Worth buying an Mth engine when I'm using legacy?

I actually faced this issue recently as I love the euro steam engines that MTH produces but I only run Lionel exclusively in legacy and only the most feature packed engines with the big curves. Good luck with your decision making. I recommend taking the plunge. DCS may turn out not to be as impressive as legacy (opinions are opinions) but at least you have the engine you desire the most. I found DCS acceptable to run the one MTH engine I have and execute all of the features without resorting to conventional. Conventional would have been completely unacceptable. I'm also looking to add the premier Erie Triplex as Lionel refuses to make this engine and that fact rubs me raw that I would never be able to own it without MTH.

Bingo Player -

I have both and enjoy running them. To keep my answer short, here is what I recommend.

1. Buy Rich Melvin's DCS Video Guide DVD (from the OGR store).

This will give you a thorough description of DCS, and Rich makes it very easy to understand and interesting.

2. Now that you are sold on DCS , buy the full system - you will save time and money in the long run.

3. Buy Barry's book. I prefer the online version as I can search for specific items when I have questions (or problems). Barry's book is a must.

4. Learn about the AIU's. I believe they are quite an asset to DCS.

5. Start buying locomotives!

Good luck -

Alex

I actually like this idea believe it or not... this could open a door for me.

I saw a beautiful MTH Great Northern steam era passenger set in Berwyn Toy Trains the last few time I've been there and this is a possible way for me to consider it.

Bingo,

Keep in mind that while you can certainly run the MTH engines in conventional mode with Legacy, or add DCS to your layout, you can not "lash-up" a MTH and Lionel engine to run together.  This is the main reason I did not purchase the MTH version of the NS Reading Heritage.

Jim

I'm afraid I might be 'feeding the trolls' with this post, but I would just like to make sure before I jump...

A fellow OGR forum member has for sale the MTH IC E8 Premier 3 engine set in "Death Star" paint scheme. I know I probably should not hold my breath waiting for Lionel to make a decent Illinois Central diesel that is to my liking. (I have a bad experience with U30C in another roadname, I won't touch them.)

Someone posted pictures, wow. I would have to say, MTH could do themselves a favor and have more detailed pics on their website. Something you would have to click on to see, to save on bandwidth, sort of like how they have on TigerDirect.

So, if I do buy his set, my options are

... run them in conventional mode

... buy the above 50-1033  (which I, being a jerk, backed out of on the Buy/Sell once)

... buy a DCS system and integrate with TMCC/Legacy

... buy a DCS system, and use it exclusively to control DCS and TMCC, and sell all the Lionel stuff.

... shelf queen.

... convert to TMCC (edit, put in, duh).

This is one of handful of blogs/forums I follow mostly because of the user comments.  Great stuff everyone.  I would like to share my humble thoughts from a slightly different perspective.  From what I have observed, I'm only going to be able to get certain engine types in my wanted road names through MTH; and the same is true regarding the same from Lionel as well as other mfgs.  I didn't pick up the VL big boy recently (I really, really wanted to), because it's not like MTH or Lionel won't have another version in the next 5 years. Yes, it may not have all the VL features, but I'm OK with that.  However, how often do you see a SP&S Challenger hit the market and I'm sure almost everyone here has their own "wanted list".  So, my opinion is buy it and if Lionel releases a similar version or if your not satisfied, you can always sell it here on the forum.  One last thought; how can you know if you are not missing out on some fun unless you try it.   Good luck!  Oh, and I have Legacy engines and still need to get the Legacy system, it's on the list.

It depends on what you want.  If it's only a single MTH engine you want that is a "must have" then you will do what you need to do if you want to run it.  If you have several MTH or other brand locos other than Lionel you want or you know you will want eventually, then you might consider the many options previously mentioned.   My case in point: I run on TMCC Cab 1 with a Lionel KW, PRR steam and have limited myself to 6 locos (so far so good).  I have 2 K-line, and 3 Lionel that of course run on TMCC and acquired an MTH Premier Decapod that was a "must have" for me.  I probably spent more $ than I should to retrofit that engine to run on TMCC as my first try with TMCC TAB was unsuccessful (too long of a story).  I finally found a solution to some operational problems by having ERR installed. Because I had to have that MTH loco and already had TMCC cab 1 for the rest of my limited fleet it made sense to me to have it retrofitted to run on my Lionel system.  Initially, I asked myself the same question you did about adding a different or additional operating system or extending the mix and match configurations to use one system to operate different brand engines.  After due consideration, you too will arrive at your answer for you.  It depends . . .

In any event, I will be interested in your thought process and decision.  This discussion point appears to be a continuing instructive topic, and especially with developing technology and maybe new products providing more options.  

I did a quick check on the MTH site. A DCS remote (our club has everything else that is needed) was $170 and was first (only) offered in 2000. For a few dollars more I can retrofit a Boxcar Bill-supplied ERR for, what?, $10 more. I have one (1) MTH unit. So, I'll rip out the DCS gimcracky and replace it with ERR gimcrackey. Obviously, if MTH offers a has-to-have down the road, then this would be wasted money (except what I would recover from selling the MTH electronics). For me, uniquely, additional units are unlikely to be a problem.

From looking over the pictures other Premier MTH E8 auctions made around  the same time as the IC DAP set, it would appear that the MTH E8's have blinder inners and only two center rollers per engine. I have had issues with blind inners, and more with not enough rollers.

The connection cable between engines, does it share the center rail?

I have both systems because I have many MTH engines that LNL would never build.

In my view, Legacy just runs. MTH needs star wiring and good signal strength; so clean tracks everywhere. Plus you need to learn an entirely different command control system.

A big hassle for one engine..

I am still a fan of MTH Premier steam locomotives because:

1. They make the Erie Triplex - arguably the most fascinating steam locomotive ever built.

2. Their PRR H10 Consolidation is a real nice and accurate model.

3. They've made the PRR Decapod, a must for PRR fans.

4. I like MTH's Bipolar electric model better than the streamlined Lionel version.

If Lionel made all of the above with Legacy, and made the models like the MTH versions, I would probably go with Lionel exclusively, simply because maintaining two command systems is a PITA.