Yes I kinda did, but I figured that right now my layout is wired in a star pattern for DCS and if I ever decide to go back to DCS it wouldn't be that hard to re-add a new one in. 

J,

   I love my DCS, however with the advent of the new Lionel ZW-L Transformer

I have to admit the Lionel package is some real nice engineering.  Because of my engineering background, I will eventually join the two systems together and run both a Z4K and a ZW-L, with their hand held remotes.  Remember Lionel will not be producing Tin Plate any more, MTH makes the P2 & P3 reproductions now.  If you plan to ever run Tin Plate reproductions consider keeping your DCS.

PCRR/Dave

Since DCS is my favorite, I am appalled that you would want to get rid of it.

.....

Dennis