run 3 sound equiped locos at a time on a 27' x 13.5' double mainline,HO shelf layout???? I think I can do without a few functions(as oppossed to the Advance sq) but I dont know if the Express has enough power.
can you get a prodigy booster or mix another product's booster in with the prodigy express?
MRC has two add on boosters. A 3.5 amp version and an 8 amp version.
http://www.modelrec.com/search/product-view.asp?ID=2003
http://www.modelrec.com/search/product-view.asp?ID=9121
Other boosters would probably work with it IF MRC would publish the information. AFAIK, no one has ever reverse engineered one to find out which ywo wires would be needed to connect one.
I started with the Express and it will run 4 engines with sound no problem. The problem comes if you start adding a lot of rolling stock and you have a lot of track and any major grades. I started losing power on hte grades and if I got carried away with rolling stock, (20 cars or more) things started to slow down. The Express only has 2.4 amps.
I have a LOT of track and some major grades, 3-4%.
So I then purchased a Wireless setup thinking I could hook them both together for more power, I was informed I could do this by my local hobby shop. Well that didnt work. You can not use 2 base units together. I ended up buying a booster with 3.5 amps. The Wireless base unit also has 3.5 amps. I split my layout into 2 power divisions, base unit on one and the booster on the other and havent lookd back since.
ANd I can use the Express cab with the wireless system, so now a freind can join me in my sessions.
So if your layout is small and all you can afford is the Express it will work for you. But if you plan on expanding or using more than 4 trains or BIG trains, then save up to get the Prodigy Advance2 or Wireless.
One last thing I would ike to add is, it is very hard running 4 trains at once. I envisioned how neat it would be running a bunch of trains at once but it is not easy watching them all and making sure they dont crash. I can maintain control of 3 of them if I am just running the circiut, but when I start working a yard or siding, I can only handle 1 train. I have had 9 trains running my circiut, but it is a very hectic experience and the novelty wears down soon. It is much more fun with another person running a train with you than trying to run them all by yourself.
Bob Artim
Beaver, PA
Well guys I've pretty much made up my mind to go with the MRC Prodigy Avance Sq. system. I also found a great price on one. $195!!! Thanks for the help.