Hi Barry:
User error. There is a learning curve for someone who has never used more than the old Command Control remote that used to come with starter sets.
I'm here to report that the track does not power until a train is on it, and you add the engine. It then powers just fine.
I managed to run three locos all at once; one PS3 and two PS2s --without any trouble.
Here's what this device can do, that I've figured out: front and rear couplers, horn/whistle, bell. forward, reverse, passenger train announcement sequence ( I only tested passenger train sets), power up/down, smoke on/off, throttle, factory reset. I don't know if I put a freight set on if it will allow me to turn on the passenger sounds that are in there--if it did it would be everything I could want. If it doesn't, it isn't worth it to me to upgrade to the full system just for that.
The throttle is tricky and takes some getting used to. I had a train going a 125 mph before I realized it.
All in all, I like it. The ability to add three engines and control them all at once is a vast improvement. I do think it's annoying that the app is not dedicated to the explorer. There are a bunch of features that only work with the advanced system. Rather than tempt me to want to upgrade, I think will turn off a lot of beginners to have an app that gives one the feeling that it only half works. It would be easy to code out the features that only work with the explorer and offer a dedicated app.
But that's really a small thing. MTH has always made really solid starter sets, I like them, and this one is an improvement on what came before.
Thanks for trying to trouble shoot this.
