Dcs vs legacy

DCS requires star wiring and it is a lot easier to do it in the beginning instead of later. It is also more of a pain.

DCS can run Legacy but you will need parts of the Legacy system for it to work.

We started with Lionel but found a number of MTH engines that we wanted. So we ended up with MTH running the Legacy equipment... and we use star wiring.

If you have any question about ever wanting to run both, I would go with MTH.

Legacy is simple, requires less work, and doesn’t require Barry’s Book to understand.  Both systems work well. We like flexibility so we went with DCS. In these days of constant change and problems with quality control, having more options made sense to us.

Hope this helps.

Bill Webb posted:

DCS requires star wiring and it is a lot easier to do it in the beginning instead of later. It is also more of a pain. Not true, Rev L TIU no issues.  I have both systems and no star wiring, all 10's signal strength on my layout

DCS can run Legacy but you will need parts of the Legacy system for it to work.

We started with Lionel but found a number of MTH engines that we wanted. So we ended up with MTH running the Legacy equipment... and we use star wiring.

If you have any question about ever wanting to run both, I would go with MTH.

Legacy is simple, requires less work, and doesn’t require Barry’s Book to understand.  Both systems work well. We like flexibility so we went with DCS. In these days of constant change and problems with quality control, having more options made sense to us.

Hope this helps.

What kind of engines do you want to run.  Due to cost are you only limiting yourself to one or the other?  As stated above Legacy is easy.   DCS system while works can be problematic, and don't get me going on diesel lashup issues.  Legacy engines sound systems can't be beat, whistle steam is easy to operate unlike MTH whistle steam.  Quillable whistle is the same, better in Legacy but clunky to use with DCS engines.  But with that said MTH engines have been more bullet proof than Lionel of late.  So you take the good with the bad these days.

What every you decide, start out with one and plan on getting the other down the road.  You really don't want to limit yourself to just one.

Geojr posted:

to all you experienced train experts - I need some help/ advice.

i’m trying To decide between Legacy and DCS. I am pretty sure I can only afford one or the other, not both.

 

if you were starting out, which would you choose - what are advantages/disadvantages of each system. No need to bash either one, just help me get started.

thanks in advance for your help

If you run MTH and Lionel, the choice is easy DCS.  You will eventually use both.  "Resistance is futile.  You will be assimilated".  

Enjoy your venture.  It is a blast either way.

I'd wire with DCS in mind, though many folks have just added it to a layout with no wiring limitations and had no issues.  As for which one you should go with, which manufacturer has more of the locomotives you are interested in?

superwarp1 posted:

Bill Webb posted:

DCS requires star wiring and it is a lot easier to do it in the beginning instead of later. It is also more of a pain. Not true, Rev L TIU no issues.  I have both systems and no star wiring, all 10's signal strength on my layout

DCS can run Legacy but you will need parts of the Legacy system for it to work.

We started with Lionel but found a number of MTH engines that we wanted. So we ended up with MTH running the Legacy equipment... and we use star wiring.

If you have any question about ever wanting to run both, I would go with MTH.

Legacy is simple, requires less work, and doesn’t require Barry’s Book to understand.  Both systems work well. We like flexibility so we went with DCS. In these days of constant change and problems with quality control, having more options made sense to us.

Hope this helps.

What kind of engines do you want to run.  Due to cost are you only limiting yourself to one or the other?  As stated above Legacy is easy.   DCS system while works can be problematic, and don't get me going on diesel lashup issues.  Legacy engines sound systems can't be beat, whistle steam is easy to operate unlike MTH whistle steam.  Quillable whistle is the same, better in Legacy but clunky to use with DCS engines.  But with that said MTH engines have been more bullet proof than Lionel of late.  So you take the good with the bad these days.

What every you decide, start out with one and plan on getting the other down the road.  You really don't want to limit yourself to just one.

Totally agree with Gary in that if you can only choose 1 system over the other, decide based on the engines you have or want to acquire. Also agree with others that Legacy is very simple to set up and run. That said, I have a lot of Railking engines and appreciate the full DCS capabilities of these engines at a lower price point than Legacy equipment. 

If I had to do it over, and only with 1 system, I'd probably buy fewer engines and go with Legacy for its simplicity. Glad I don't have to make that decision though, as I really enjoy my DCS stuff, too.

One other thought, if I wasn't interested in scale stuff, and was starting all over, maybe I'd skip both Legacy and DCS and just buy LionChief engines.

It should also be noted that DCS can have problems with Atlas and K-Line TMCC engines...I recently found that out  And I totally agree...Legacy is much easier to run...DCS has way more things to remember.  ...ughhh...But I am getting old...

Review a few catalogs and see which locomotives you like.  That's the system to use. 

An alternative is to start with LionChief or LionChief+ sets and locos.  These are command control with an inexpensive, simple, very reliable system.  They will also work seamlessly on a layout with DCS, TMCC/Legacy or both in command mode (but you will have to use the LionChief/LC+ remote to control them).

Well, LC and LC+ works if you want to go semi-scale, but if you're thinking scale stuff, that's not a good choice.

I utilized "home run" wiring on a 140-ft double/"over n under" loop with very consistent voltage results. When I added a yard I simply ran new wire directly to the yard. Run Legacy, Lion Chief and DCS (mainly). No problems with any so far (eight years) once I understand each system. Lion Chief with BlueTooth is a great way to start. Also the universal remote is handy for three engines.

Wally

Not sure asking the question of "which manufacturer has more of the engines you're interested in" is all that helpful, actually. Both Lionel and MTH make or have made practically every conceivable engine you could want. For simplicity of setting the system up, Legacy is significantly easier to set up, and less problematic in operation, as others have said. The point made above is a good one that all the other manufacturers' engines such as 3rd Rail and Atlas O, as well as K-Line and Weaver (no longer in business but a lot of these engines are around), use Lionel electronics, so Legacy would be most compatable with these if you ever decide to acquire some of those engines.

I'd also seriously consider Landsteiner's comment about going with Lionel LionChief Plus engines as a starting point. If a person is new to the hobby and doesn't want to spend a fortune, this is a smart way to go, IMHO. If you later decide to get into Legacy, the LionChief engines are compatable. They will run on MTH systems, also. If choosing something in the LionChief series, keep in mind that the LionChief Plus engines are a significant improvement over the regular LionChief engines. They have a cruise control system built in, which adds a lot to the operation of the engines, so I'd suggest looking at these Plus engines.

Started out in this hobby 7 yrs ago and all the systems, legacy, DCS etc. scared me to death. I was a diehard conventional, but MTH guy! Two yrs ago Steve Nelson suggested DCS WIFI and with much trepidation I tried it! Never looked back! Love it, find it easy to hook up, easy to run etc. Admittedly I have no experience with anything else! This works for me and I'm proud of myself for jumping into it! LOL

If I were starting out from scratch with a small to medium-small layout and wasn't concerned about running scale equipment and could only choose one system as the OP suggests, I would probably go with Lionel's new Lion Chief Plus 2.0 system and Bluetooth. Better detailing, sound and lighting effects, ease of installation with BT, and the ability to adapt to full Legacy later on, if desired.

If you have cost constraints.  DCS Will be far less expensive for engines and cars. 

Legacy

While I have both, if I had to start over, and knowing what I know now, I would go with Legacy only. When DCS works its good and fun, but I have found it is still inconsistent after all these years and software upgrades. I'd even go as far to say if it hadn't been for the late Barry Broskowitz's time and patience, and others as well, helping me via the DCS forum, I'd probably would've given it up and sold all my MTH engines years ago.

"If you have cost constraints.  DCS Will be far less expensive for engines and cars. "

I disagree and would suggest LionChief/LionChief+ will be far less expensive than DCS/PS3 or Legacy for locos,  and then there is no need to invest $300 in Legacy or DCS for command control until later or never. 

Rolling stock (cars) are not relevant as all three rail O gauge rolling stock from all manufacturers will operate fine together and with any manufacturer's locos and electronics.  If, for example, you desire simple,  inexpensive Menard's rolling stock, you will save a lot of money over any of Lionel, MTH or Atlas,  and operation should be fine whether you are using Legacy, DCS, LionChief or conventional.

One other point if you decide to go with DCS you will need a smart phone or tablet to operate the system as MTH is no longer producing the handheld controller.

A tough choice because of the various product offerings, but both Legacy and DCS are based on very old technology which has had a problematic history.

I have both DCS and TMCC on my layout. The reason I have both systems is MTH made the steam locomotives I wanted in their Premier line and Lionel made the diesels I wanted. When I switched from conventional running I went with both systems. I have my TMCC base hooked into the TIU with the MTH adapter cable and run everything from the DCS remote. My layout was already wired in a star pattern, as when I ran conventional I had installed blocks with on off toggles. Both systems work fine together and I get DCS signals of 10 all around my layout and no TMCC signal issues.

If possible I'd suggest both systems. I find both equally easy to use. Honestly if you read the instruction book that comes with DCS before you install it most of your questions will be answered. Neither system is hard to set up or use. Having both has the advantage of letting you run any command equipped 3 rail locomotive. If you only buy one system you'll be limiting on locomotive choices.  Buy a TIU and pick up the Base-1L or the CAB-1L/Base -1L set: http://www.lionel.com/products...command-set-6-37147/ It's cheaper than buying the full Legacy set.