Trains.com

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!
Login
Register

MRC low cost command 2000

1087 views
9 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
Budliner
  • Member since
    February 2004
  • From: Boston
  • 2,226 posts
MRC low cost command 2000
Posted by Budliner on Sunday, April 25, 2004 5:47 PM
I just got one for like $30
is it that bad for this low price and what kind of decoders can I use
if nothing else I will have to decode my fleet



?

B -
Report Abuse Back to Top
cacole
  • Member since
    July 2003
  • From: Sierra Vista, Arizona
  • 13,757 posts
Posted by cacole on Sunday, April 25, 2004 8:59 PM
MRC's Web site indicates that the Command 2000 is fully NMRA DCC Standards and Recommended Practices compliant, so any brand of decoder should work with it as long as that decoder also complies with the NMRA standards.
Report Abuse Back to Top
Anonymous
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Monday, April 26, 2004 9:55 AM
Budliner,
The MRC2000 is one of the worst DCC units. But I have a saying - "The worst DCC system is better than the best DC system." You will avoid "block running" and be able to run three trains at one time. See if you can get a really cheap hand held for it.

Another advantage of the MRC2000 is it gets you into the DCC ball game; you'll learn more about DCC since you own it. Then you will be able to access more accurately what your needs are for your next DCC system.

Its also a great little system for smaller layouts like 4 by 8's. I'm convinced that "starter train sets with quality engines" should come equiped with the MRC2000 and a power source; this is the thinking Roco is following.
Report Abuse Back to Top
Budliner
  • Member since
    February 2004
  • From: Boston
  • 2,226 posts
Posted by Budliner on Monday, April 26, 2004 10:16 AM
wow this is cool I had a feeling cheep dcc has got to be better than "playing the piano"
I cant seem to find what decoader I need for my two articulated 2-6-6-2's its dcc ready
and can the 2000 work the turnouts ( I have old lifelike switches)
B -
Report Abuse Back to Top
Anonymous
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Monday, April 26, 2004 10:20 AM
That must have been you that out bid me. Oh well there are plenty more on eBay.[:D]
Report Abuse Back to Top
Budliner
  • Member since
    February 2004
  • From: Boston
  • 2,226 posts
Posted by Budliner on Monday, April 26, 2004 12:59 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by gsetter

That must have been you that out bid me. Oh well there are plenty more on eBay.[:D]


not me the one I got was a buy it now http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3189556497&category=19142&sspagename=STRK%3AMEBWN%3AIT&rd=1

QUOTE: Originally posted by rsn48

See if you can get a really cheap hand held for it.
is this what I need (free)
http://members.shaw.ca/sask.rail/dcc/c2k-mods/c2k-mods3.html
Report Abuse Back to Top
Anonymous
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Monday, April 26, 2004 1:20 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by Budliner

QUOTE: Originally posted by gsetter

That must have been you that out bid me. Oh well there are plenty more on eBay.[:D]


not me the one I got was a buy it now http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3189556497&category=19142&sspagename=STRK%3AMEBWN%3AIT&rd=1

DOOOHHH!!! You lucky dog. I paid $46 plus shipping. How did I miss that one?

QUOTE: Originally posted by rsn48
See if you can get a really cheap hand held for it.


originally posted by budliner
is this what I need (free)
http://members.shaw.ca/sask.rail/dcc/c2k-mods/c2k-mods3.html


Can't get any cheaper than that. Great tip! Thanks for posting it.
Report Abuse Back to Top
Anonymous
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Monday, April 26, 2004 9:56 PM
The 2000 can't control turnouts, thats the bad news. But to control your turnouts, each turnout would need to be decoder equiped (stationary decoders) so if you had a number of turnouts you wanted to control, it would start to get pricy.

Some feel that for most turnouts, using DCC to control the turnout is over kill; it as much work or more work to input the address of the stationary decoder as it is to go throw the turnout. It is called "power routing." where power routing is handy is in a staging situation where you want to bring a train out, and by inputting one command a number of turnouts are thrown.
Report Abuse Back to Top
Budliner
  • Member since
    February 2004
  • From: Boston
  • 2,226 posts
Posted by Budliner on Monday, April 26, 2004 10:46 PM
QUOTE: [i] where you want to bring a train out, and by inputting one command a number of turnouts are thrown.

Nice it will be fun trying to fine some parts to do that hey one or two important turnouts cant be that bad[^]
Report Abuse Back to Top
Budliner
  • Member since
    February 2004
  • From: Boston
  • 2,226 posts
Posted by Budliner on Thursday, May 27, 2004 12:54 AM
I have two command 2000s but how can you get two to work I do have a 1.6 mile mainline thats double track and a yard that can fit whole trains
I seen a website that sead you can do it but you need a y cable >?>

[:(]


B -
Report Abuse Back to Top

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

Users Online

There are no community member online

Search the Community

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Model Railroader Newsletter See all
Sign up for our FREE e-newsletter and get model railroad news in your inbox!
Sign up
        See inside the current issue of Model Railroader Magazine

        Renew
        Digital Editions
        Give a Gift
        Customer Service
        Kalmbach Media
        More great sites from Kalmbach Media: