Rusty Traque posted:suzukovich posted:I look at it this way. S gauge has its advantages and so does O. Last may I bought the S Gauge PE set from a forum member. Now I am some what hooked on S. Only real issue is finding CB&Q, BN and GN engines. Operating system is the other issue. I prefer DCC but Lionel's engines are Legacy so they would have to be converted. As for space, current layout in O uses 080 curves. The equivalent in S would give me long sweeping curves that would be prototypical.
AM has some engines that I would like to get but don't understand the difference between AC and DC.
Since I have a Z4000 dose it mean that I need to get a different transformer?
Are AC (Lionel) engines capable of running on DC? (MTH AM) Current plans are to build a new O layout and either incorporate S for perspective or build an S layout in the current location.
Track capability is another issue. Is AF compatible with MTH?
Yes lot of questions but S is doable for me. Now if I can find a correct F3 or F7s and the Empire builder both feet will be off the fence.
The Legacy code in Lionel American Flyer is DCC compatible since December 2012. These locomotives will operate straight out of the box on conventional AC, Legacy, TMCC, DCC and conventional DC (although can be fussy with certain DC power packs.)
All of AM's locomotives have a DC motor. AM's AC locomotives have an electronic 3-position reverse unit installed that converts AC to DC and controls Forward, Neutral, Reverse.
Conventional AC operation only off any AC transformer, be it Lionel, MTH or MRC. Their DC locomotives will only operate off of a conventional DC power pack. If command control is desired, it's up to the used to install the system of his preference.
We're still waiting on locomotives (F3's) from MTH to determine the capabilities. MTH bought the former S-Helper Service product line. These old SHS models are a sample of what they look like:
MTH S-Trax and Lionel's S Fastrack cane be made to play together with minor modifications
Rusty
Exceptional reply. Thanks.
