Train America or Digital Dynamics ???????????

[Anonymous]

Aristocraft are okay for what I am doing. Generally I like Diesel and Santa Fe which just about eliminates LGB. USA and Aristo quality is about the same and their prices are actually fairly close if you go to a third party like Wholesale trains out Horseheads NY or Internet Trains, or a couple of others. They both do different things well. USA will put in an engineer and detailed cab and Aristo doesn't but Aristo puts in a Diesel motor and includes a special shaped speaker. USA has pick ups while Aristo uses the wheels but they are both good running machines.
If I have a complaint is that Aristo is nearly impossible to communicate with by email despite their contact us on the site and some their parts diagrams tend to blow up when you access them. I have sent several emails asking about buying certain parts I wanted and apparently they went into a black hole because no one was out there. Their product is good though and you are right I couldn't beat the price on the Santa FE FA1 triplett.

[superwarp1]

I don't mean to get off topic here[#offtopic] But PerryB, what do you think of Aristo Craft? I played in G for a little while before getting back into O. I found Aristo craft ok but they come out with the same products year in and year out. At the time I couldn't afford USA or LGB.

Gary

[Anonymous]

Okay so I'm G guage not O but I just thought I would throw out my experience. I've converted 8 G engines, 3 with TAS and 5 with Digital Dynamics. Both outfits were very helpful on the phone considering how busy they have to be. I used the TAS kits on 3 of the USA trains (2 GP38 and a SD40)and the DD on a USA NW2, am Aristocraft 3 FA-1 triplett, and a Mikado. All of them worked well and were relatively easy to put in once you figured out the how to use the existing Aristo boards. The TAS is clearly designed for USA but would work in Aristo if meter the wiring out. The only anomally is a TAS GP38 that says Whoops ever so often which isn't really to scale. I assume that's a Lionel software bug in the sound chip. Because ED's product is broken up in 2 parts it was easier to place and I know you think G ought have enormous room but it doesn't when you dodging stanchions, support and smoke units. I have every respect for the O gurus that can pack it in. I did find DD delivered much quicker but that probably means Phil has a lot of business and that's good for him. What it meant to me is that I got out of a lot track zoning, switching and could use the Lionel SC2 and other accessories. Anyway for what it's worth I do think they both do well and the key is that TMCC has been the system that works well for me. Have a good easter bill

[superwarp1]

Yes Texas type, what's up. Ernie is a nice/great guy.

Gary

[lionel2341]

Texas Type:

Since you named me in public, what run-ins have I had with you???? Please explain.

Sheahen: DC crane boards will be a t YORK.

Ernie

TAS R&D Engineer

[Anonymous]

I have done one PS1 to TMCC conversion with the DD equalizer and 2 upgrades of Lionel command upgradable engines with parts from DD.

I have been very pleased with all transactions with DD and give them two thumbs up.[tup][tup]

I am waiting for the TAS command upgrade board for the Lionel crane and hope my expereince with TAS will be as good as I have had with DD.

[Anonymous]

I installed a DD basic TMCC board a few years ago and it still works great.

I just installed a new small low-priced board designed for American Flyer engines and O-gauge engines that draw less than 4 amps. It is being offered by Carl Tuveson and is talked about on the OGR TMCC board. The cost is $25 without the R2LC radio board which is $29.95 from DD. Total cost $55 plus $8.50 shipping for 1 set of boards. Shipping lower for multiple boards.

http://tuveson.com/TMCCBoard/TMCCDriverBoard.htm#Order%20Online

[Anonymous]

I upgraded almost 25 locos (Lionel AC, Lionel can motor, Williams, Weaver, MTH ) to TMCC/RS using a variety of Digital Dynamics products (including the Equalizer ).

All Digital Dynamics products have been reasonably easy to install, had good instructions, and worked as advertised out of the box. When I have questions, Ed Bender of DD has always patiently answered them thoroughly and clearly.

I will install a bunch of Ed's Cruise Control Upgrade Kits when they are released.

I have not tried TAS products as DD's are always a bit less expensive.
Pete NoVA - man without layout [:(]

[Anonymous]

Both Ed (DD) and Phil (TAS) are great guys to deal with. Very curteous and very helpful. But DD is $20 or $30 cheaper. soooooooo.

I have used conversion kits from both and had success with both. I believe that the connectors on the TAS kit are slightly more robust than on the DD board - but neither is very good.

Its real close; I do half my business with each as I want them both to succeed.

At TAS I have had some run-ins with 'ernie'; just ask for Phil - a truly great guy.

[superwarp1]

I have yet to convert a proto 1 engine. If you don't have DCS. I would go with DD new cruise control and Railsounds. Only because it will be cheaper(I think) than TAS EOB. IF you have DCS I would consider the proto 2 conversion Kit.

Gary

[eZAK]

Getting back to the orignal Q, TAS or DD?

I did a change from Proto-1 to TMCC and a MPC era to TMCC with DD components.
Both had board problems. The first was fixed, the second is in email limbo.
They both require some skill and the directions may need to be read more than once.

I have no experience with TAS.....yet!

[eZAK]

That is correct 'pennsy_fan'.

I do remember that 'exclusive' statement in one of their adds.

BUT, As Ed of DD has stated on the other forum, that was an error and should not have appeared that way.

and YES you can also buy TMCC, & RS 4.0 through TAS!
It is on their web site.

[pennsy_fan]

Lionel LLC in fact owns IC Controls Inc.....
My bad[:I]

[superwarp1]

Both are good companies with great people. I have dealt with ED of DD and Mike of TAS. You can't go wrong with either. Look for the new Kline cruise kits form DD and EOB is to die for from TAS.

Gary

[pennsy_fan]

clarification from my last post on this topic:
Digital Dynamics is the EXCLUSIVE licensee of Lionel, LLC for
trainmaster, command control and railsounds upgrades.
(my apologies to 'eZAK')[#dots]

[eZAK]

Please NO more rumors!

Stick to the facts!

Lionel does not own Digital Dynamics!

If you, 'pennsy_fan,' or anyone else has facts contrary to this, and can back them up with proof, I'd love to hear them.

One other tidbit. DD will be supplying K-lines new cruise control, according to their new catalog. Now why would DD/Lionel market a completely new cruise control through a compeitor?

[Anonymous]

When seeking an upgrade for GG1 from K-line, I was referred to TAS by their service department as K-line "no longer has TMCC/RS upgrades. I have, however, purchased and installed both an Equalizer and R2LC/RS from DD (Ed Bender) and both worked out well. TAS seemingly provides more support in documentation but Ed has always been available by phone. It's a toss up for what you wi***o accomplish. IMHO.

[pennsy_fan]

well, Digital Dynamics IS owned by Lionel, so that might be an advantage.............

[Buckeye Riveter]

I have had very good experiences wth Train America in Canfield, Ohio. [8D] Phil is the head electrical guru and he knows how to make them work if I screw up the guts. (An electrical term used only by the experts.)

[Big_Boy_4005]

I looked at both but haven't gotten that far yet, so I don't have an answer. I'm listening too.

[dougdagrump]

It appears that Lionel is not going to remove its head from where it is currently inserted.
They have stated that the basic upgrade kits from conventional to TMCC and Railsounds will no longer be available. My question, for those more experienced then I, which is the better of the two.[?]