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I have a basic TMCC conversion question...

I am thinking of converting a few of my older engines, PS-1 and PS-2 can-motored and one Lionel pulmor.  If converted will they still be able to run in conventional? 

The larger part of my layout is tmcc only and I have no TPC's to run conventional engines on that level of the layout. However I might want to run these few converted engines on both levels.  When converting is there a way to "switch off" the TMCC signal so the engine will run just from the variable track current (conventional) or will the presence TMCC signal on the lower level always take  precedence? Is there a switch that can be installed  to switch from Conventional to TMCC?

 

Any advice very much appreciated. 

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Factory Equipped TMCC locomotives will also run on Conventional Transformer control, there is no need to turn on/off any switches, the locomotive will sense the presence or lack of the TMCC signal, and respond appropriately.

 

 I have never converted a locomotive to TMCC, but it is a common conversion, and I would expect that a converted locomotive should perform the same as a factory equipped TMCC locomotive. I would not expect you to have any trouble operating a "Converted" locomotive on a conventionally controlled section of layout.

 

BTW, there is no reason that I know of to not connect the TMCC base to a conventionally operated portion of your layout, it is just one wire to a common rail, and will not in any way effect the operation of your non-TMCC locomotives, it will just increase the areas of the layout that your TMCC system will work.

 

Doug

There is no way to "switch off" the TMCC signal reliably to one section.  Yes, you can make sure the outside tracks are not common, but I've see TMCC be recognized from a few feet away on a totally independent track.

 

One way is to add a switch is to the locomotive, short the antenna to the frame of the locomotive, that will force it to come up in conventional all the time.

 

Since on a conventional section you'd be running only one locomotive, why is it an issue to simply let it continue onto the "conventional" section in TMCC mode?

 

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