[CTValleyRR]

Honestly, I would advise against that. The technology and features of DCC have come a long way since that was released. For about twice what he's asking, you can get a brand spanking new Prodigy Express2, their 3rd generation of that model. Yes, it's more out of pocket, but you're comparing a new Corvette to a used Chevette.

 

[CTValleyRR]

Thanks CTV,
Okay, old unit too far outdated then, got it.
So I did look into your comparative recommendation. The express 2 seems a bit light on current @ 1.6 amps. Seems that it does not control accessory decoders either. All for the cheapest price I could find @ $161.00 + shpg.

Doesn't control accessory decoders? That's news to me. It doesn't handle automatic route alignment on turnouts, no, but it will access and run any decoder with a valid address, whether stationary or mobile. It handles long addresses, giving you essentially 9999 options to chose from. I may be misremembering, but the Prodigy only uses a short address mode,for 99 options.

Also, resist the temptation to "overamp" your layout. As Don said, 1.6 amps is plenty to operate (and that means in motion and using features) up to 3 sound equipped locomotives simultaneously. Are you really going to be doing more than that? It's also FAR cheaper to simply add a booster for more current than to pay for a lot of DCC features you don't need, especially if you're talking about the potential for future upgrades.

 

[CTValleyRR]

“Doesn’t control accessory decoders?”
Just repeating what I read from the website .

Dang! Ain't that something. I guess they regressed between the Prodigy Express and the Express2. Most likely the marketing department won that battle pushing for a lower price point.

Anyway, neat thing about the MRC systems. All the brains are in the handheld units; amps come from the little connection box. Get an Advance2 handheld (or a Wireless handheld and a "wireless conversion" dongle), and presto! You have an Advance2, albeit with the lower power output of the Express2). Yeah, it's a little more, but not nearly as much as an Advance2 or Wireless is up front.

 

[CTValleyRR]

So that makes the objection to "not addressing accessory decoders" moot, because the OP would need that Dispatch Throttle for the AD-150 as well.

Interesting observation about your dad's layout. I've only ever owned MRC products (although I've used others), other than a brief misstep with a Bachmann Dynamis system, which I can't recommend. I've never had reason to complain. I had MRC DC power packs, then Prodigy Express, then Wireless. I'm much less picky about how many power feeders I wire in, because I've never had trouble with long stretches of track without feeders. I hadn't previously considered that maybe that has something to do with my choice of systems.