A small first step??

How many simultaneous trains do you have in mind?  Probably the cheapest way to get in the door is using a CAB1 and PowerMasters.  Unless you have very high current draw trains, you can get away with the fairly cheap 135W PowerMaster version.  I see them on eBay and here all the time.  I've picked them up for as little as $15 on eBay.  The CAB1 goes for $50-75 there as well.

There are lots of other ways to go, and I'm sure folks will be along to tell you about them.

Do you already have any power supplies or transformers?  Cab-1 and PM are very flexible as John mentioned.  If you have a MTH Z-4000 they are rereleasing their Z-4000 remote.  G

Thank you both for your responses.  I have a couple of reconditioned ZW's powering my layout and at the moment three independent loops. Would a CAB1 and a 135W Powermaster be my best bet if I just wanted to operate one train on each loop?  Is it the kind of initial set-up that would allow me to build up later to multiple trains on the same loop?

Bob

Yes that would work fine but you will need a powermaster for each independent loop if you want multiple trains at once. One train at a time means a cab1 and a powermaster. Add a powermaster for each additional Loop/Train.

Ron

I believe you need one PowerMaster per loop for your current setup.  If you want to run more than one train per loop then you will either need to add blocks or go to command control.

I guess I should have been more clear, I said PowerMaster(s) for a reason, the previous responses are correct, one for each independently powered loop.

John,

Just to clarify - for one train each on three independent loops I would need three Powermasters and one CAB1?  Is that correct?

Bob

Bob,

Yes

Is a command base also needed, or just the CAB-1 with three Powermasters on the above described layout? Not trying to confuse the issue- just to clarify things in my own mind.

Bill

The PowerMaster receives commands directly from the CAB1, so you don't need a command base if all you have are PowerMasters.

Thanks, Gunnrunnerjohn. I never realized that the CAB-1 could communicate directly with the Powermaster without the command base. I am amazed at the engineering genius designed into the TMCC system.

Bill

Well, perhaps a little shy of genius, but it works.  The reason here is the CAB1/PowerMaster combination was actually designed before they added the CAB1 to create the full TMCC system.  Originally, they just wanted the ability to run conventional trains using a wireless remote, exactly what you're wanting to do.  Later they added the TMCC capability with the command base.

That is how I'm running this circa 1940's rig.  With a brick, a Powermaster and the Cab1.  No Command Base necessary to run in conventional.

Need a little help - I have connected a Powermaster command base to a conventional layout and I am using a CAB-1 remote.  What exactly are the steps I take to control one conventional engine with my remote?  I can't seem to find the explicit instructions for just this simple set-up in the manual.

Thanks,

Bob

Make sure the power master is in run mode, not program. On the cab-1, press TR, 1, then boost and your layout and loco should come to life.

If you bought the PowerMaster used, you probably want to program it first.

As compared to the early Powermasters[I only had one that expired fairly soon], my old TPCs from IC Controls provided far better speed control of my conventionsl engines---smoother starts and a lower speed level.

If I recall accurately you program the PowerMaster as follows [but I no longer have one and I am not dead certain]:

Move the Run/Program Switch to program, Press TR then 1. then press Set on bottom of the Cab 1, switch back to Run. Select TR1 on the Cab 1, turn the red knob and take off.

Thanks guys for the help.  I did buy my Command Base used.  The model I have does not have any slide switches on the side.  It does have a receptacle on the end for a computer hook-up.  No cable came with the unit nor were there any programming instructions.  So assuming the unit needs to be "re-programmed" as John suggested, what kind of a cable do I need and where would I find instructions on how to program the unit?

Bob

Just checking, but are you sure you have a Powermaster? It should have two slide switches on one side: one for PROG/RUN and one for CMD/CONV. You can download the manual from the Lionel website. At the top should be a slide switch for selecting either 135 or 180 watts, the power supply plug and the A and U terminals.

Note that the command base is not required to use the PowerMaster, the CAB1 talks directly to the PowerMaster.  There is no programming of the command base in any case.

Gentlemen - the unit I have is labeled a "Trainmaster Base."  Do I have the wrong equipment?

Bob

I unplug the Command Base on my system when running in Conventional mode.

ddurling is raising the right questions in his post above.

To run Conventional from the handheld Cab 1 you only need:

 your ZW AC  transformer and a Powermaster*. Read again William1's post above. He is using a brick[transformer] and a PowerMaster--thats all,"no Command Base necessary".

*a TPC {Track power Controller] will work in place of the Powermaster if you find one cheap.

Hi Dewey,

Thanks for your note.  I presume it is not possible to operate a single conventional engine with a ZW, a CAB-1 and a Trainmaster.

Bob

I am now aware that there is a distinction between a Trainmaster and a Powermaster.  I seem to have a Trainmaster and it has no slide switches on the side of the unit. The question now is - Is it possible to control a conventional engine with what I have?

Bob

The Trainmaster is referred to as a Command Base here.  It will not control a train in conventional.

The Powermaster has an input for power from a transformer, and a variable-voltage output to the track.  The CAB1 can talk directly to the Powermaster to vary the voltage.

Thanks Dale.  Sure would be nice if Lionel was more explicit in the description of their product offerings.   What can be done with just a Trainmaster and a CAB-1 unit?

Bob

You can run any TMCC/Legacy equipped locomotive (some Legacy features won't work), and you can control the various Lionel devices such as SC2, TPC, BPC, and other similar device.  It is a good start for your system.

Thanks all for your help. With your advice I have concluded that what I need is a Lionel Powermaster and what I have is a Lionel Trainmaster Command Base.  Now I know what to do next.

Bob

Hello

Hello

Is there some point in reviving a two year old thread with nothing but one word?

Gunrunnerjohn,

Not sure where this came from. None of my doing I can assure you.

Bob

Seems to be an awful lot of "old thread revival" these days. We must be running out of things to compl...talk about.

It wasn't you Bob, check above my post.  A new user posted a couple of one word posts.  Either he's confused or he's trying to annoy us.

  Not at this time of year.

Many seem to be suffering from Pre-York tension, catalogue anxiety, O-blindness and other assorted ailments.

All of which add to the general partisan orneriness of the forum, and make for some entertaining reading. 

Maybe just too much time on his hands.