MRC Dual Power O27 Walkaround Throttle -- Any User Thoughts??

Classic Toy Trains Forum
1

Hi Everyone,

I’m about ready to purchase the subject throttle system for use with convential loco’s – old and new Marx and a few Lionels. I want a walkaround system, with two throttles.

The MRC Dual Power O27 is discontinued, but I have an opportunity to get one – but by mail order – so I can’t evaluate it.

If you have one, are you happy with it? Does it provide good low speed control? any feedback would be appreciated.

Are any comparable systems currently in production? All-Trol made a good one, but they are no longer in business.

Thanks,

David Serres (TTOS member)

2

I was not favorably impressed by the Pure Power Dual, which replaced the Dual Power in their line: blow the whistle while the train was moving, and it would slow dramatically. At the lower operating voltages required by many conventional engines, headlight glow was very dim compared to operating the same locos with a CW-80, for example. Using a Trainsounds boxcar, the sounds were distorted until a much higher voltage was set, making the sounds raspy at anything less than a very loud volume.

Issues with the Dual Power were rife on the Internet; perhaps that was its death knell. As for the walk-around feature, its replacement doesn’t have it, which might tell you something.

I’d go with a pair of CW-80’s or Z-1000’s, which can be bought for $80-$100 each, online or mail order. Unfortuately, a really good dual handle, mid-priced transformer doesn’t seem to exist, as far as I know.

The Z-4000 is killer, but at $380 online, it might be more than you are willing to pay.

3

You may want to add a TPC300 to the layout to control both post war Marx & Lionel. Or do as Donna Pass mentioned.

The MRC unit is not rated any good for O gauge trains, people conplain too much about them.

Lee F.

4

Hi Lee,

Thanks for the input. I must confess that I don’t what a TCP300 is, or does, or who makes it? Could you provide a little more information?

Thanks again,

Dave Serres

5

Hi Donna, and Thanks,

It seems you have helped me avoid a dumb purchase. I’m surprised I haven’t received any positive reports on this power system.

I have a BW-80 and two CW-80’s I’ve been planning to use – and I may follow your suggestion to use these. I recently visited a really good layout, and the builder was using a convential control system using the discontinued All-Trol walkaround throttles and I was smitten with the idea – and then found the MRC O27 available. But probably not for me . . . .

Thanks again,

Dave Serres

6

Not 100% sure on the TPC 300 but I think Lionel makes it.

Also one other quick note that may help you out, if you have any MTH engines with PS-1 or PS-2 don’t use the CW-80 with them, it just don’t work!

Lee F.