|
|
Post by dennym57 on Feb 9, 2024 17:35:02 GMT
With all this new crap coming out, when my Legacy system bites the dust I will not invest in anything else. I will run my conventional engines.
|
|
|
|
Post by Adam on Feb 9, 2024 17:42:30 GMT
Thats my plan as well Denny. In fact, I'm considering selling my MTH DCS system and some of the engines now while they have some value and going back to basics. There is a plethora of conventional engines out there from Lionel MTH PS1, K-Line, Williams and more. Much cheaper and much more reliable. I feel like I have more fun with these basic engines, and I know that I can repair them if they have problems.
What is holding me back from fully making this decision is figuring out the best approach to selling the items. I've gotten some great ideas from Country Joe.
I don't know, maybe I am going through a phase or something.
|
|
|
|
Post by superwarp1 on Feb 9, 2024 18:10:40 GMT
No way in heck would I run conventional or consider going back to it. I'm going to milk my Legacy system to the end. If I'm still alive, I'll upgrade to something else. Isn't the fun of the hobby working on our trains? Switching out control systems for the latest and greatest is just part of the experience.
|
|
|
|
Post by Traindiesel! on Feb 9, 2024 20:51:28 GMT
No way in heck would I run conventional or consider going back to it. I'm going to milk my Legacy system to the end. If I'm still alive, I'll upgrade to something else. Isn't the fun of the hobby working on our trains? Switching out control systems for the latest and greatest is just part of the experience.
Command control was the catalyst for my O gauge buying spree and the creation of my railroad empire. I’ve never had so much fun with the trains. I will still run my conventional stuff but now I can operate them with a remote or my WiFi device. The systems I have work just fine and if they break down someday I’ll upgrade to the next systems. It’s no different than any other hobby.
|
|
|
|
Post by rockymountaineer on Feb 9, 2024 23:22:38 GMT
FWIW, when I ventured away from Lionel in my teen years toward HO model railroading, I was quick to get into a new form of "command control" back then — known as the TAT-IV remote control system developed by Bruce Chubb. It was distributed by his company Tri-Delt as a kit whose components resided in control panels around the layout PLUS a walk-around, hand-held unit that you would plug into those panels as you walked around the layout.
The system was covered in much detail across many issues of Model Railroader magazine, and I learned a tremendous amount about electronics in those days. We're talking the late 1960's / early 1970's time-frame.
I loved that walk-around concept back then. So when I jumped back into O-Gauge after college, it was largely still in an era of conventional control. But once command control in O-Gauge arrived, I wasted no time installing it. I will never go back to "just" conventional control. As long as I'm enjoying O-Gauge, there will be command-control as an option to run trains on my layout. ALWAYS.
|
|
|
|
Post by JKP on Feb 10, 2024 0:23:39 GMT
The newer Legacy engines have bluetooth, as long as you have a smart device controlling them won't be an issue.
|
|
|
|
Post by david1 on Feb 10, 2024 1:11:32 GMT
I have mentioned this in a prior post. As much as I like command I will not buy, upgrade anymore of the command equipped locomotives. I will keep running what I have but now and in the future but anything new will be only conventional.
Why you may ask is that Lionel and in some respects Mth has left their core group of buyers on the outside looking in. It is not only inflation but Lionels insistence and others that want to concentrate on the high end buyer. They Dont have a middle of the road product. Please don't mention lionchief, imo it is a product that should not be on the market for the prices they charge. Middle of the road, I think not!!! And while we are on the subject of prices, the prices in the new catalog is beyond absurd! Even though I could buy some of the items in the new catalog I refuse to support a company that really don't care about their customers. Money is not the only issue, not delivering what was promised, quality control, parts and many other issues.
Sorry if this offends anybody but sometimes we need people to push back on what is going on with our hobby.
Dave
|
|
|
|
Post by firewood on Feb 10, 2024 4:59:54 GMT
I hear you Denny - the older I get the more non-electronic I am, lol. I was sitting at the layout thinking earlier this week, (dangerous, I know 😉) and it occurred to me that most of my O Gauge locos have DC can motors. If all the electronics died would I just gut everything, leave the motors and use DC transformers instead? Anything sound-equipped I keep turned down to barely audible anyway, so I wouldn’t miss it. (The old British Hornby-Dublo was 3-rail DC, but that’s another can of worms…)
Dave
|
|
|
|
Post by rtraincollector on Feb 10, 2024 13:08:47 GMT
Seeing all the engines I have can run in conventional status, when my Legacy lite system bites the dust, that will be it for me to. I have one TPC-400 and two TPC-300 that I don't even know if I will bother to hook up. I still get enjoyment out of running my standard gauge via transformer control, and I have some post war also I can run happily via transformer. 
I only have 2 loops for my Standard Gauge, so why do I need the TPC's? My O gauge have not decided on switches or just two loops also. ( switches would be for sidings probably if I did use them. )
Anybody want any Ross switches with DZ-1000 (I think ) I even have one curve switch I believe O72/O63.
I need to get them out from under the table and see about selling them.
|
|
|
|
Post by healey36 on Feb 10, 2024 14:27:12 GMT
I have a few ProtoSound and ProtoSound 2 locomotives, and I run them all conventional. Other than a standard-gauge 9E that went a bit wonky due to a dead battery, I've not had any problems. I just never got into the command-control end of the hobby, likely because 90% of the stuff I run is prewar. It's all good.
|
|
|
|
Post by Adam on Feb 10, 2024 15:12:31 GMT
I've been really putting a lot of thought into whether I stay with what I have or I simplify and go all conventional.
I think a hybrid approach is what I will go with. Like others, I will keep using/running what I have. If/when my MTH DCS system bites the dust, I will switch to conventional. Life is too short and I am just going to enjoy what I have. Going forward, I will likely only purchase conventional/user engines and other items. I really like bringing them back to life and reinventing them.
I tend to over analyze and overthink these things sometimes.
|
|
|
|
Post by healey36 on Feb 10, 2024 15:55:56 GMT
I really like bringing them back to life and reinventing them. Yes, I really like that part of the hobby too.
|
|
|
|
Post by mrmeep on Feb 11, 2024 2:44:38 GMT
To me, part of the hobby is the direct contact with the running of the
trains and layout features. Just like a prototype engineer. HANDS ON!
Even today real trains are still run HANDS ON.
I have seen many layouts in many scales using wireless and bluetooth
type systems. To me, the non-connection and distance between the operator
and the actual layout takes away from the excperience and imagination that
is so vital to the hobby no matter what the age of the hobbyist.
Once upon a time, that was known as "play value" for the younger, newer
folks, and " experience" for the older hobbyist. That has now been lost
with these new detached wireless systems.
Also, these systems are based on PLANNED OBSELESCENCE and WILL eventually
no longer be supported, repaired or supplied with extra parts. That means
that one must spend LOTS more $$$ to periodically install a new replacement
operating system. And electronic parts do have a lifespan and they are not
repairable by the owner. Most are sealed units that must be replaced in their
entirely when they fail or become out of date.
Again, this detracts from the enjoyment and affordability of the hobby. It
also will prevent these newer trains and equipment from being handed down to
succeeding generations in an operable condition for their enjoyment and tradition.
There are electric trains from several manufacturers that were built over
120 years ago that are STILL operable and repairable today! And are, thus,
durable heirlooms that are passed down (and will be passed down some more!)
through generations building family and hobby traditions. Try this with today's
trains. Not going to happen!
Convenience is nice, but affordability, durability and usefulness should also
be big factors in the hobby in order to make it appealing to newbies and oldies
alike.
|
|
|
|
Post by Traindiesel! on Feb 11, 2024 6:55:08 GMT
Such First World problems we have. It sounds like what Eeyore would say if he were in the hobby! 
But seriously, if you’re down on command control so much that you want to just operate conventionally (there is nothing wrong with that), now would be the best time to sell your DCS and/or Legacy systems and get top dollar for them while you can before the new versions hit the streets.
|
|
|
|
Post by atsda on Feb 12, 2024 14:53:59 GMT
Now that I have my breath back from reading an “”End of the Line” thread title:
I have no experience with the new digital equipment; none the less, I have thoroughly enjoyed hearing about these systems and how you work with and enjoy them – to the point of taking the plunge. At some point, I would not mind trying a Bluetooth-enabled engine – the idea of ‘walking the layout’ is appealing (although I am not particularly enamored of the sound effects.) In any case, conventional / post war + creativity + imagination = fun + enjoyment
Alfred
|
|
