I currently am using an MTH Z-1000 Brick to power my TIU.
Can I add some of the new Lionel Trains to this layout and use DCS?
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You can use DCS and TMCC together, but to run Lionel command, you need as a minimum the TMCC command base connected to the TIU, then you can use the DCS remote to control the TMCC trains. Obviously, you can run Lionel trains in conventional mode using the TIU variable channels if that floats your boat.
Lionel engines needs the TMCC or Legacy command base. They will not run in Command Mode without one of those devicesthem. You can run them in conventional mode.
Once you add the command base (tmcc or legacy), you can run both mth and Lionel the same time on the same loop. On 9 of my loops trains from both vendors run simultaneously.
And these have to be "TMCC or Legacy" specific engines?
You can operate virtually any O, No. 1 or HO gauge engine under DCS, with the following caveats:
- MTH PS2 and PS3 engines under command control
- TMCC or Legacy engines under conventional control without any additional hardware
- TMCC or Legacy engines under TMCC command control, provided you add either a Lionel TMCC Command Base or Lionel Legacy Command Base; as well as either the corresponding TMCC Cab-1 or Legacy Cab-2 controller or an MTH #50-1032 cable
- Any other conventional engine (prewar, postwar, MPC, Williams, MTH PS1, etc) under conventional control without any additional hardware.
For more information regarding operating TMCC, Legacy or conventional engines under DCS control, I recommend purchasing The DCS O Gauge Companion 2nd Edition.
This and a whole lot more is all in "The DCS O Gauge Companion 2nd Edition", now available for purchase as an eBook or a printed book from MTH's web store site! Click on the link below to go to MTH's web page for the book!
Barry you were faster that me SEE ABOVE.
You need to understand why and how you can control Lionel TMCC with MTH DCS.
There is a downloadable guide that was written by one of the Forum members that explains how Lionel's TMCC was designed to be run from a computer; and that MTH incorporated that computer control within their DCS system.
So you need to have the Lionel TMCC or legacy system attached to the DCS to have the DCS control the TMCC.
Thanks so much to Barry and everyone else! I just ordered the book!
So Dr. Barry, do you make house calls? 
