The newer HO scale offerings from MTH include dual-mode decoders that will work on either DCC or DCS. Older MTH decoders do not work on DCC at all. I'm not sure when they started including DCC compatability, and it may be that all of their HO engines support it.
DCC will operate most, but not all, MTH functions. I'm not sure which ones you'll be missing. Mostly, it will be gimmicky sounds like "All aboard" calls.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
I sincerely hope no one sold you a bill of goods when you were researching the purchase of this MTH engine. If anyone told you that you could operate DCC engines on the MTH DCS system, I guess you now know they either didn't know what they were talking about or that they deliberately misled you.
DCS is for operating DCS...that means strictly MTH engines.
DCC is for operating...um....pretty much everything else digital in the HO world, including some functions of the MTH trains.
I am sorry to learn of your disappointment.
-Crandell
Last I heard, DCS will not run DCC locos by itself. It will, however, allow a DCC pass-through where if you hook up a separate DCC system to it, the DCC system will operate a DCC engine at the same time the MTH system is running MTH engines. But since MTH keeps updating their DCS, they may have changed that.
In any event, this is a good reason why everyone should avoid MTH's DCS system in HO scale. The only reason to buy it is if you plan to run nothing but MTH HO locos. If you want something else to run on your layout (Athearn, Atlas, Bachmann, Bowser, InterMountain, Proto, Stewart, Walthers, etc.) , forget it. AFAIK, you can't even get aftermarket DCS decoders for adding them in HO locos.
If I were you, I'd keep the MTH DCS system to update & program any MTH locos you have. However, I would also buy a DCC system and use that for actually running the railroad. All DCC systems will run all DCC and all DCS locos. I can't say the same about MTH's DCS.
Paul A. Cutler III*******************Weather Or No Go New Haven*******************
I've noticed no mention of the DCS system from MTH. I purchased one and it worked well with MTH products. I bought a Bachman Shay with DCC and cannot get it to work on the DCS system. Any help?