G scale lionel TMCC outdoors

there are a few people here who run TMCC outside.

The big tip I believe to be true, is to keep the track from grounding on wet ballast right on the ground.

Are you building outside on a shelf type layout? or right on the ground?

What part of this country are you in?

I have several Lionel GP 9's and a GP20.  I upgraded the GP20 to command using the Lionel Upgrade Kit item number 6-22964.  This was done about 20 years ago so I am not sure this kit is available.  I found that I could not use a standard DC power supply because as I understand it, TMCC requires the appearance of AC current to function properly.  I used a Lionel 135 watt brick running the power through a full wave bridge rectifier then to the track.  Polarity did not seem to matter.

I have not had any problems running TMCC outdoors.  My track is directly on the ground using a small rock to ballast.

I really like the Lionel geeps but with four motors, just be aware you need a lot of power to get them moving.

Good luck with our new adventure,

Don

Thank you both. Yeah read about grounding but need to read more about what that really means and what I need to look out for. Being DGJONES has had no issues is a little reassuring.

I am in austin metro tx area and i am building 60ft elevated tracks (2 mainlines) on pallet platforms , trestle and pennybacker Bridge so mix of elevated. Track will be sitting on granite rock ballast which sits on top of decomposed granite sub ballast where possible. Powered by 10 amp 24v meanwell power supply with g scale graphic dc 10 amp controller per line. This is used for my lionel thomas trains and other g scale locos

DGJONES.  I can buy kit parts seperate thankfully at decent price as it was just board and antenna. Antenna will not be exact one but it's lionel 2 prong which is close as i can get.  I'm Looking to get TMCC base/cab1 kit on ebay. I know if i get TMCC base and cab1 and command control upgrade parts in theory should be good to go.  The power supply is my concern. Looks like it may not like my dc setup. Figured I would have to use pure DC not PWM but sounds like you are saying it likes AC power and not DC at all.

The G&O garden railroad started running TMCC outdoors but switched to Legacy several years ago.  We haven't had any problems with either TMCC or Legacy even when we run engines in a light rain.  Yes, we do run Lionel O gauge outdoors in the rain during train shows.  We have a standard indoor Legacy hookup.  I recommend that you go with Legacy instead of TMCC because TMCC is no longer made by Lionel.  

Here is a link to the G&O Story for more information:

https://ogrforum.com/.../the-gandamp-o-story

NH Joe

It has been several years and I don’t remember much but there was a least one garden layout we visited during a Columbus Garden Railway Society  tour that was fully TMCC.  There was someone there that indicated they installed the TMCC into the LGB engines. Might be worth contacting the club to see if they could provide any relevant information.

@Aztech78 posted:

  The power supply is my concern. Looks like it may not like my dc setup. Figured I would have to use pure DC not PWM but sounds like you are saying it likes AC power and not DC at all.

I am sorry if my post added confusion!

Once I upgraded the engine, it would not operate using my DC power supplies.  I contacted Lionel and they explained that their system needed to "sense" the 60 HZ frequency to function correctly.  Most DC supplies give a very "clean" DC output.  By using a standard AC transformer and a full wave bridge rectifier, you get a DC output that is not smooth.  Looking at the output on an oscilloscope, the output would look something like mmmm where output has peaks and valleys.  That is the way it was explained to me and it has worked for 20 years.

So, the upgraded engine does run on DC but not pure DC.

If my explanation is incorrect or misleading, I apologize in advance and hopefully a more technical explanation can be provided by those more knowledgeable than I.

Happy railroading,

Don

Aztec78

My outdoor layout for many years ran on TMCC/Legacy with no major problems. The track needed to be cleaned before each session, but would get hours enjoyment. I have sense converted a few locos to run dead rail, which is working out well. My track is on a ladder line system I built from PVC door trim.

TMCC/Legacy communication signals require the 60Hz that AC power provides. A pure DC setup will not properly communicate TMCC/Legacy signals. Messing with a DC signal may result in mixed results. You can (and should for TMCC/Legacy) use AC on outdoor track. Just be aware that you may need to convert it to DC internally to the locomotive before the motor unless the locomotive is equipped with an AC or universal motor (most TMCC/Legacy motor drivers already do this for you).