I'm wondering about the capabilities of the MRC and Atlas DCC units. I have a very small layout that I will operate by myself 95% of the time. I will normally run 2 MAYBE 3 trains. My question is about MUing (consisting). Do both have the same capabilities in this area? When people say MRC can run 10 engines, does 2 units MU'd together count as one or two? THanks for your help!
For its day, MRC was a great little system to get into, but it is dated now. I would highly recommend the Atlas over the MRC system. It is my understanding that you can't MU with MRC but you can with Atlas. Atlas is a much better system for your needs and expandible if you should build another larger layout latter. MRC isn't expandible.
RSN48 is correct. I have the MRC system and it does well for myself, but.... To mu on the MRC you either have to control two different throttles (really not that difficult), or address the two locos to the same address. When they say that it will run 10 locos they really meen 10 different locos. But between the base unit and the walkarround there are only a total of 5 throttles. How they get the 10 different addresses is to have an A-B switch. So you have throttle 1A and 1B and so on. In therory you could run 10 different trains at ounce, if you can remember which train is on which address. HMMM lets see did I assaign the coal train to 5A or was it 3B And here comes the Powhattan Arrow . .....Mike
I have the MRC Command 2000 unit with the handheld. I can say that I successfully MU a pair of Atlas SD-35's on a regular basis. It's as simple as setting them to the same address. Now, it does take a little experimentation to match the starting voltage. Other than that, it's easy. Now admitedly, by myself, I can't handle more than two trains (even that's a challenge! ) So, the MRC system is fine for me. However, I would have to agree, the Atlas system seems like it might be a better way to go, but remember there is no handheld throttle right now with Atlas. MRC has a handheld. In fact, I don't really use the base unit, except to change addresses (you don't REALLY program with the MRC). I exclusively use the handheld, giving me throttles 7 & 8. I have not used the A/B switch, unless I want to lose control of a train and have it go running through the wrong end of the turnout and maybe hitting the floor. Remember, the system that is best for you does not have to be the best for someone else. It's your railroad, you run it the way YOU want to...just have fun and run trains. Jeff Augsburg & Concord R.R. (a fictional shortline in Central Illinois) http://www.acrr.rrdepot.com
Jeff, Thanks for the input. You make it sound easy to use - and thats key for me. I am a ways away from having the layout ready for DCC so I will hold off on a final decision, but it will be one of these two. Scot
I also post in the Atlas forum in N scale. I was comparing MRC and Atlas in a post and criticizing Atlas for not coming out with a hand held. (BY the way, I run Digitrax...just so you know). The manager of the DCC system left a post under my thread, announcing the hand helds will be released shortly. Get the Atlas system. You are less likely to regret it than buying the MRC. The reason there have been so many cheap MRC's available on ebay is that people have upgraded because they weren't happy.
