Dumb question

I am a novice when it comes to systems but I have both. If you post your question on the forum for TMCC and legacy you may get an answer quicker..........Paul

Well, I don't think it's a "dumb question" since I'm not really the sharpest knife in the drawer, when it comes to all the "command control" stuff. But, yes I be leave you definitely need an MTH DCS system to appreciate all the features that MTH locomotives will do, under the DCS command mode.

On my layout, I have: 1) MTH DCS system, 2) Lionel TMCC, and 3) Lionel Legacy. When we had a "run beer, drink trains" session, everybody operates with their own hand held, depending on what locomotives they brought with them. Thus, we can operate MTH DCS locomotives, Lionel Legacy locomotives, and/or Sunset/3rd Rail, Atlas, or Weaver locomotives, all at the same time and on the SAME MAINLINE! Can't get any better than THAT.

If you want to run it in full command mode you will need the DCS system.  If you do this, there's a special serial cable you can get that will connect both systems together and you can run both at the same time with a single remote (DCS) or you can run them with both remotes separately.  TMCC cannot control DCS systems in command mode as the DCS command sets are proprietary.

You can, however, run MTH engines including the MP54 in basic conventional mode with your TMCC system provided that you have a Powermaster.  For more advanced conventional control which would include firing the couplers, PFA sounds, etc. then you would need the TPC.

If you're going to upgrade to Legacy as you mentioned, I believe you can still use the TPCs (again assuming you already have one), or you may have to buy the Legacy Power Master, someone else can chime in who knows the latter for sure.

Or, if running conventionally or buying the DCS system is not to your liking, you can always buy the set & convert it to TMCC and sell the ProtoSound 3.0 boards to recoup some of the loss.  Otherwise, your only best bet is to wait & see if Lionel will offer that set themselves in the future.

A Lionel LEGACY PowerMaster will allow the user to operate a ProtoSound 2 or 3 locomotive in conventional mode. You just have to flip the switch from "Command" to "Conventional" on the PowerMaster.

I had a ProtoSound 3 locomotive that I ran in conventional mode with my LEGACY CAB-1L/Base-1L Command Set. I was able to activate the electrocouplers and some of the PFAs with my CAB-1L and PowerMaster in addition to controlling direction, speed, whistle/horn and bell functions.

Try that with more than one train on the same track, especially from 3 or 4 different manufacturers.  Total command control is the ONLY way to go for multiple train operations on the same track.

On my layout all 3 systems are working together and all is good.

I just want to say don't be too fast to write off DCS.

It is a really nice system and the new rev L TIU has improved the signal strength.

Another nice feature of DCS is you can run all your TMCC engines IN COMMAND MODE, as well as your PS-2/PS-3 engines, by simply connecting the TMCC command base (which you already have) to the TIU using an MTH cable to interconnect it .

You will be able to access all standard TMCC features using the DCS handheld.

For my money the DCS system operates TMCC engines smoother than CAB1, but opinions are cheap.

What I am saying here is you can operate all your current engines with just a DCS system cabled to the command base.

Your cab1 will still work just the same, and at the same time as DCS.

Rod