Advice for a beginner wanted: LionChief, Legacy, DCS, TMCC

[Cheese]

Hey folks,

As per usual after the Christmas season when I break out the small O gauge collection I have to run around the tree, my mind turns to bigger and better things. I've been thinking of getting into Command Control. I'd like to keep my conventional engines just as they are and still have the ability to run then with a Command Control remote, which I know is possible.

I do, however, want to invest in a few Command Control engines. I've been eyeing some of the new MTH Railking engines, as well as some of the Lionel Legacy stuff, and some older TMCC things I've seen for sale second hand.

And now we have Lionchief, which seems great for a beginner like me. I have done and currently am doing as much research as I can before making the plunge, but I'd to know what you guys, who actually have experience with these systems, think. Any input is absolutely welcome!

Thanks,

Nick 

[rtraincollector]

Cheese to be fair I will out front tell you I do not like the lionchief/lionchief+ system mainly because of two things 1 and most important to me I feel like I'm getting it shoved down my throat weather I like it or not as for a entry level set it's that or goto another company.

2nd you can not use your controller for your steam engine to run say your diesel yes they now make a seperate controller you can buy that will operate up to 4 trains why should I have to buy a seperate controller when you give me one already.

I started with the original TMCC and loved it I even bought what they call TPC ( track power control) so I could operate one engine on a dedicated track that didn't have TMCC ( like my prewar train set) with my hand controller and even blow the whistle.

MTH system I know nothing about so won't even go there other than it makes me mad you can't get the companies to get together to make a control system that will operate both trains so in long run it would benifit both in my point of view as I won't buy MTH as other than in conventional I can't run them.

Legacy I have not moved up to that yet either so will let someone that has tell you the good and all about that also.

Actually tempory I have gone back to conventional and mainly dealing with post war and prewar lionel trains 

[JTrains]

Check out this thread, which I started being in a similar (though not identical) situtation a couple of months ago, if you haven't seen it already:

http://cs.trains.com/ctt/f/95/t/252129.aspx

[sir james I]

Lionchief must be run with a controller that comes with the engine it's thats simple. Lionchief+ will run with the controller OR from a transformer conventional style. TMCC will run all brands of engines except MTH. They have their own system. TMCC is easy to install, one wire to the track, thats it. It will also run Legacy engines but you do not get all the features. Legacy is easy to set up but takes more time to learn all it's features.

 

[phillyreading]

I have MTH's DCS system and I like it very much. However as some have pointed out you are limited to what company's engines you can use. From what I am seeing on the internet for new prices on MTH verses Lionel engines I am glad I have the DCS system to run MTH engines, because the new Lionel engines are out of my price league(too expensive).

I don't have TMCC or Legacy and most likely never will have it, because I have one command control system and at close to $300.00(maybe more) for another new command control system I am not buying it, sorry!

Another thing to look at is the Williams operating cars, they work only with the Williams by Bachmann remote control. NO other command control can activate a factory set-up Williams by Bachmann car, you must spend money and add in the system if you want it.

Why can't O gauge companies get together and have only one system like H.O.?

[joe323]

phillyreading

I have MTH's DCS system and I like it very much. However as some have pointed out you are limited to what company's engines you can use. From what I am seeing on the internet for new prices on MTH verses Lionel engines I am glad I have the DCS system to run MTH engines, because the new Lionel engines are out of my price league(too expensive).

I don't have TMCC or Legacy and most likely never will have it, because I have one command control system and at close to $300.00(maybe more) for another new command control system I am not buying it, sorry!

Another thing to look at is the Williams operating cars, they work only with the Williams by Bachmann remote control. NO other command control can activate a factory set-up Williams by Bachmann car, you must spend money and add in the system if you want it.

Why can't O gauge companies get together and have only one system like H.O.?

 

That's because in HO they have the NMRA which draws up standards for the various manufacturers to follow.  But in O guage it seems like the manufacturers mainly Lionel and MTH over the years have preferred to sue rather than cooperate.