Landsteiner posted:One simple approach is have both DCS and Legacy/TMCC available on your layout if you plan mostly on command locos. Your LC, LC+ locos will function well in any of these environments with their own independent command functions.
Probably more simple in concept than in execution. Having both systems is fairly expensive - obviously it requires the purchase of the components of both DCS and Legacy. Also, the installation - especially the DCS - will be more complicated.
All the O gauge manufacturers except MTH use Lionel's operating system, TMCC and Legacy. These include Lionel, of course, and Atlas O, 3rd Rail, K-Line and Weaver (the last two no longer in business but a lot of their engines are still around). Lionel has replaced TMCC with Legacy and the LionChief line, but Legacy controls will operate TMCC (even better than TMCC controls, in fact), and Lionel LionChief engines are compatable as well.
In addition to usingTMCC, for cruise control Atlas O and 3rd Rail use EOB and in more recent years ERR (owned by Lionel) components, all of which operate with Lionel TMCC and Legacy. Weaver used TMCC, which again used the Lionel system. With DCS, only MTH engines can be run. However, with a certain mix of components (or full installation of both systems), DCS can be used to run TMCC engines and Legacy also, although not all Legacy features may be accessible. MTH engines cannot be operated with Legacy.
It can seem complicated. While the simplest method is to run Lionel, Atlas and all the others with Legacy, and MTH with DCS, it is possible to run both TMCC/Legacy engines and DCS engines on one layout by either installing both complete systems, or else by mixing certain Lionel and MTH components, although not all Legacy functions may be accessible in that case.
