Can TMCC and later sound systems operate w/ ZW?

It should work, but many times the ZW whistle diodes are going bad or are already gone.  Also, to get a decent DC offset on the whistle requires some current flow, try adding a few lighted passenger cars and see if it works.

According to the Lionel listing for this item, it only has Signal Sounds with Bell/Whistle.  It was cataloged in 2000, which was before the more recent Trainsounds that has some of the background sounds you are looking for (chuffing).

As John said, the diodes in an old ZW can go bad.

If you can find them, you can substitute a quantity of 2 #5906 sound activation buttons to activate bell and whistle without messing with the ZW itself.  You would need to add one of these to get bell activation anyway with just the ZW, since the ZW only has a whistle lever.  (at least that is probably the cheapest way)

Good Luck.

-Dave

You can also find the two RS4 cards fairly cheaply and upgrade it to have the chuffing as well.  You might have to add a chuff switch as I don't see one in the parts breakdown.

Nothing is ever simple.

Hi

Here is my two cents.

Fast easy way is this:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/LIONEL...;hash=item487dcd4d8a

However to do it the right way you would need to install Zener Diode:

http://www.newark.com/solid-st...00000001?gross_price=

Here is the thread about it and Don Johnson is the ZW Zener Diode person.

https://ogrforum.com/t...923#2415514336488923

Also please note that old ZW circuit breaker will NOT protect the modern electronics. There is a chance that you could fry the board. Here is that circuit protection details.

http://www.jcstudiosinc.com/TV...ar-Layout-Protection This is a Dale H design and it works.