Right now I'm just doing a 2x5 switching layout cause that's all my current space will allow. I want to run DDC though as I still will have two engines and feel as though its overall better. Once I have a bigger layout I would like to buy a nicer system but right now I'm on a somewhat budget and would like to not spend $130+ on a system (right now). I found a older Atlas Commander DCC on ebay for a fairly good price and was wondering if anyone has one or had one and could tell me a little more. Would it be suitable for what I'm trying to do? Or is there any other cheap end systems I could use. I am using mostly flex track and atlas turnouts, don't know if that's any help.
You could get an NCE Powercab or a MRC Prodigy for about the same price. Maybe just a bit more for the NCE system. Either would be much better than the ATLAS system. JMO......Mike
The question that begs asking is, what do you consider a good price? I will answer the question as it was asked and not try to get you to buy a more expensive system. Some years ago I bought an old MRC 2000 DCC controller for $50.00. I could easily run a couple locos and was happy with it. Three throttles on a little console and two on a hand held remote. One throttle could run a loco with no decoder. I kept that to a minimum as it can be hard on the motor when the loco is sitting still. I could still run two locos together using two different trottles. Even my locos with sound would work. The chuffs and diesel sounds would work No control overr them.I just could not program anything but the loco number which was fine for about three years. No speed matching needed. I eventually bought a NCE Power Cab which is till limited to maybe three locos. No idea on what the Atlas Commander system can do. If all you want to do is run a couple locos, it should not be a problem. Rich
It really depends on your definition of "cheap". I have an Atlas system that I purchased as a used hobbyshop demonstrator, and I think it is a perfectly usable system for a small home layout (I also have an older Digitrax Challenger and Big Boy, plus Lenz set 90 & 100, and even an Arnold DCC console, all of which still work). However, there are pitfalls involved with buying into a system that is no longer supported by it's manufacturer, especially if you are not experienced with DCC. Buying used electronics that are not guaranteed to work is risky at best. Also, don't forget that the Atlas system had two major components, the Command Station Console and the power supply, and you need both if it's to be operational. Optional at extra cost was the corded handheld throttle and the panels that it plugs into. If the "cheap" system doesn't include the power supply, it likely won't be all that cheap by the time you get it working. Also, the Atlas is not something you can really add to if you want to expand into a more robust system, so whatever money you spend on it now will have to be written off later. If having analog capability is important to you, then the Digitrax Zephyr Extra could be a better choice even though it is a console unit, and adding a handheld throttle would be an extra cost to consider. Having analog capability can be convenient for testing a DC loco prior to installing a decoder, but really shouldn't be considered for long term operation (besides it's easy enough to have a test track with a DC power pack separate from the layout). The Zephyr can use up to two DC power packs as extra throttles, but these would have no programming functions or control any features other than direction and speed, and would also be console type throttles. Personally, I would recommend the NCE PowerCab as an excellent starter system (and it includes a handheld throttle, with a street price of about $150), but it is strictly DCC and cannot even test run a DC loco. It is compact, comes with a power supply, and if you move up to an NCE PowerHouse system, the PowerCab throttle can be used as a second throttle for the PH. If you don't care about having a handheld throttle, NCE has just released a console unit that has two throttles and is considerably less expensive than the PowerCab. Either of these would be my choice if I had no DCC system and was looking to get into DCC for a small home layout. Good Luck, Bill in FtL
