Will a DCS system control the features of Atlas,MTH&Lionel diesels?
The Atlas models I'm looking at controlling have the TMCC system features.
Thanks for all replys.
Al
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To use the DCS system to control TMCC engines you need a TMCC or Legacy base to attache to it via a serial cable. It will not control TMCC engines by itself.
Dan
So in essence,Dan,I need 2 different control systems.(?)
Basically, yes you need a separate system. You can use the DCS remote if you have a Lionel base. The Lionel system is easy to hook up, one wire to the outside rail. I have both systems, my layout is big enough, 3 1/2 loops over 100' each.
Dan
Originally Posted by loco-dan:
Basically, yes you need a separate system. You can use the DCS remote if you have a Lionel base. The Lionel system is easy to hook up, one wire to the outside rail. I have both systems, my layout is big enough, 3 1/2 loops over 100' each.
Dan
Now I'll ask this question in reverse. Will the TMCC System control MTH diesel functions? I appologize if I'm asking these questions in the wrong area,but I get all kinds of answers from people selling locomotives on ebay,but either they're trying to make a quick sale,or don't know what they're talking about as 1 fella told me the DCS system was the best&would work every type of diesel. Now recently I've gotten a few other comments from ebayers who start to make me wonder. That's why I brought this question here. I'm beginning to think I still belong in HO,as I seem to be dangerous to myself as little as I know about the O Scale market.
Thank you.
Alan
"Will the TMCC System control MTH diesel functions?"
No, just in conventional if you add the right pieces to it.
Originally Posted by loco-dan:
Basically, yes you need a separate system. You can use the DCS remote if you have a Lionel base. The Lionel system is easy to hook up, one wire to the outside rail. I have both systems, my layout is big enough, 3 1/2 loops over 100' each.
Dan
Am curious Dan,how big a layout area do you have? I'll be working with abouta17'x40'+ area,dodging a furnace in the middle,a staircase&a few appliances.
Alan, My layout is in a 22 x 24 area, with an around the wall (mostly) double dog bone and two levels. Also a mountain with a logging switch back. See the April 2014 D3R meet.
Dcs needs a little work or the latest rev L TIU. Legacy/TMCC works great.
Dan
Originally Posted by loco-dan:
Basically, yes you need a separate system. You can use the DCS remote if you have a Lionel base. The Lionel system is easy to hook up, one wire to the outside rail. I have both systems, my layout is big enough, 3 1/2 loops over 100' each.
Dan
Dan,
Excuse my ignorance but how is the Legacy engine added to the DCS remote? Does the remote recognize the Legacy engine? I have the Cab 1L remote and base system.
Thanks, Scott
Scott,
You might try reading your copy of my book...
Scott, DCS does not recognize a TMCC/Legacy engine on it's own. You have to manually enter it by it's TMCC engine #. The Legacy 1L base does have the serial port to connect to the TIU so that you could use the DCS remote. I believe you need the Lionel Remote to program the TMCC engine number, DCS can't do it.
Barry's book has a lot of info, but you almost have to know what you are looking for to find it.
Dan
DCS can't do the Legacy quilling whistle.
Originally Posted by loco-dan:
Scott, DCS does not recognize a TMCC/Legacy engine on it's own. You have to manually enter it by it's TMCC engine #. The Legacy 1L base does have the serial port to connect to the TIU so that you could use the DCS remote. I believe you need the Lionel Remote to program the TMCC engine number, DCS can't do it.
Barry's book has a lot of info, but you almost have to know what you are looking for to find it.
Dan
DCS can't do the Legacy quilling whistle.
You can actually program the TMCC address using the DCS remote by editing it since the default TMCC address is 1. Other than that, programming TMCC features can be sketchy, though you can MU TMCC locomotives (in deference to Rich, I won't use the "L" word.)
Matt, what I was trying to say is: To change the engine number in the engine from the default of 1 to something else you need the Lionel remote with the SET button.
Dan
I'm confused as to which system to go with? I think I've got 2 things straight:TMCC won't work MTH engines on it's own&DCS won't work the Atlas GP15's equipped with TMCC functions,by itself,the 2 systems have to be connected then the DCS remote will work the TMCC equipped loco's.(?)
Did I do good fellas? (Ha Ha!!)
Being all new to O scale,I'm frightened of the unknown,wondering if I got what it takes to "make the grade," so-to-speak,into O Scale? I've got 30+ years of mostly untouched HO equipment that I don't know how to go about selling. I put an ad on the HO forum with no response yet. I buy a piece of O equipment now&then.
So how much would it cost me to get the TMCC&MTH units &get them properly set up?
Thanks,
Al
Did I do good fellas? (Ha Ha!!)
Being all new to O scale,I'm frightened of the unknown,wondering if I got what it takes to "make the grade," so-to-speak,into O Scale? I've got 30+ years of mostly untouched HO equipment that I don't know how to go about selling. I put an ad on the HO forum with no response yet. I buy a piece of O equipment now&then.
So how much would it cost me to get the TMCC&MTH units &get them properly set up?
Thanks,
Al
Originally Posted by loco-dan:
Matt, what I was trying to say is: To change the engine number in the engine from the default of 1 to something else you need the Lionel remote with the SET button.
Dan
That's actually not true. Although the DCS remote doesn't have a set button, the one operation that requires you to press set is automated, so when you follow the instructions for setting up the locomotive for TMCC, and have the RUN/PGM switch in the PGM position, it will change the TMCC # for the engine.
There are other operations, like setting a stall speed, where the lack of the SET button is a problem.
Wasn't sure, I use the DCS remote for DCS and the TMCC/Legacy remotes for TMCC/Legacy. It's easier that way, since you need the base anyway.
Dan
Originally Posted by loco-dan:
Wasn't sure, I use the DCS remote for DCS and the TMCC/Legacy remotes for TMCC/Legacy. It's easier that way, since you need the base anyway.
Dan
Me too, but just wanted to point out that's one operation you can do from the DCS remote.
Alan, I have been actively buying for about 22 years, I didn't arrive here all at once. I suggest you pick and area of the country and an era to model. There is just too much out there. I picked Steam in the midwest, I own very few diesels. I also think SMALL steam looks good on my layout, I don't have long straits even thou my longest loops are 140 feet. Many also think the same when they see them. Bigger isn't always better. ie don't put a king size bed is a small bedroom, the room will look smaller than it is.
A full legacy 990 set is ~$300 mail order or the Legacy 1L is ~$200.
An MTH TIU with remote is also ~$300.
You also need a power source. I use Lionel 6-22983 180 Watt Powerhouse Bricks ~$75. or you could also use MTH Z-1000 (100w) transformer ~$100. I use one brick for each loop. I know someone who has a 400++' loop and uses 4 power supplies in blocks. Command uses constant 18V AC, you don't need a ZW or Z4000.
You could also run the Atlas in conventional with the variable channels of the TIU till you could afford to get Legacy. A Legacy 1L is all you need to run TMCC engines but in the long run you may want Legacy engines which run best/fully with the full Legacy 990 system.
Hope this makes sense.
Dan
Originally Posted by loco-dan:
...
A full legacy 990 set is ~$300 mail order or the Legacy 1L is ~$200.
An MTH TIU with remote is also ~$300.
Of course, right now they are on backorder almost everywhere, so no one has either system available unless you go to someone who has one listed at way over list price.
At least, that's been my experience,
Ed
... waiting for those very slow boats from China!
Barry, not a week goes by that I do not have your book open. A very large amount of questions asked on the forum have the answers in the book. The only thing missing in the book is a list of winning lottery numbers.
Marty,
Maybe in the 3rd edition...
Thank you Dan for all your input&to everyone for their help.
You been modeling for 22 years in O. That's where I think I may be in serious trouble&this isn't the 1st time I've thought about this. I had my start in HO about 1969. I was just a kid&hornhook couplers were the norm. Gradually I learned more about the hobby but didn't really start getting a good start until the 70s. I gathered more info over the years&here I am today. All I need is more plywood,roadbed&ballast&a few buildings&I have basically all I need to complete a layout I always dreamed of but never had the room for until now.
I'd never have left O if the track&highly detailed cars available now would've been available back when I 1st got into Lionel trains as a boy.
Now I'm 56,&have to sell my entire HO collection to get the funds for an O scale layout. Time is what's my greatest fear-I don't have 20 years or the resources I had starting into HO,to develop my O scale layout. I'm not asking anyone to make the decision for me,I've went back&forth from HO to O&vise versa many times over the last few months. I was expecting everything I had in HO, to be available in O scale,plus refinements I didn't have in HO to be accessible in O because of the size. Im sad to see I was very wrong on that point. If I can liquidate my HO,I'm still coming up to O. It seems like there shouldn't be so much devision between MTH,Lionel&Atlas. I realize it's sort of like DCC vs DC is in HO. What I'm clumsily trying to say,it seems like the companies making TMCC&DCS,would try to make their respective systems more compatible to save the modeler money&grief. That's what I've got to learn-this is O Scale,not HO anymore.
Thank you for summerizing what I need to operate in O.
1 thing. Do you still need block wiring in O? You mentioned power bricks?
Thank you.
Al
You been modeling for 22 years in O. That's where I think I may be in serious trouble&this isn't the 1st time I've thought about this. I had my start in HO about 1969. I was just a kid&hornhook couplers were the norm. Gradually I learned more about the hobby but didn't really start getting a good start until the 70s. I gathered more info over the years&here I am today. All I need is more plywood,roadbed&ballast&a few buildings&I have basically all I need to complete a layout I always dreamed of but never had the room for until now.
I'd never have left O if the track&highly detailed cars available now would've been available back when I 1st got into Lionel trains as a boy.
Now I'm 56,&have to sell my entire HO collection to get the funds for an O scale layout. Time is what's my greatest fear-I don't have 20 years or the resources I had starting into HO,to develop my O scale layout. I'm not asking anyone to make the decision for me,I've went back&forth from HO to O&vise versa many times over the last few months. I was expecting everything I had in HO, to be available in O scale,plus refinements I didn't have in HO to be accessible in O because of the size. Im sad to see I was very wrong on that point. If I can liquidate my HO,I'm still coming up to O. It seems like there shouldn't be so much devision between MTH,Lionel&Atlas. I realize it's sort of like DCC vs DC is in HO. What I'm clumsily trying to say,it seems like the companies making TMCC&DCS,would try to make their respective systems more compatible to save the modeler money&grief. That's what I've got to learn-this is O Scale,not HO anymore.
Thank you for summerizing what I need to operate in O.
1 thing. Do you still need block wiring in O? You mentioned power bricks?
Thank you.
Al
Alan, since you are just starting, as I said, you need to set goals for your layout. This will limit what you will buy and keep the cost under control. Most of us can not buy everything we like. I started when I was 40 and now have more than I need. Also, depending on space you need to decide weather you want realistic modeling or more toy like. If you look around at the different forums here you see some very skilled modelers of scenery while other have minimal scenery. I built a new house 7 years ago and have been finishing the landscaping and basement as well as building a layout.
The Detroit 3 Railers are a round robin type club where we visit a different members home 10 months of the year. We have about 22 members. It's a great way to make friends and enjoy the hobby.
Bricks are just fixed voltage transformers. The speed control is built into the engine similar to DCC in HO.
HO modelers tend to run their trains to show off their scenery wile O scalers tend to build scenery to show off the trains. Also, as you get older O scale is easier to see.
Good luck on your adventure.
Dan
Dan,
I forgot to mention I'm concentrating my efforts on modeling CSX/Chessie in the Midwest. Grain trains,will be the norm. I'm finding little in CSX rolling stock,but a decent amount of Chessie&a lot in B&O/C&O. I might do what I've read some modelers do&change eras from time to time. I thought I might model the late 70s where B&O/C&O was still seen,but Chessie was 70% seen. Next time I could model late Chessie,with the heaviest emphasis on CSX. I thought this was totally forbidden in HO,but it makes sense now. Something to do with age,you think?
Thanks for your continuing help&advice.
Alan
I forgot to mention I'm concentrating my efforts on modeling CSX/Chessie in the Midwest. Grain trains,will be the norm. I'm finding little in CSX rolling stock,but a decent amount of Chessie&a lot in B&O/C&O. I might do what I've read some modelers do&change eras from time to time. I thought I might model the late 70s where B&O/C&O was still seen,but Chessie was 70% seen. Next time I could model late Chessie,with the heaviest emphasis on CSX. I thought this was totally forbidden in HO,but it makes sense now. Something to do with age,you think?
Thanks for your continuing help&advice.
Alan
