So I have this Christmas train loco sound…
too much to upgrade to proto 3
so I was looking at a new set for $360 and would have to use a dead track to interchange from loco to proto when switching cars…
I am wishing MTH actually followed rules like DCC with their DCS…
Or I can buy a proto 3 controller but it wont operate loco sound…and I would still need a Proto 3 engine…
glad I have HO to fall back on…
Do you know Ayn Rand?
I’m not sure I’m clear on your question. I run my MTH with Proto 3 sound with Digitrax DCC(24 function controller helps). I can adjust what I need to with DCC.
Richard
Hi guys,
What John is talking about, “Locosound,” is MTH’s conventional sound decoder for 3-rail AC O-gauge. It was never intended to run on any form of command control, be it DCC or DCS. Back in 2000 when MTH came out with Protosound 2 (their first command control decoders that only worked with DCS) there was still a substantial market for conventional AC trains in 3-rail O. Locosound was the successor to the original Protosound decoders that were manufactured by QSI and installed by MTH in their sound equipped engines. They have continued to offer Locosound in a hand full of entry level starter sets for those who don’t want or need full blown Protosound 2 or 3 decoders.
Just like in HO, you need to isolate track power between sections of your layout that are running conventional and command. Unlike HO and DCC, the DCS command signal can actually coexist on the same track at the same time as conventional AC. However, it’s not very practical to operate this way.
John, I’m not sure why you think this is so different from HO. If you bought a conventional DC HO starter set and wanted to upgrade it to DCC you would have to install a DCC decoder. Your Locosound engine is no different. If you want to run it in command you need to install a decoder. You could make it DCC with any 4amp+ decoder, make it DCS with a Protosound 2 decoder kit, or you could wait a little while for MTH to release Protosound 3 decoder kits that will run on either DCC or DCS. You have lots of options. The one thing that is different from HO is that the cost premium of purchasing a Protosound 3 engine vs. a Locosound engine is only about $70. It’s may well be cheaper to sell the Locosound engine and buy a PS3 engine rather than install a command decoder in the Locosound.