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!

DCC controller for one loco?

1492 views
6 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    November 2015
  • 3 posts
DCC controller for one loco?
Posted by Kaan Burak on Tuesday, November 10, 2015 10:52 AM
If I buy MTH DCS remote commander with z500 transformer  , is that will run HO dcc engines ? I will use only 1 locos each time ,while a displaying on wooden base stand and I'm not thinking about growing layout.
 
 
Which I need track part of connecting for controller? I don’t know name which is track part.
 
or i need your suggestion.
 
thank you
  • Member since
    October 2007
  • From: Fullerton, California
  • 1,364 posts
Posted by hornblower on Wednesday, November 11, 2015 2:11 PM

As far as I understand it, the MTH DCS system only works with MTH DCS equipped locos and will not work with DCC equipped locos from other manufacturers.  On the other hand, Digital Command Control (DCC) systems can run many MTH DCS locos as well as any DCC equipped loco from other manufacturers.  Using the MTH DCS system will limit you to buying and running only MTH locos.  MTH does not sell DCS decoders separately so you can't convert other brand locos to DCS.  

Since a DCC system will operate many MTH locos as well as any DCC loco available, I would purchase a DCC system and stay away from the MTH DCS system.  

Hornblower

  • Member since
    December 2004
  • From: Pa.
  • 3,361 posts
Posted by DigitalGriffin on Wednesday, November 11, 2015 3:57 PM

I'm with what hornblower said.

DCS is proprietary to MTH.  

MTH locos will accept commands from DCS and DCC. 

And all other Decoder based locos (Atlas, BLI, Walthers, Bachmann, Bowser, Athearn, etc...) only accepts commands from DCC.

A DCS Controller will ONLY put out DCS commands.  So it's useless for generating DCC commands.  That means all those non MTH brand locos will not work with it.

If it were me...and these are just a collection or display purposes, I would go with DCC and non MTH locos.  If you need something that only MTH produces, I would look into brass.  While brass is more expensive and likely used you get better & more accurate detail.  (Which trumps functionality on display pieces in my humble opinion.)  MTH locos seem a little out of scale on the bogie/boiler/truck/driver spacing.  I think this is a carry over from their O-scale designs being scaled down without accounting for the relatively broader curves HO offers.

I hate that I sound like I'm constantly slamming Mike Wolf.  He's a big train enthusiast, but he's a bit of a lone Wolf in the standards world.

 

Don - Specializing in layout DC->DCC conversions

Modeling C&O transition era and steel industries There's Nothing Like Big Steam!

  • Member since
    January 2011
  • 893 posts
Posted by PennCentral99 on Wednesday, November 11, 2015 4:12 PM

Kaan Burak
I will use only 1 locos each time ,while a displaying on wooden base stand and I'm not thinking about growing layout.
 
thank you
 

 
If this is the case, why spare the addtional cost of DCC or DCS?

Inspired by Addiction

See more on my YouTube Channel

Moderator
  • Member since
    June 2003
  • From: Northeast OH
  • 17,216 posts
Posted by tstage on Wednesday, November 11, 2015 5:20 PM

Kaan,

PC is correct...unless you want to conventiently utilize sound and lighting effects.  If not then DC will serve you quite well and be a less expensive option for you.

If you are determined to get a "non-DC system" I would opt for either NCE or Digitrax rather than MTH.  As was mentioned by Don, DCS is a proprietary control system and is best served when running MTH locomotives.  That said, MTH locomotives will operate on DCC - just not the other way around.

Tom

https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling

Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.

  • Member since
    November 2015
  • 3 posts
Posted by Kaan Burak on Thursday, November 12, 2015 9:41 AM
At first thanks for all replied my question. I'am with also all of your comment.Because I've heard that MTH locos not run properly DCC system and also DCS system is different .Most of HO railroader avoid of MTH locos.So in this case I decided made a collection DCC system locos and small diorama for one week. I've thinking same controller system which is NCE Powercab as him wrote by tstage. Thanks for all reply and take a time.
  • Member since
    December 2004
  • From: Bedford, MA, USA
  • 21,416 posts
Posted by MisterBeasley on Thursday, November 12, 2015 1:48 PM

tstage
That said, MTH locomotives will operate on DCC - just not the other way around.

Not all MTH locomotives operate with DCC.  This is a relatively new (last few years) development for DCS-equipped engines.  Some of them will "operate," but you can't configure them without a DCS controller.

It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse. 

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

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!