Cruise Commander versus Cruise Commander “M” to upgrade MTH Fleet

You would need the Cruise Commander since the M version is only for upgrading loco's with certain versions of TMCC electronics already installed. For sound as well, the Railsounds Commander would be recommended.  ERR can help you pick just the right options.

Looking around for TMCC versions of your favorites might be another option to consider depending on how big the outgoing fleet is.

Seems like a big investment for conventional only operations for the next several years.  What is wrong with the PS-1?  They are pretty bullet proof other than low battery if they are 1997 and newer.  G

I think I'd go with GGG here, I'd sort out the issues with the existing stuff before making that leap.  OTOH, if you have command locomotives and controllers, why run them conventional, even on a temporary layout?

I'm also converting some stuff to PS2, what do you find wrong with that?  If you have a bunch of PS2 locomotives, I'd consider the MTH DCS system, it makes a huge difference in operation.

Team, thanks for the replies.  I am not too familiar with MTH products and when they dont want to play by the rules, I may get fustrated.  I am so used to using conventional that when it comes to electronics, I am so lost.

I started with Williams and pre war Lionel that had min electronics.  Jumping into issues that plaqued PS1 and some PS2 units, did not help out.

A step back to look over what I may need to do is wise idea.

again, thanks for the help.

If you do any PS2 to TMCC conversions, there'll be plenty of folks lining up to buy the PS2 modules.

I am also an HO guy.  All of my locos are DCC.  I was looking over the idea of installing either digitrax or NCE O gauge decoders.  This way I can still use my dcc equipment and control both HO and O Scale with my iPODS and computer.

I have not seen too many folks go this route.  In fact, I am having a hard time finding MTH to DCC Decoder changes.

Anyone care to give me advise if this is wise?  any obsticles that I will run into?

If you just want to run in conventional mode, the Williams reverse unit board is pretty cheap. A bridge rectifier is even cheaper if you don't want to go backwards.

MTH HO is DCC capable.  The O PS-3 units are also DC capable out of the box.  G

Team, thanks for the suggestions!

The williams route seems to be a good idea just to run them conventional.

Have a good day!

If you never plan on running command, the Williams will do fine.  Keep in mind that you can buy the ERR DC Commander for almost the same price as the Williams reverse unit and get conventional and command operation basically for free.

It also seems to me that you should be able to pull the top board, plug a few jumpers into the bottom board and get a basic QSI electronic reverse unit out of the deal - for free.

I have not attempted that, but something I saw on an old TAS installation sheet leads me to believe that it can be done.

The earliest MTH products could be purchased with Protosounds (what we now call Proto one) but they could also be purchased with an electronic reverse unit and a bell/whistle.

I'm thinking that the electronic reverse unit is the same one that's in the proto one system, minus a few jumpers that go into the black headers on the board.

Team,

Thanks for all the suggestions.  I am gearing toward the EER DC commander.  I usually have a consist of 2 locomotives; I plan to add EER and Sound on the leading locomotive and leave the 2nd with only the EER.  This way I am able to have at least 1 engine in the consist with sound. 

Again, thanks and you all gave me a focus point now.

by the way...I will ratain the MTH locos with Proto 2 as is and only upgrade as needed...

If you decide to go with ERR you will not be disappointed. If you have the few extra bucks needed to do the Cruise Commander instead of the DC Commander,  you will be ecstatic. They really run well with the cruise commander

I second the recommendation for the Cruise Commander or Cruise Commander M (for existing TMCC installations).  I've installed a couple of the DC Commanders and they're fine, but the addition of the cruise feature for a little more money is a huge benefit if you intend to run multiple trains on a single track.  Keeping three  or four consist's running without cruise from a single remote keeps you busier than a one-armed paper hanger!

How many PS-1 and PS-2 trains are you throwing out and what issues are you talking about?  I will buy what you are dumping if they are premier.  Not interested in Ebay queens.

A Proto Sound Bottom Board is not like a DCRU Bottom board. You can jumper it with a switch to get FWD or REV, but it won't cycle like a Reverse Unit.  You need to use the switch.

The DCRU doesn't have the power supplies to support the Top PS-1 Sound board.  These are 2 different boards.   G