Can anyone recall the volume and issue that Ed wrote up the black TMCC button box. I know I've read the article before, but for the life of me can not find it.
Thanks,
Derek
Original Post
Replies sorted oldest to newest
Sorry, can’t help you with your request but it does bring back memories.
I was part of the group that did the beta testing on the device. Lionel sent each of us one to try out. We were required to sent them back after we went through the testing and filled out the questionnaire.
One of the guys did not send it back and Lionel told him to keep it. I wish I had kept mine.
It was an interesting concept intended for those operators who ran conventional in an effort to introduce them to command control. Unfortunately the cost to produce and the expected retail price made the effort prohibitive.
WaynePA posted:It was an interesting concept intended for those operators who ran conventional in an effort to introduce them to command control. Unfortunately the cost to produce and the expected retail price made the effort prohibitive.
Unfortunately that happens a lot. The return is just not there on some of these things no matter how cool it is.
The Lionel Button Box is in the OGR Oct-Nov 2012 issue on pages 73-75.
A photo of the Button Box is shown below.
Attachments
Images (1)
Its obvious why Lionel didn't put this item into production. If the intent was to introduce conventional operators to Command Control, I doubt if it would have met that purpose. I run what is best described as an conventional artistic layout. It does everything that its been designed to do and its been 100% reliable for 15 years that is has operated. While some high tech electronic enhancements have been added, Command Control won't be added anytime soon. There is just no need for it
The thinking at the time was that conventional operators would embrace a simple device to control a Lionel command engine. The box would be connected to their existing transformer and layout. The other alternative at the time was using a TMCC command base and CAB1L remote which many older operators found somewhat confusing.
I think in retrospect that it would not have gone over very well primarily because of price. The projected street price was around $125 which was too close to the price for a CAB1 system.
I also was one of those that beta-tested the button box. You were able to run a command engine on a loop and have the cab-1 buttons right in front of you instead of walk around control. Since it was hooked up to your transformer, the voltage was kept low if you wanted, hence the smoke units did not produce much smoke. I think if you raised the voltage, the engine went at warp speed.
And I do know the person who was told to keep the button box but have not talked to him in years since he made some false accusations on this forum about the old TMCC demo group that I was a member of.
