Everyone,
I had an MTH PS-2 steam engine and a 3rd Rail RDC professionally converted to battery with RailPro in late 2020. As many of you know, MTH PS-2 engines do not have DCC and the 3rd Rail RDC was conventional. I was going to have to buy a decoder whether or not I went with RailPro or another system to do a battery conversion. The decoder is a significant cost of any conversion.
The initial RailPro cost was more expensive because I had to buy the controller and charger, etc. I was not confident that I could convert the engines to battery myself so I paid to have it done. I plan to do subsequent conversions myself using these two engines as a wiring model. I haven't had a chance to do a conversion yet.
The RailPro controller is one of the most expensive parts of the system but only one is needed. It has full features for programming engines. Hopefully, RailPro will develop a less expensive basic controller sometime in the future.
I am very happy with the RailPro system. It is very easy to use. I have used several other battery systems but not Blue Rail. RailPro is easier than the other battery systems that I have used.
I agree with Ron that battery is the only way to go. It makes running so much easier. Wiring a layout is just painful and expensive. Having to have both Legacy and DCS in O gauge makes O gauge more costly and painful. I run Legacy and DCS on my layout but wish that I had only one system.
I think that everyone in the larger gauges should try battery and I hope that manufacturers will start making battery powered trains. NH Joe
