If the base1l with work with DCS (and it sounds like it does), you can go that route. If you have a layout already and are looking to run command control, then the base 1l will work. It is certainly cheaper than buying the cab2 base anywhere, that is for sure, and with base 3 still being vaporware for the foreseeable future, it is not a bad option at the price (MRP is 299, IDK what retailers sell it for). Then if base 3 shows up and you get past the inevitable scarcity and so forth, not to mention bugs, you can always upgrade. The 1l could be sold to offset spending money on the base 3 or kept as a backup.
Also with 1l, you can run the lionel legacy and tmcc engines with the remote as well if you buy the set. When I originally wrote this response (I edited it), I didn't realize you can buy the 1l base by itself, that would make it a relatively cheap stand in. Only thing is looking around I haven't found any dealers with just the base (you can buy the replacement remote pretty easily), most places that have it in stock have the command base/remote pair that is the 299).
