Howdy!

I am considering getting Command control and was pondering the question above. I currently have mostly conventional engines with two TMCC engines and a used MTH PS2 engine is about to arrive. I haven't made up my mind about Legacy or DCS, but I lean toward lionel just for the historical aspect of the company. If I do get one or two DCS locos, how easy are they to run with a Cab 2? I know I won't get all the bells and whistles with them, but was just wondering.

Thanks!

You can only run MTH engines in conventional mode with a TMCC/Legacy controller. DCS can run TMCC engines and only some functionality of Legacy.

If you have a TPC-300 or TPC-400, it will let you trigger some PS2 features (couplers, passenger or freight sounds, bell & whistle) with one button from the CAB-1 or CAB-2. Of course you are still running the engine in conventional mode.

Thanks Yog....what do these run and are they easy to hook into the system? I am electrically challenged (though getting better) and like the one wire set up of TMCC/Legacy.

The TPCs go between your power supply and the track, letting you control the voltage of the track via TMCC. (This works for any engine, not just PS2 engines).

Hookup is pretty easy - two wires from your power supply in, two wires out to the track. A two-wire hookup from the TMCC or Legacy Command Base.

Lionel sells a cable that plugs into the Command Base on one end and has wires to attach to the TPC on the other. They also sell cables for plugging 135 and 180 watt power supply bricks into the TPC.

Though I run command all the time, I still find it convenient to be able to power the track up or down with the CAB-1 or CAB-2 via the TPC.

cool...sounds pretty easy. Thanks!

If I were you I would get a DCS demo. I looked very hard at both Lionel and MTH when trying to decide which way to go. After careful consideration I did choose DCS because it fit my needs better. DCS can also run TMCC engines, although I have not done this yet. No matter which way you end up going, TMCC or DCS, you will find there is a learning curve but once by that, you should be able to enjoy your trains even more.