Upgrading conventional locomotives to DCS??

I always like it when people compare an apple to an orange and declare victory.

I think it is best to go into the argument with what capability you want, than compare the cost to get that.

MTH upgrade kits up until the release of PS-3 provide you the exact same capability as their top of the line Premier engine with everything included to upgrade a bare bones engine. (Harnesses, couplers and lights and LEDs).

A single small foot print board that is universal in that you can load the sound file of your choice.  Diesel one day, steam the next, or passenger or freight.

Integrated speed control, integrated sounds, and integrated smoke, with full feature control of all the lighting circuits.  Nothing is still powered from the track.

Cost is $180 MSRP and $150 to Club Members, shipping extra.

Lionel doesn't provide you all of that.  Legacy is not available.  What is provided is TMCC and RailSounds via ERR.

The Cruise Commander with R2LC list for $120 no sounds.  The modular ones are not stand alone.  They are meant to replace an existing TMCC non cruise board.  Yes if you want a non cruise command set up your looking at $70.  To add sound it is $85 for diesel and $90 for Steam.  You pick it and you got it.  Neither option gives you synchronized Smoke.

There are advantage and disadvantage to both.  Lionel is considered to have the best sound, MTH is considered to have better speed control though Lionel has caught up significantly.  MTH has the better smoke.

In the end you need to determine what you want to do, what system you prefer.

ERR does give you better options for small engine and accessory operations.

MTH was giving it's customers back fit to there PS-1 engines. They were the first, and it turned into it's own industry.  Next year or so, the PS-3 kits will be come available. 

G

Mike's second point above nails my situation. What got me going on this thread is that I absolutely LOVE the blue Union Pacific MOPAC Heritage paint scheme. It's right up there with the New Haven Mcginnis and Santa Fe Warbonnet paint schemes. The Lionel and MTH engines in this paint scheme are both north of $400 and even on eBay they're hard to find for much less than that. OTOH Williams made a SD90 in the MOPAC Heritage scheme and you can find them new for as little as $100. Even when you factor in $150 for a PS2 board that's still a $150 savings. True it's apples/oranges as the MTH/Lionel engines are much more detailed but I'm not concerned with 100% accuracy and would rather have an extra $150 to spend on more rolling stock. 

Just a reminder. The $150 price for a PS2 upgrade kit is only if you spring for the annual MTH Railroad Club membership, which will add at least $25 to that price. There's no free lunch in upgrades for either Lionel or MTH .  Becomes much more cost effective if you're buying more than one kit, obviously.