Command control switches!!!!!

Ed, Yes just remove the controllers. These are great switches, never a problem in over a year of continuous use.

You don't need the controller to program the switch, just punch the little button and when the light is blinking, set the address.  

Question: Do the new Fastrack command control switches work with the TMCC CAB-1?

Yes, they work just fine. I run between my Legacy and Cab1 remote all the time without any problems. I just wish they had come to market sooner!

I may have to list my non-command switches and upgrade, after fooling with the command one, I can see the benefits.  I am using SC-2 controllers for the switches, it would be much easier not to have to wire at all.

I'm glad to learn that the new Fastrack command control switches will operate with the older TMCC with CAB-1. I am just now in the process of building a new Fastrack 6x16 layout and will buy a couple of command control O-60 switches, but can only justify buying a couple at a time. (I gave all my Lionel tubular track and switches to my son for his planned toy train layout in his new house.)

Bill

When I first I saw the TMCC switches, my first thought was 'Wow, do you know how easy it will be to build a layout with those.'  No switch wiring.  That sure simplifies things.  Great idea, but too late for me.

Are there stand alone switch machines that work on TMCC and will work with Atlas switches?

 

Yes the Z-Stuff DZ2500 switch machines can be mounted to the Atlas Switches and are command controlled. They have TMCC built right in. They still have to be wired though. They need an AC (10-14 volts) supply and a data wire to each switch. The data wire driver (a separate module) hooks to your base and then supplies the commands to the data wire for all the machines. There have been good and bad comments on these machines. Personally I have had pretty good luck with these. I have 13 operational at present.

Doesn't sound like it eliminates any wiring.

The DZ 2500 eliminates the need for an ASC or SC switch controller and the wiring to them,  It gets the TMCC signal through a data wire.  Just needs power and data wire connections.   Also, I have 3 ASCs for 12 switches.  They are full-4 switches per ASC.   If I want to add 1 or 2 switches only, I don't need another ASC.  Just add a DZ 2500 as needed.  And you can use the Dat port on an ASC as your data wire feed to the DZ 2500.  I doublechecked this with Lionel.  I don't have a DZ 2500 yet, or need one right now, but I'm dying to get one just to try it out... 

John it doesn't eliminate ALL the wiring but it does simplify it considerably. You just need a 3 wire buss strung around the layout ( I used CAT3 phone wire) and tie the switch machines and data wire driver to the buss. They don't have to be in any sequence on the buss. My data wire driver is tied to the middle of the buss.

Ron

Good point on the bus, that's easier than the home runs for switches.  OTOH, I don't see either as being much of an issue, since I use CAT5 wire for those tasks.

I must admit you can't beat the Fastrack switches. Data and power both from the track. Auto derail switching maybe?

Ron

Auto-derailing?  Fastrack switches have that.

How about that. I think they would look kind of funny between my atlas track though.

Naw, they'd fit right in.

I got my first command switch, a forum purchase here.  It really is pretty cool, I just slapped it in, programmed it's number, and it was available on the CAB2.  I think in the future, any more switch purchases will be command switches.

I just added a Fastrack command control switch to my layout. Now I have a question for you. The switch works fine with the lever control. However, it doesn't react when I send it commands from the CAB-1.

 

I pushed the little program button until the lantern light started blinking and re-set the switch to SW #1 according to the instructions, but the light continues to blink even after I push SET on the CAB-1. When I power everything down and then power up, the switch comes back online as a remote control switch, but not command control.

 

Do I have to remove the lever control from the switch in order for it to operate in command mode? It didn't say anything about this in the instruction manual. Did I miss something?

 

Bill

It sounds like it's not seeing the command carrier.  Did you try it with the command base wired directly to an outside rail of the switch to see if it's just not working properly?

John,

 

The one command control switch I just bought creates a siding on my O-60 outer loop.  A TMCC locomotive sitting on the siding receives the signals from the CAB-1 just fine.

 

I removed the switch and one piece of track and connected the TMCC comand base directly to the outer rail. Power from the Z-4000 was also connected directly to this switch segment (switch and one piece of track so connections can be plugged into the track.) I still cannot set the switch ID# using the CAB-1.

 

Following the directions that came with the switch, I did the following.

1. Plugged the command base directly into the wall socket

2. Powered up the transformer to 18 volts (switch light comes on)

3. Pushed the programming button on the switch roadbed. Switch light begins to blink as it should

4. On the CAB-1 (with fresh batteries) I pressed SW, the number 1, and then SET. The switch light continues blinking, and the switch does not obey command control instructions sent via the CAB-1.

 

When I turn off the power, and then power up again, the switch comes back online and works fine with the remote control lever. The light does not blink, but the switch will not function with CAB-1 commands.

 

I wonder if I have a faulty switch and should return it to Charles Ro for a replacement? In fifty years of running Lionel, I've never bought a piece of gear that was faulty. I guess I've been pretty lucky! This Fastrack is something new for me, however.

 

Bill

Sounds like a bad switch, it really is that easy to configure them.

Wow, John. Thanks for the immediate advice. I will have to call Charles Ro to get an authorization to exchange the switch for another one.

Thank you,

Bill

Well, I just slapped them into the track, pushed the button, and keyed in the set.

My defective Fastrack O-60 CC switch is on its way back to Charles Ro. The gentleman in customer service was very courteous.

Bill

Bill/others - I don't know why this would be, but is it possible the switch won't take the command to be programmed as ID #1 because it comes as ID #1 out of the box?

I doubt that would matter and it probably was defective. Justy own curiousity bringing up the question.

I just got my first command control switch last night. Programmed it in about 5 seconds. They are awesome.

Nope, I just tried that, and it worked fine.  Took the programming just like always.

John you beat me to it. I just got home and was going to try myself. I didn't think it would matter but I was curious.

When we were testing the first prototypes, it seemed like we had to hold the set button on the CAB-1 for a few seconds until the lantern LED responded. Maybe that's not the case any more?

Are you punishing him for something, Bill?

 

BTW, I noticed your name, and learned its meaning a number of years ago through my father-in-law (who is now living with us, 91 yrs old). He was a plankowner on his Fletcher class destroyer on which he spent 3 fun-filled years in the South Pacific during WWII.

How do you calculate how many switches and trains you can have on the track with your transformer? Do these command control switch that now use track power take up a lot of power?

The command switches draw very little power, look inside.  Fastrack switches aren't going to be a problem as far as power draw is concerned.  I'm wager that old PW switches consumed far more power, just to light the bulb!

The switches probably only take only a momentary power draw when the switch is activated.  And a very small constant draw for the switch lamp. 

The little DC motor in the Fastrack switches doesn't take much power, nothing like the solenoid firing in an O22 style switch.

Thank you, good to know! Have to say I love how easy it was to set up these switches with Legacy

That's good to know.  I hope to be delving into the world of Legacy and Fastrack real soon.

RoyBoy,

I tried holding the SET button down for extended time, but the switch direction light would not quit blinking. I returned the switch to the retailer a while back, and I just received a UPS notice that a package from that store is enroute to me. I am anxious to get this replacement/repaired switch installed on my new Fastrack layout.

Bill

I'm guessing this one will work better.  I only had to hit the switch briefly to get it blinking, as soon as I issue the SET, it stops and the switch works from the CAB2.

Charles Ro Supply Co. sent me a replacement Fastrack Command Control O-60 switch for the faulty one and it works perfectly on my layout. Command Control switches are great! I am ready to add a few more switches now. My thanks to Charles Ro for the excellent customer service.

 

Bill