controlling Lionel in DCS environment

Looking forward to seeing  the responses on this if using the mth system to send the serial commands to the command bases.  Today I use the original Lionel command base and run both Legacy and TMCC engines through the DCS remote ( where the TIU is connected to the command base through a serial cable) but I am curious what the advantages are when using cab1L base instead for the same set up.

If you want full Legacy compatibility, you'll want the Legacy system.  Not any real difference between using the old TMCC BASE1 and the newer BASE1L, you get TMCC compatibility.

You will want a remote as there are certain operations that you can't perform through the DCS systems.

So all i really want out the lionel command would be speed control, horn whistle and couplers....will i get that with the MTH remote?

Yes, you will get that and smoke control through the DCS remote if the lionel command base is linked to the TIU with the serial cable.  This is how and run my trains and really like that all my engines are listed in the same remote.   For my first 10 years of running Lionel TMCC engines with the DCS remote, I didn’t  own a Lionel remote at all.  The only reason I finally purchased the Lionel remote was for needing access to some feature set settings required when upgrading a board on a Lionel engine.

Mike and John are definitely correct, and while I am working toward a system set up much like theirs (TIU with Legacy base attached), I currently run the few Lionel locomotives (all Bluetooth equipped) I have through the LionChief app on my phone with an MTH Explorer DCS system.  The Explorer isn’t ideal, but I have a new WTIU on order and this should be out this fall.

There are some drawbacks of course. When power is applied, any Legacy loco automatically powers up, sound and all where my MTH locos need “started” first. To rectify this, I have a couple switched power blocks where I can park my legacy locos when not being used.   Another drawback is that you don’t get all the Legacy functionality. This I can live with for the time being.

Just offering my two cents.

So how much do i lose just operating with the Lionchief app....Maybe that is where i start?  

@msp posted:

So how much do i lose just operating with the Lionchief app....Maybe that is where i start?  

I am not sure if I am the best person to answer this question. I know that individual crew talks cannot be controlled. The 5 bell types and 5 whistle types that are available in the newest Lionel locos are not available. One big missing function is the ability to do multiple unit lash-ups.  Though there are a few exceptions, most Legacy locos require the full Legacy or TMCC system to create a MU set  

My legacy GS-4 has full movement functionality including momentum.  I can turn on and off the default bell and whistle.  It can do crew talk, though not user selected, but a random output  Smoke can be turned on and off also.  It’s enough for me at the moment and works well on a smaller layout like mine.

I would be happy to hear from and invite others who are more knowledgeable then I on this topic to respond. I am sure I am missing something. And again, I am not promoting the LionChief app over the Legacy system, I am just saying that it works out of the box and might be enough for many people.

Thanks for the responses....I think my try with the app before putting the investment in the command base.   Although I have seem some used ones price reasonable out there.

  My TMCC locomotives are perfectly happy being controlled by the DCS remote.  I can’t think of any engine operating functions that using the DCS handheld won’t do, since an AUX soft key populates on the LCD screen while operating TMCC equipment.  

Not sure about Legacy, but my TMCC engines don’t actually “start up” with sounds etc. when power is applied… they only light up and await commands, just like they would when operating via a base-1 only.                                                                 I think I paid under $40 for a new (old stock) in the box Cab1/Base1/Powermaster

Tom

Quilling whistle features of Lionel Legacy engines will not be able to be use when running the engines with DCS app.

@Hump Yard Mike posted:

Yes, you will get that and smoke control through the DCS remote if the lionel command base is linked to the TIU with the serial cable.  This is how and run my trains and really like that all my engines are listed in the same remote.   For my first 10 years of running Lionel TMCC engines with the DCS remote, I didn’t  own a Lionel remote at all.  The only reason I finally purchased the Lionel remote was for needing access to some feature set settings required when upgrading a board on a Lionel engine.

MTH 50-1018 DCS TIU/TMCC 6' Connector Cable

LIONEL 6-12911 TRAINMASTER COMMAND CoNTROL BASE

Just want to double check are these the two items I need?

You actually want MTH 50-1032 TIU/TMCC-Legacy 6' Connector Cable.  This one supports TMCC or Legacy and replaces the obsolete MTH 50-1018 cable.

thanks.

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

You actually want MTH 50-1032 TIU/TMCC-Legacy 6' Connector Cable.  This one supports TMCC or Legacy and replaces the obsolete MTH 50-1018 cable.

@gunrunnerjohn What’s the difference in the cables?

@Turbinej posted:

@gunrunnerjohn What’s the difference in the cables?

The TMCC one doesn't work with the Legacy base.  As to the exact difference, obviously something in the internal wiring, but I don't have the details.