MRC Prodigy Express DCC system question

[1948PRR]

Out of curiosity, did you try just one engine, instead of two? I have a Prodigy Advance, and have run five engines simultaineosly, and could probably run more, but I don't know what the Express can do. Perhaps it was an amperage issue, although I would think the Express could handle two.

To answer the question, you certianly could use both throttles with the Express, but the power unit would be simply a spare, not a bad idea either. I'd consider an Advance, as you'd get more amperage, a few more features, and an extra throttle. You'd still have the Express power unit as a backup.

I bought my Advance used for about $130, and have had no problems in over three years. In fact I just bought another used one for $118 that is in better shape physically, Because the price was so good, I couldn't pass it up, just to have as a backup and get another throttle.

[Stevert]

TheK4Kid

Now I have another question.

If I were to purchase a second Prodigy Express system, and my other system returns from repairs, can I use them together on the same layout?
I would eventually like to run 4 trains on my DCC layout.
Right now, part of my reasoning is this would also give me a second hand held to run a second train without having to change the adresss on the only handheld I have now.

TheK4Kid

  The short answer is no, you can't have two separate DCC systems connected to the same track at the same time.  What you would do if you needed another throttle is, well, buy another throttle.  If you need more amperage (power to the tracks), you'd buy a booster. 

  However, I don't know if the PE is capable of accepting either a second throttle or a booster so I'd have to second David's suggestion.  Buy a (very expandable) Zephyr and stop worrying whether or not your DCC system has an upgrade path.

Steve

[TheK4Kid]

 I was running two trais on my layout , both pulled by BLI steam engines with Quantum sound, and using my MRC Prodigy Express DCC sytem.

Both trains stopped, but the sound systems kept working.,
but neither engine would move.
I turned off the power, and replaced the engines with two other BLI engines, both sound equipped.
Same situation, sound, but engines wouldn't move.

Next step was to disconnect my Prodigy Express system and hooked up my Bachmann Easy Command
system I use for another small train layout I have.
My BLI engines once again ran just fine, and all sound systems worked.

Apparently my Prodigy Express system has had some kind of failure.
I intend to send it in for repair through the LHS where I bought it, less than a year ago.

Now I have another question.

If I were to purchase a second Prodigy Express system, and my other system returns from repairs, can I use them together on the same layout?
I would eventually like to run 4 trains on my DCC layout.
Right now, part of my reasoning is this would also give me a second hand held to run a second train without having to change the adresss on the only handheld I have now.

TheK4Kid