This Handheld and TIU cost about $260.00 on ebay. It would be best to check out this MTH link for all the functionality of the system. The Handheld has upgradeable software that can be downloaded from the MTH website. There is a lot to read here. In short, it's another system to chose from like DCC, Scale Command [Lionels TMCC], LGB's MTS, Locolinc, RCS, etc. In the Ogauge world - about 25-30% of them use some type of remote control function that let's your control up to 99 or more locomotives at once. There are various options available in DCS like sound, uncoupling, smoke control, mu'ing, etc. Most of the Ogauge world runs TMCC and DCS [DCS can control TMCC but TMCC cannot control DCS]. Both TMCC and DCS offer an incredible amount of functionality but the downside is that the locomotives tend to be more like miniature computers. Lionel has wisely licensed TMCC to several other Ogauge Train Manufacturers but they haven't upgraded their basic system much in the last 8 years. And the MTH system DOES control the TMCC locomotives so you can get buy running your favorite Lionel, K-Line, Weaver and MTH engine using DCS to operate the Command control functions. And as stated, most of the Ogauge offerings come with the Sound cards/system boards already IN the engine. Hence - the Gauge 1 Hudson has most of the workings [less the proto coupler - remote control coupler] that the Ogauge engines have BUT, as stated, you need a MTH Handheld unit and the Track Interface Unit to run ALL the functions. You can run an MTH loco with DC or AC power but you do NOT have to have an AC power source to run the DCS system. The local store that has a Hudson hooked up and running DCS uses a Bridgewerks DC power transformer. The power is lead is hooked up directly to the DC power lead and into the T.I.U. The power then comes out from the TIU and hooks up to the 2 Rail Large Scale track [as seen in the photo above]. This was also shown at the most recent ECLSTS in York. Andy Edelmann of MTH did a presentation about all the features and functions of the DCS system. The Bridgewerks power supply was used [DC power]. They even had an LGB engine on the track. This was actually controlled using the DCS handheld in a conventional mode. |
Photos of one of the newest Large Scale engine to hit the streets... The MTH Gauge 1 Hudson. There have been some fine formal and informal reviews. One of the points of confusion and contention is how does it work with respect to the DCS system. And just what is the DCS, Proto 2 system? The MTH Hudson has a proprietary system, much like Lionel's TMCC. Currently Lionel is offering up a two rail version of TMCC called Scale Command. You need the DCS system to run all the to access ALL the functions available in the MTH Hudson. This is much like the proprietary components that you would to run and LGB with their MTS system. The DCS system has been out for quite some time now [first 50 units hit the USA in April of 2002]. All the "innards" needed to run the full functionality of the MTH Hudson is virtually in the locomotive. There is no extra decoder is needed to plug in. Virtually ALL the MTH locos that MTH sells now already has all the DCS electronics in them now. That is why some don't like the Hudson...they can't put their favorite R/C system or DCC system in it without yanking out all the electronics. MTH does offer some sound only type Locomotives that don't have ALL the guts in them [Called Locosounds] but they don't make as many of them anymore. As a matter of fact - I don't think they make them at ALL anymore as the price point has dropped down so much for the DCS locomotives |
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MTH Hudson and DCS - Power and Control by Stephen Podwojski |
This Handheld and TIU cost about $260.00 on ebay. It would be best to check out this MTH link for all the functionality of the system. The Handheld has upgradeable software that can be downloaded from the MTH website. There is a lot to read here. In short, it's another system to chose from like DCC, Scale Command [Lionels TMCC], LGB's MTS, Locolinc, RCS, etc. In the Ogauge world - about 25-30% of them use some type of remote control function that let's your control up to 99 or more locomotives at once. There are various options available in DCS like sound, uncoupling, smoke control, mu'ing, etc. Most of the Ogauge world runs TMCC and DCS [DCS can control TMCC but TMCC cannot control DCS]. Both TMCC and DCS offer an incredible amount of functionality but the downside is that the locomotives tend to be more like miniature computers. Lionel has wisely licensed TMCC to several other Ogauge Train Manufacturers but they haven't upgraded their basic system much in the last 8 years. And the MTH system DOES control the TMCC locomotives so you can get buy running your favorite Lionel, K-Line, Weaver and MTH engine using DCS to operate the Command control functions. And as stated, most of the Ogauge offerings come with the Sound cards/system boards already IN the engine. Hence - the Gauge 1 Hudson has most of the workings [less the proto coupler - remote control coupler] that the Ogauge engines have BUT, as stated, you need a MTH Handheld unit and the Track Interface Unit to run ALL the functions. You can run an MTH loco with DC or AC power but you do NOT have to have an AC power source to run the DCS system. The local store that has a Hudson hooked up and running DCS uses a Bridgewerks DC power transformer. The power is lead is hooked up directly to the DC power lead and into the T.I.U. The power then comes out from the TIU and hooks up to the 2 Rail Large Scale track [as seen in the photo above]. This was also shown at the most recent ECLSTS in York. Andy Edelmann of MTH did a presentation about all the features and functions of the DCS system. The Bridgewerks power supply was used [DC power]. They even had an LGB engine on the track. This was actually controlled using the DCS handheld in a conventional mode. |
The above is the handheld DCS controller and the Track Interface Unit [T.I.U.[ |
Close up of the MTH Gauge 1 Hudson. The details are very good on this model and the it is spot on for 1:32 scale |
The MTH Hudson has a 3 position switch for smoke. And it does smoke better than any Large Scale engine seen. The Ogauge Proto 2 engines can have the smoke controlled remotely via the DCS system but that is not the case in the Gauge 1 Hudson. |
This page was last updated on: April 16, 2003
