Can tmcc and dcs run on the same track ?

Yes u can !!!!

Yes. I run TMCC/Legacy and DCS on the same tracks all of the time.

Is there a special way it needs to be setup ?

 

Is there a special way it needs to be setup ?

No, there is not. Just connect both individually.

 

However, if you want to operate both DCS and TMCC engines from the DCS Remote, as well as operate TMCC engines from the Cab-1, you'll need an MTH #50-1032 cable (http://www.mthtrains.com/content/50-1032) for $24.95.

 

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!

Is there a way I can also run conventionly using the handle on the z4000 ?

Is there a way I can also run conventionly using the handle on the z4000 ?

Yes, you can do that using any TIU channel, however, I can't see any good reason to do so.

 

It would make more sense to use the TIU Tracks on the Variable channels, or Z4K Tracks on any channel usuing a Z4000 Remote Cpommmnander receiver.

 

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!

Yeah, just don't put each's supporters in the same room!!

<ROTFLMAO>!  That's very true.

Both systems' signals will co-exist on the same track at the same time:

 

 

In the above pic, the CSX unit in front is running in DCS command mode. The Conrail unit coupled behind is a TMCC unit also running in command mode.

 

Below is the control box setup for my test track:

--the TIU/barrel-jack card refers to the power cable from my Z-1000 to the TIU, not the one connecting the Command base to the TIU)

 

--the second set of wires coming out of the TIU is for conventional operation--the corresponding power inputs are bridged together so that both outputs are powered.

 

In the above configuration, one can operate TMCC units with either the DCS remote or the TMCC one. At the time of the photo I didn't have a TMCC remote, so this is how I ran the train in the top photo, switching back and forth between locomotives to gradually increase speed, and then to bring them to a stop.

 

(and yes, I've already been teased about not removing the foam strips--the CSX ones were brand new, and I had hurriedly unboxed the Lionel unit just to pull this stunt, and shot the photo before any effort to make things look nicey-nice.)

 

---PCJ

I have four blocks wired in a stared pattern. I understand how to wire for tmcc and dcs on the same

but I'm not sure how to wire so I can run conventional using the z4000 handles. Can someone explain this.

 

 Also what type of toggle swit,ches should I use for block control ?

 

Jimmy,

 

You wire using the variable channels instead of the fixed channels. Just be sure to either jumper from one the input of one of the variable channels to the input for fixed channel #1.

 

Even better, power the TIU using its Aux. Power port.

 

For details, refer to The DCS O Gauge Companion 2nd Edition, Part VII - Operating Conventional Engines.

 

Use any quality DPDT or DPST toggle switch rated for 10 amps or higher.

 

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

   

  If the center is off on a dpdt do I need to wire both sides of the toggle switch or leave one side not

Wired ? 

Jimmy,

 

You always only need to switch the Hot wire.

Thanks Barry for your help. I brought your book today and started reading it.

---

 

Jimmy,

 I brought your book today and started reading it.

In that case, thank you!

Barry,

 

  Sorry for all these questions. I tried what you said by using the variable port on the tiu but I still cannot run conventional using the handle on the zd4000.

 

   Jimmy

Jimmy,

I tried what you said by using the variable port on the tiu but I still cannot run conventional using the handle on the zd4000

Please describe in detail how you wired and provided power to the TIU, exactly what ypu did to attempt to operate conventionally and exactly what happened.

Barry,

  Thanks for all your help. I got it all to work.

 

  Jimmy

 

Not to hijack your thread, but the next question is how to get tmcc to respond to dcs remote.  Do you first have to set it up w/cab1 or can the dcs do it w/o lionel remote?  If this should be on its own thread let me know and i will do so. Thanks

You do not need the Lionel remote to operate a TMCC locomotive with DCS.  The DCS instruction manual (as well as Barry's DCS Companion book) explain how to do it.

You can do almost all operations with the DCS remote, however there are a few that are problematic due to the lack of a SET key on the DCS Remote.

 

To use it, you just need the MTH TMCC<->DCS cable from the command base to the TIU.

Allan in the dcs instructions about the fourth step it tells you to enter the engine Id number from the lionel set up.  I don't have a clue what that is or if it's necessary.  And I will take your advice on Barry's book lots of reference to that on here, must be a good one.
John the. Command tiu and cable is what I have followed the wiring in the advanced section of the dcs instructions. Tried several times to program the lionel but no go. First time it lit up with the sounds when i powers the rails. Second time Didn't do anything tried several different times to program. ?? have two proto2 engines that were working but can't get the tmcc to program. Thank you both for the info

Do you have the TIU-TMCC cable plugged in according to the markings on the plugs?

 

Both ends of the cable look identical, but there is a specific "TIU" end and a "TMCC" end (the designations are molded into the plugs). The cable can be hooked up backwards, but it won't work that way.

 

---PCJ

Allan in the dcs instructions about the fourth step it tells you to enter the engine Id number from the lionel set up.  I don't have a clue what that is or if it's necessary

 

What it's telling you is that (1) You must give your TMCC engine an ID number, using the TMCC system.  Let's say I want to run my Legacy GP9, Wabash #484 on my DCS layout.  I'd place the GP9 switch to PROGRAM, set the GP9 on a TMCC track, add the engine, giving it a number (say, 84).  Then set the switch to RUN.

 

Then (2) you place the TMCC engine on a DCS track and add it into the DCS handheld as a TMCC engine.

 

I've left some of the sub-steps out, but basically that's what those instructions are telling you to do.

 

Now...seems like a while back I asked this question and the consensus was, if you're going to run a TMCC engine via DCS, that it wasn't necessary to 1st add it (and assign a number) via the TMCC system.  But my brain cells aren't what they used to be so would someone please confirm all this?

I found my previous post concerning the Program/Run switch:

 

https://ogrforum.com/t...32#13256332702211032

 

Do the answers on this link ONLY pertain to ERR equipped engines or TMCC in general?

If your engine has a TMCC number, you don't have to set it to program, you can simply add it and pick the proper number for the engine.  Setting it to program allows the DCS system to configure the TMCC address.

 

The answers in the other thread appear to apply to any TMCC or Legacy locomotive.

thank for all of the responses!  got home this afternoon and checked wiring, cable is right way.  I read bobs thread and as much as this topic was hashed there you would think I could figure it out but no.  I don't know if this engine has a id number or not I tried using 1,2,and 3 and a few other random ones can't get it to go. tried it in conventional mode every thing works.  does it matter that there are other locos on the track at the same time?  

as a side note now the dcs won't detect one of the proto2 locos.  guess ill start working on that now>>>>

 

Maybe it's time to connect the TIU to a test track and just put the TMCC locomotive on it and see how that goes.  Perhaps you have too many variables.

I finally got the lionel tmcc engine to go. Thanks for all the help.  ended up taking everything off of the track except it as john said above.  I then sat down w the remote and programmed tmcc engines named 1-10 with corresponding tmcc id numbers.  then checked all of the wiring again and started turning on engines no 2 was it.  I still don't know why no2 didn't work yesterday when I tried it but no matter now.

Maybe this tidbit will help the next guy.  

Next up is to figure out why the proto2 engines have to be reprogrammed every time they sit for more than a couple minutes (even on live track).

What do you mean "reprogrammed"?  Are you saying you have to add them to the remote again?

John, that is what I meant but after playing with them for a while might be a track problem.  Sometimes when you give a command it says check track, move a little farther and everything works fine.  My "layout" is more of a test track, a circle with two sidings, so that's the next part of the learnig curve.  

OK, with a full loop and sidings do this as step 1:

Make one disconnect in the center rail.

This makes the loop into a block.

If you don't do that the signals run around the track in both directions from the power connection and overlap each other going in the other direction.

This creates the tower of babel for the DCS signal.

Making the sidings separate blocks can also help.

 

And I'll plug Barry's book here, It explains all this with pictures and so much more.