Engine Recommend - Smoking BNSF for TMCC?

Well, neither of these will run like a Legacy locomotive.  Neither of them have cruise, and the 6-18250 is a "command upgradeable" unit, unless it's already been upgraded, it's a conventional engine.

Why not look for something like the Legacy 6-28364 BNSF DASH-9?  Why are you looking for such a downgrade?

It's my understanding that I can't get all the Legacy functions to work with an older TMCC controller.  And my budget is around $300-$350.  But I do see that engine you recommended functions in both Legacy, TMCC and conventional.  Humm....

For a diesel, you'll get anything that matters with your TMCC system.  It'll also have MUCH better sound and variable volume smoke control, etc.  You won't have the quilling whistle, but that's pretty minor.

yes, but cost is an issue. This gets set up once a year for about a month and then gets taken down and back to storage.  I'm seeing the Legacy engines between $400-$600.  Ouch.

You don't have to buy brand new, any TMCC locomotive you buy certainly isn't going to be new.

jj,

I have a BNSF Dash9 (6-18253  Cat. '99 V3), still running fine.  Bought it back then.  TMCC, and all functions working great.   I also have Legacy locomotives, but this Dash9 does most of what I want.

George

Check the new LIONEL 2022  catalogs.

There is a new LionChief  BNSF DASH 8.

This is what you should get.  It does not have smoke but is affordable.

http://www.lionel.com/products...chief-dash-8-2234180

Andrew

I have the 6-18250 with TMCC installed.  It is running well.   The main problem I had is that this is a very tight fit cover.    Closer to scale often means tight fits.  When I got it the lights wouldn't work.  There were very long poorly supported posts holding the light connector bracket for the body.  When the body is installed it makes contact with the matching connector on the frame.  The posts had broken off and no more light connection.  I had to find some long small screws to use and I glued the posts back on and used the long screws to hold the light connector and to act as "pins" in the plastic posts.  I took it apart again recently to install a battery replacement.  It took an hour of careful checking and taping of wires so I could get it back together without pinching wires or breaking more posts. 

That new LionChief  BNSF DASH 8 would be an easy solution.  But it isn't expected to ship until after Xmas.  And this is a big Santa addition.

I can't really find anything on the used market aside from the TMCC units on Ebay.  That has me steering in the direction of the 6-18253 or 6-18250.   I assume if the box says Command Equipped, it is ready for the TMCC system?   

You can run MTH ProtoSounds 2.0 and 3.0 locomotives in Conventional with the TMCC CAB-1 controller and TrainMaster Command Base.

You might need to find a clearance price MTH BNSF diesel locomotive.

Andrew

@falconservice posted:

You can run MTH ProtoSounds 2.0 and 3.0 locomotives in Conventional with the TMCC CAB-1 controller and TrainMaster Command Base.

Yes, but will none of the fun Protosound stuff will work unless I have their digital command system...? 

The CAB-1 controller can be used to activate most of the standard operations of the Proto.Sounds locomotives.

Andrew

Josh,

      Forget EBay start watching the “For Sale/Trade forum. TMCC Diesel engines come up all the time especially TMCC. Just make sure they have Cruuse Control. BNSF is a popular road name so your hunt should be short. Another good source although I have never used it is the Facebook Legacy For Sales page. I would say a TMCC diesel can be had for $200 to $250. If priced higher make a offer.

     I have some TMCC engines that have been running great for quite some time.

JohnB

PS: You can also post on the “Wanted to Buy” forum too.

@falconservice posted:

The CAB-1 controller can be used to activate most of the standard operations of the Proto.Sounds locomotives.

Andrew

Andrew,

Your statement seriously oversimplifies things.  It's not quite that simple.

Yes all three MTH Protosound, Protosound 2, and Protosound 3 locomotives can be run in conventional mode by using a classic TMCC Cab-1 and its Base-1 but you will also need a newer TPC, or Legacy PowerMaster, to provide the variable voltage required to the track.  With this you would still only get simple functions like speed, direction, whistle and bell.  Some multi-push horn and bell button sequences will also work, like PFA's.

But you don't get much compared to the rich feature set found in PS-2 or PS-3.

And yes you can theoretically activate any function in a traditional Protosound (PS-1) locomotive, except for the very oldest models, which are finicky.

But all of this requires a TPC or Legacy PowerMaster with your Classic TMCC Command Set, and it won't give you much for the investment.

Mike

@falconservice posted:

Check the new LIONEL 2022  catalogs.

There is a new LionChief  BNSF DASH 8.

This is what you should get.  It does not have smoke but is affordable.

http://www.lionel.com/products...chief-dash-8-2234180

No smoke, no cruise control either.  It will also have very basic lighting.  Illuminated cab, but no cab figures, just empty space.  You really do get what you pay for...

Then someone can take a used MTH ProtoSounds BNSF diesel and convert it to TMCC/RailSounds for you.

Andrew

The original gray CAB-1 can control the original gray PowerMaster, can be set in conventional mode, can control MTH PS1, PS2, PS3 in conventional mode. Would not recommend you purchase this setup going forward. In 1999, it was a good idea. The original gray PowerMaster listens to CAB1 26MHz only, the newer blue PowerMaster listens to 455 kHz TMCC track signal from any of the command bases.

Should point out I never did that. I have

- controlled some Lionel postwar engine with original gray PM

- controlled some MTH PS2 CTA set with IC Controls TPC 3000, in conv mode. Worked pretty good. (TPC units listen to serial data, 9600 Baud wired)

- controlled MTC IC E9 PS2 set with blue PowerMaster in conv mode, with blue CAB-1L.

I do not recall ever controlling an MTH PS2 or PS3 engine with the gray one. (Its actually more black).

Highly personal opinion - if you are tight for $, don't buy any control system, just run conventional at the current time.