Ok guy's, now that you are all through laughing at me can someone suggest a simple system a dummy like me can run. I basicly will have a 16' by 22' double track main layout. It has two yards. I would like to run at most 4 trains and maybe 2 switchers at a time with 5 or 6 operators. It really has to be simple, I have an old MRC Command 2000 system that I got about 5 years ago and I still can't get it to work. oh ya it is HO scale!! [ March 12, 2006, 02:01 PM: Message edited by: ak-milw ]
Andy- Read the box! It clearly shows: "Only works on layouts portraying Milwaukee Road Lines West." You needed to buy the Lines East version. Yes. I know. I'm a big help...... Were you thinking of getting a completely different system? Boxcab E50
Thanks Ken I will check the box. I was looking to get something new, never could figure out why the old unit wouldn't work, think it was me. Sent it back to MRC twice and they said there was nothing wrong with it. I could just never figure it out. If I can't find something simple, that I can make run, I will probably use my old DC controller and run one train at a time.
I think he was kidding about the box... although reading the instructions is almost always a good idea... If you are intent on changing, I would recommend Digitrax. I have a Zephyr, and it works great. I can even use my old MRC power pack as a "jump throttle". I would suggest though that you look around for something you like. Check out the level of support (e.g. many of my friends and the local clubs use Digitrax, plus there is plenty of help on the web). See if you like to use it - can you try it out at the dealer and/or friends' places before you buy? Andrew
Mason, The only person close to me here has a Digitrax system, It's the real big one, don't know the names. Anyway, He has an operating group that travels all over the US and when they are at his place I go over there. I am the guy who puts the trains back on the tracks, watches for problems and gets the coffee, I can handle that part.The controllers he uses have way to much stuff on them and I really have trouble making anything work on them. They have tried to show me but it would take me a long time to get anything to run, so I usually hand the controller back and go get coffee!!
Andy, Don't give up. It sounds like he is using the DT400, which is the big, complicated looking hand-held throttle that puts all the functions in your hand at once. it is not as bad as it looks though: because there is a button for everything, you do not have to worry about pressing "shift-anything" to access other functions. Check out the Digitrax Zephyr: it looks and handles like an old MRC powerpack. If you want walk-around and/or wireless capability, it is just a matter of plugging in the right receiver to the back of the unit. Unless you want the ability to program decoders from the throttle and throw turnouts (e.g. powered by tortoise switch machines) then you could go for the UT-4 (corded/plug-in) or UT-4R (R=radio=wireless) throttle. It is the equivalent to the old DC handheld/walk-arounds from "years ago". Check the Digitrax web site, and do some reading at Tony's Train Exchange. If you are baffled about DCC (but understand a bit about computer networks) try www.railwaybob.com and look for the DCC explanation. Andrew
I thought about not posting this, but it needs to be said, and don't get me wrong I like my Zephyr, it's easy to use, I like the controls, it does everything I want it to and then some, however, I bought three digitrax items in January and as of the other night two of them have gone belly up, I'm not all that concerned about a decoder failure although inconvenient they are cheap enough to replace, but when my beloved Zephyr croaked it was a little much, from my perspective this is a 66 % failure rate, which I find disheartning, so for my two cents if I had another $150.00 laying around I would take a hard look at another brand. EOR
I guess I will have to sit down and have a good think on this. I would like the radio control (no extra wiring) I don't really need all the bells and whistles, won't have any turnout controls or sound. Just want to run more than one train at a time. I was looking at Atlas, One control knob and four buttons, how much easier can you get, all I will have to do is look for engines pre-programed!
Botz... That is a bit alarming. Can you provide more details? Andy... Is there a train shop in your area that offers more than one kind of system? It would probably help you a lot to be able to try a few different systems. Maybe some fellow modellers in your area? Good luck - you'll figure it out soon..! Andrew
Thanks everyone for your input, What I think I will do is set up my old MRC unit and try to get it to work. Once I get that I will have enough nerve to move on to something more!!
Andrew, At first I had I had a decoder (dz123) fail, which I replaced with some TCS mc2's and everything was working great, I was speed matching locos and doing some consisting and all that fun stuff. Then one day I turned my Zephyr on and I got no throttle response until about #1 then the loco's were running at med speed, at about #3 on the throttle they would jump to full speed, so I figured mt cv's were hosed and I tried to check them the unit returned a "na" or no acknowledgement from the decoder, in short the only thing I could program the decoders with was to set the defaults, no other programming would take, so I contacted Digitrax and they told me to send the unit in for repairs, even now my little Zephyer is on its way to Georgia, and I'm running one loco on Dc power.
Botz, Thanks for the additional details... I have not had anything like that happen thankfully. Hope it works out for you... Andrew
Oh well, tried for about 5 hours Sat. to get the command 2000 system running and no luck. I think between decoders, wiring decoders, programing engines, trying to figure out controlers I am just going to buy a MRC pro tech controler and just run my train. Thanks for your help guy's.
Andy, The Prodigy Advance with it's 3.5 amps $179 should be enough to run that many HO scale trains. http://www.wholesaletrains.com/Detail.asp?ID=200407081 also, the Prodigy Advance controller is very intuitive and is far cheaper than ANY other comparable contoller. they are only $57.99 each. since you say you might need 4 or 5 more there is quite a savings there. Many other mfg controllers are $71 & up and that gets you a basic dial or a few buttons and no excellent display like the prodigy advance has. http://www.wholesaletrains.com/Detail.asp?ID=200407082 The New NCE PowerCab is a great product as well, runs about $140 for 1.7amps. you would maybe need the smart booster $69 more for 4-5 HO locos. and I beleive the max cabs is total of 4 with the optional UTP panel unless you get the 3 amp smart booster. http://www.tonystrains.com/download/df-powercab-rev.pdf
Andy, Do you think there could be a problem with the decoder? Also what are you using for a power supply? As far as getting something to run a train and making your decision is cost the major factor or is it feeling like DCC is too complicated to be worth it or a combination or something else entirely? If cost is a major factor then you obviously should not spend more than you are comfortable with and a Pro Tech is an inexpensive option. However if you have $100 or $150 to spend you can get yourself a simple to use DCC system that will blow the Command 2000 out of the water (I know-I'm a proud owner of one ) even if you could make it work. And I think it would make running your trains a whole lot more enjoyable than just DC. I guess what I am saying is I'd hate for you to not get into DCC based on your experience with the Command 2000 if indeed that is a factor. Good Luck!
Stan, The decoder was wired by MRC and they said there was no problem with it. It's just the whole DCC thing seems so complicated, knowing what button to push, when to push it, and that is not even getting into wiring decoders and programing them. The more I read this post, I know it sounds like I'm a big whinner but I just don't get it, and being way out here in the sticks with no one around to help is even worse. It's like if I get one I am on my own. I think thats why the Command 2000 didn't work, I just don't get it
Andy, I know about Camp Douglas-when I was a kid we drove past it every summer on our way to Minnesota to see my Grandma. I looked forward to capturing a glimpse of Volk Field. The great thing about the board is that you can live up in the sticks and still have support! I personally don't think the Command 2000 is that simple to use. You have to go through a sequence of button pushing that is not intuitive at all. Perhaps back when it was introduced it was simple relative to what was out there but compared to the MRC Prodigy Express/Advanced and NCE Powercab its a whole new day and age. http://tonystrains.com/index.html Tony's Trains has a satisfaction guarantee policy that if you do not like a product you can return it and everything I have heard is that they have excellent technical support if you need help. I just picked up a Lenz system and to get up and running was very simple-from there you can keep it simple or make it as complex as you want. If you want any assistance with your Command 2000 shoot me an e-mail as I have managed to make mine work on a basic level.
Stan, Instead of shooting you an E-mail I think I will just shoot the Command 2000!!!!! I checked out the site Kosmo gave me and I might give the Prodigy Advanced system a try. I think I will have better luck starting fresh with something new.Also looks like if I can holdout until August they will have a wireless system. Again thanks for all your help, all of you, I will let you know how I made out.
