2R Atlas w/ TMCC?

I still use TMCC in my 2 rail. If It don't come factory any more I rip out what guts there are and put in TMCC replacements. I think it's a great and simple system and the sounds are unbeatable.

CofG

"The Right Way"

 Yeap, I just got an Atlas switcher. It sounds great and the speaker is tiny! I wish I had gotten more a while back. Now the choice's are less. DCC which I left so I'd have to rip it out, or get a 3rail Atlas (or 3rd Rail) with TMCC and convert to two rail.

At the time there was an interesting piece via TAS Train America Studios that allowed for the signal in both rails.  I believe Weaver still installs TMCC in two rail. 

Weaver RS3 models.  Second column. 

Here is a thread from earlier this month on a similar topic.

Atlas RS1 AC

I have 4 of them and use the engines continiously. The layout is wired so I can switch between 12VDC and 16VAC.

I have both TMCC andDCSon my layout.   They are perfectly compatible, and I have no problems with signal strength with either.  I wired my layout using DCS protocol.  In one place I had to sneak in a ground plane (actually 14 gauge wire) between two tracks for TMCC.  My TMCC locos were either Atlas 2 rail, or Atlas 3 rail/Sunset 3 rail that I converted to 2 rail.

However I prefer DCS, and now only have one TMCC locomotive left on my roster. It is an Atlas PRR RS-1 that I converted to 2 rail. (Redoing the handrails and fixed pilots is a long story). I plan to convert it to DCS someday, but I could be talked out of it.

TMCC is a pretty good system,  but there is one problem I have not been able to lick yet: The RS-1 stalls when going over my Atlas turnouts equipped with "Frog Lights"  (see the last issue of O Scale Trains).   That system uses a light bulb to prevent shorts due to improperly set turnouts, and TMCC does not like that light bulb in series with its signal  cable.  I reckon that problem could be solved if you use the TAS system for putting the TMCC signal on both rails, but that is more work than selling/converting one engine.

Over the years there have been modification of the antenna systems in the engines to enhance signal reception. Early SWs had a very small antenna, recent issues have an antenna across the inside of the roof.  The TAS device to add signal to the Power rail may have been as simple as an AC blocking capacitor, I don't have one, so I really don't know.  Of the command systems available TMCC is reliable, requiring minimal installation, one wire from the Command base to the Common rail(s).    

No TAS device needed, .15 microfarad coupling capacitors (i.e. RF coupling, 60Hz blocking) can be used.

See Carl Tuveson's S guage web site for details.

http://www.tuveson.com/TMCCSig...l__distributioni.htm

John,

How easy is that conversion? I assume one would have to buy wipers and such from Atlas and obtain two rail wheelsets from either Atlas or maybe Northwest Shortline. I've toyed with the idea of converting my Atlas fleet to two-rail TMCC (the pilots already are fixed and the full handrails installed) and similarly running DCS and TMCC for two-rail.

Thanks,

RM

Rich

I have done many two rail conversions on a variety of manufacturer's locomotives.  Probably ten-twelve total.  The biggest challenge for me was fixing the pilots and extending the handrails.  If you have that already done, then you are well ahead of the game.

For electrical pickups I make my own from a spring loaded brass plunger.  Use an escutcheon pin, a small spring, and a brass tube.  The following link may help you:

http://www.oscalemag.com/wordpress/?p=1154

As for the wheels.   For steamers or big bore electrics (GG1, P5a) I had Joe Foehrkolb to do the drivers.  For non driven wheels I generally use Precision Scale wheelsets. For driven wheelsets on MTH diesels I use the MTH 3-2 conversion wheelsets.   For driven wheelsets on Atlas diesels I have pressed on new wheels using the MTH wheelsets,  or bought a 2 rail loco and swapped trucks  (believe it or not, that is close to revenue neutral, if you are careful what you buy), or in one case bought the trucks from Atlas (that is the most expensive route!)

I never had a problem with them.   Atlas said there was no market so discontinued them after the first run of GP60s.

I certainly gave them points for trying.

Richard

That's an interesting solution. Any idea if it will interfere with a DCC or DCS signal?

 Wow, I've emailed Lionel (twice) and they get right back. I was looking for an aftermarket unit that was built with those inside. I hate to think I could goof something up with wrong polarity?

 I also hope this does not degrade my DCS signal. That would make me rip it out.

I don't think it would matter about DCC. You could not use them on the same track, right?

Thanks, John. I would have only diesels to do, and the ideal solution would be to swap out entire wheel sets and just re-wire the electrical pickup.

RM

Joe

You probably already know this, but just in case, inject the TMCC signal after the DCS TIU (on the output). That way the TMCC signal does not go through the TIU.  Also, make sure all your ground rails are connected per normal DCS practice.  If you break them as well, you may not notice a degradation with DCS alone, but everything will go to pieces when you add TMCC.

As I said eralier they are completely compatabile with each other.   But not with DCC