I, too, will give the DCS51 very high marks. I have had two of them for 3 years and they are capable of driving, single handedly, a lot of layout. I am a lone wolf operator and radio control with multiple operators is just not going to happen. I have considered getting a simple UT4 remote for the more remote points on my shelf layout, but just haven't needed one yet.
As for taking one appart; I would strongly advise against it. You would probably be opening a real can of worms. I have mine mounted or a capturing, horizontally mounted, shelf attached to my facia more of less in the middle of the layout's most active areas.
Richard
If I can't fix it, I can fix it so it can't be fixed
The Zephyr series of DCC systems used the case of a Kato power pack, IIRC. The 'throttle' is a potentiometer and is not an encoder type of control like the hand held throttles. I have a DCS51 in my 'man cave' and I use it for programming and testing decoder installs. Most of the time I have a DT400R throttle attached to the unit. If I were to use this for a layout, I would just mount the DCS51 under the layout on a shelf and run LocoNet cables to UP5 fascia mounted plates and use the DT400 series throttle to run trains. The unit was designed to get a newbie up and running with no extra expense. What you find out in the long run is that you will want 'wireless' throttles - The DCS51 can be expanded to have wired or wireless throttles and even a computer interface for programming. The unit is quite robust and has lots of features like a 3 amp capacity and up to 20+ engines can ge addressed at the same time - Have fun with it.
It seems that many modelers have drifted away from 'centralized' control systems and have gone to 'walk-around' units.
Jim
Modeling BNSF and Milwaukee Road in SW Wisconsin
Not really, the case design is such that it has a plain back plate, the front and sides are all one unit, not the other way around. Could you take it all out of the case and make your own panel for the buttons and knobs, yes. Any disassembly woldl void the warranty. Easier thign would be to simply cut a space in the panel to fit the unit and put it in.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
CAN THE DCS51 BE REMOVED FROM THE CASE AND BE FLUSH MOUNTED IN A PANEL?