Tom Stoltz posted:jonnyspeed posted:Tom, just so you are aware Lionel Legacy S electronics support AC, DC, DCC, TMCC, and Legacy. I don't think they are leaving anyone out.
Jonathan, thanks for the reminder. However based on the performance of my Y3 on DC, I would have to disagree with that statement. Also, when I buy an engine, I would like to choose the sound system… there are so many to choose from it is silly to be locked into one. Then there is the issue that proprietary systems is not the way the model railroad industry is set up. If you want to participate in the model railroad market there are a set of standards that helps keep everything compatible. There is plenty of leeway within that system to put your own spin on it so again, I don’t understand Lionel’s approach other than their aim is towards the toy train side of things.
Tom
I can understand your point of view. I think that Don Thompson hit it out of the park at SHS. He designed a basic electronics interface based off of an existing standard (DCC) and made additional adapters that would allow AC, DC, or proprietary (LocoMatic) sound and control. I don't know what is so hard about that. My suspicion is that Lionel and MTH both force the electronics because a good portion of the profit and competitive differentiation (in their minds) comes from the electronics.
Example: I spoke with Andy E. of MTH at the big show in Cleveland a few years back. I asked him why he thought MTH would be successful re-releasing the same products that had been on the market for years? He was quick to say DCS and ProtoSounds. He felt that once S modelers got their hands on MTH electronics that they would gladly buy the same products again. I thought that was a bad idea then. I think it is even worse idea now because DCC sound has caught up to and well surpassed DCS or RailSounds. So now MTH is going to release a run of F's with a control system nobody wants that has sub-standard sound. AND they will likely take away the ability to easily swap electronics like Don designed. So the only options will be to live with it or gut it.
As I said before... S is different than O or HO and I still don't think they fully grasp it. But you can count on them force feeding the market what they want to sell us.
