Another dumb question (about MTH locos and TMCC)

[ICG/SOU]

MTH is making some cool locomotives in roadnames I like, but all I have is TMCC. I understand, for example, if I ran a Legacy-equipped loco on my layout, then some of the advanced features won't be available with TMCC.

I was told that MTH and their DCS is different, that the digital command signal goes out via radiowaves, not through the track. Is this statement true? Or, would running an MTH on my existing layout be possible, like a Lionel Legacy, but without all the bells and whistles available?

Or, would it be worth it to by an MTH dummy unit, and have it powered for TMCC (Weaver does the conversion)?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Laidoffsick]

MTH locos will only run in conventional mode if you are using TMCC.

In order to access all the functions of ProtoSounds 2.0 you have to use the MTH DCS system.

I run both TMCC and DCS on the same track. I prefer DCS. The DCS system will program and run TMCC locos. So... I use my DCS system to run all my TMCC and Proto/2.0 locos. You can NOT build a lash up with TMCC and MTH locos though...they have to be all the same type in the consist.

I won't lie, the DCS system was a pain in the ass to figure out the ins and outs, getting the signal strength up there, and the battery in the MTH locos ABSOLUTELY has to be fully charged in order to function properly. I ended up replacing all my MTH batteries with the aftermarket battery pack from J & W Electronics...BCR = Battery Component Replacement

 

[ICG/SOU]

Understood. Thanks.

 

[gvtfan]

I don't mean to be a PIA here, but I was told that MTH DCS is very expensive. Anyway, for the older DCS stuff, there is a way to run them perfectly compatible with the TMCC, however you should hang yourself before you do so. It is very complicated, and you need to be an electronics genius to do it. (I have seen it done, but I don't know the first thing about how it is done). With the newer stuff, MTH found out people were making them compatible with TMCC, so they took extra steps to make it next to impossible to run DCS with TMCC. Don't feel bad though! I'm in the same situation, and I got this riot from another guy 4 months ago. In my opinion, if you have the money to buy two systems, just go with Atlas O and throw in some more money!