What do I need to run an MTH Premier engine?

You just need a transformer. They run fine in conventional and you will still get most of the sounds.

Pete

I think there is the DCS commander or DCS lite that will let you run a couple of engines with it and costs less then the full DCS.

Not sure if DCS will access all Lionel TMCC features.

I have 5 MTH engines with PS-2 and I have the full DCS system. I would have bought some Lionel TMCC engines or Legacy but I was told that I would need the TMCC or Legacy system in addition to the MTH DCS, so I have not bought any new Lionel with TMCC or Legacy in them.

Lee Fritz

Norton posted:

You just need a transformer. They run fine in conventional and you will still get most of the sounds.

Pete

While most transformers will work with MTH engines, some do not. I have had personal experience with a premier engine refusing to do what I wanted. I talked with my LHS and they told me that I should get one of MTH's "Z" transformers. I bought one and my engines have been running fine ever since. Before you buy the engine, go to the MTH website and download the manual for that particular engine from the site. Near the back, there will be a transformer compatibility chart. Most engines have them. It is reasonably "safe" to run a MTH engine with one of those transformers listed. But, IMO, get the DCS system if you are going to get a lot of Premiers.

Just my 0.02.

Here is a sample transformer compatibility chart on a BNSF AC4400 MTH item # 20-2629-1.

http://mthtrains.com/sites/def...ction/20dl18507i.pdf

EDIT: I just tested the link. It works but it starts out at the top of the manual, so skip down to page 24 for the transformer compatibility chart.

I think there is the DCS commander or DCS lite that will let you run a couple of engines with it and costs less then the full DCS.

What you want is the DCS Remote Commander. It will allow operation of 1 PS2 or PS3 engine with a subset of DCS commands. MSRP is $50.00. However, you would control your TMCC engines with whatever controller you currently use, or conventionally.

Not sure if DCS will access all Lionel TMCC features.

A DCS Remote and TIU combination will allow use of all TMCC functions of TMCC and Legacy engines, but not Legacy-only functions. In addition, you would need a Lionel TMCC, Cab1L or Legacy Command Base, and a cable to connect it to the DCS TIU.

This and a whole lot more is all in MTH’s “The DCS Companion 3rd Edition", available for purchase from many fine OGR advertisers and forum sponsors, or as an eBook or a printed book at MTH's web store!

Bite the bullet and buy DCS! You won't be sorry. Besides, since you now realize MTH quality and variety, you can buy more stuff.

Dave G.

since you have a budget start with a good transformer and track they are the building bocks to a great system then when you are ready to expand then do a control system you can get a lot out of your loco with a good transformer so have fun and enjoy and when you are ready to move into more then take the plunge

I was unsure when I was thinking  about buying DCs but I purchased the complete set it was only the cost, but I'm glad I purchased it and really love the full control of running the PS 2 and PS 3 engines and lately I just purchase the Lionel trainmaster command set so I can control Lionel command engines now,I'm just getting use to the cab 1 remote but simply love it. Next I want to learn how to run the DCS Legacy engine with dcs control, have not fully figured that out yet but reading Barry's DCS companion trying to learn the DCS control of the Legacy Lionel engines.

I believe this is the best world to be able to run TMCC and DCS on the same track at the same time!

It's great would highly recommend purchasing DCS full system !

Alan Mancus

hi if your interested in the An AC6000, Dash 9, AC4400, ES44AC GEVO I believe my local hobby shop has one you can call them , if interested let me know and I'll send you an email!

Alan

I would also recommend getting the full DCS system, you won't be disappointed. I know you liked the Premier engines, but MTH also offers the RailKing Imperial line that has details and features close to that of the Premier line, but is slightly smaller in size. You could purchase one of these and a DCS system for slightly more than a Premier engine.

Another option is the MTH starter sets. They come with the DCS Remote Commander (that Barry mentioned above), usually a Z500 power brick, track, lock-on, engine and some rolling stock. The diesel sets are usually the Railking Imperial models. The sets are only slightly more than a DCS system by itself. This is a good way to get started and also have remote control. Then you can add the DCS system, more engines or whatever as the budget allows.

An MTH set is how I got started back into the hobby a few years ago. They are a very good value for what you get. Then I added the full DCS system, then moved up to the Premier engines and rolling stock. The great thing about the MTH RailKing engines and starter sets is that they are fully compatible with the full DCS system and have many of the same features as the Premier engines. 

not much sense spending the $$$$$ on a dcs engine if your not going to buy the dcs system....used dcs's can be had on the secondary market[train shows-ebay-this for sale forum ] for 40-70% of cost of new....but you need to do a little looking around.-Jim

Just to clear a thing or two up, The DCS system can not actually operate TMCC, it can only talk to a TMCC command base if you already have one, letting you use the DSC remote to instead of the cab1.  DCS can not access any of the Legacy only features.  As to what you need, the above recommended remote commander is a nice starting point if you want to just get your feet wet with DCS and have access to some basic functions for one locomotive.   Relative to the cost of so many other things in this hobby, however the cost of a full DCS system is not so much even new, and you can often find them used for a substantial discount.   Most folks seem to end up with both Legacy and DCS systems at some point, so it is probably worth while to set things up from the start to support DCS with it's minor quarks.  

Since you have TMCC all ready I assume you have a layout for your Lionel engines, or are you just a seasonal runner?  If just seasonal, I also endorse the DCS Remote for $50.  It would be a nice control system for your Christmas Tree MTH Engine.

If you later run the MTH engine on a layout it will also work there, or you run it conventionally and you can get several of the command features to work with a whistle and bell button.

If you later get the full DCS system you still have the DCS Remote CDR for the tree layout which would be a cleaner and simple look for the Tree.   G

Go with what GGG said, get the DCS RC (50-1033).  Keep in mind that this is an infrared device and you (more or less) need line of sight between the transmitter and receiver, should be no big deal.

You'll have to keep whatever transformer you're using connected to the track, then connect the DCSRC to the track (passive mode). I tried to find a photo of the DCSRC hooked up passively but couldn't find one, sorry.