Conventional control of your postwar engines is possible with both systems (under DCS the capability is built-in, no additional box required). This of course means one engine per track.
Adding command-control circuit boards to your older engines will add to them the ability to run on the same track with independent control, as well as mingle with your newer equipment, but has been pointed out above, the advanced features of modern locos will be absent. and the boards themselves may cost more than your engines are worth. This may or may not matter to you--some would value the flexibility of running their vintage locos alongside modern equipment regardless of feature sets or nostalgic value..
--The brand of track doesn't matter. If it will run on it in conventional, it will certainly run on it in command.
--The open frame motor is of the style found in postwar engines, with removable brushes and whatnot. In a small-to-medium-sized postwar steamer, the motor forms most of the frame that the shell is attached to. On your two diesels it'll be mounted vertically over the truck it's powering, but you can still see the rotating parts.
--"Can" motors are self-contained motors housed in a metal can (hence the name), and therefore the moving parts are largely hidden.
--Speed steps refer to the number of discrete speeds that a given control system allows you to run a given engine at. The more steps, the finer the level of control.
---PCJ
Thank you. Very, very helpful information, I appreciate it.
Which transformer are you using? The newer ZW's have powermasters built in.
doug
Doug,
I currently have no transformer. Next weekend I'm buying an MTH RK from a RTR set. That will have the MTH transformer/controller (I've never owned one). So I'm basically starting from scratch
