How do you control your trains

My name says it all!! But TMCC as well.

Nothing better, Legacy and TMCC. The MTH engines I own (about 8) were all converted to TMCC.

I voted TMCC but I run all my trains in conventional mode only using the Cab-1 remote feature for convenience.

I'm mostly DCS with just a bit of conventional.  It is amazing all the different ways to run trains!   Even converting DCS engines to TMCC/Legacy!  Just shows how everyone has their own preference and individual way to enjoy their trains.  

I run both Lionel legacy and DCS, why not?

So far the poll seems to be confirming my observation that users of this forum lean heavily toward Legacy, and Lionel in general. That is quite a bit different from my club, where the members lean more toward MTH. As far as I know there's only one Legacy owner, and he prefers DCS. My preference is DCS, but I also have TMCC. I'll probably get Legacy eventually to get the most our of my Milwaukee Road Northern, but I plan to stick with controlling my TMCC engines with the TMCC remote because the Legacy remote is so big and heavy and clumsy. Might revisit that in a couple of years when "Legacy Lite" is out of beta since that's the same size remote as TMCC. 

Either hanging chads, or the old vote early vote often. 

DCS & TMCC.

 

My club too runs DCS, but I have introduced Legacy and it works much more reliably.

The other thing I love about Legacy is the TPC400 which allows conventional locos to be controlled by the Legacy hand held controller, something that conventional operators should consider.

Spent years running with DCS and TIU finally died so I run DCS in conventional (they run well that way) and Legacy.  Don't love DCS enough to invest in another TIU so handles it is and I am happy as ever.  Simpler is better in my world anymore and it makes me enjoy more.

Well, if you have DCS, you can run conventional with the DCS hand held as well, you have two variable channels on the TIU.  You don't even need to buy the TPC to do that, it comes in the box.

Pretty much the same here.  The few MTH locos that I have have been converted to TMCC.

DCS, TMCC, and LEGACY at the club; DCS and TMCC at home when testing. DCS, TMCC, and DCC when I get my home layout built.

I totally forgot DCC in the mix, but then this is the O-gauge forum.

TMCC and Legacy but I also run conventionally, but no, wait, yes I run conventional engines but control them with TMCC.  Soooo, I guess I answered correctly.

That's okay, DCC can also control certain O gauge trains (like the MTH Geep I recently got, and others), as well as On30.

OK Allan, we now have DCC.

Voted DCS & Legacy.

Am curious about the fellas who converted MTH engines to TMCC...   am assuming they had conventional and/or PS1 and didn't remove a great PS2 system?????

Good post!  Will be good to see the results.

 

--Greg

With DCS the conventional control function is built into the TIU - you don't have to buy an extra gadget like the TPC 400. If you are having reliability issues with DCS, you probably need to have a look at the wiring. I assume you have Barry Broskowitz' book on DCS, which has a ton of good DCS info. 

Some people convert PS2 engines to TMCC. I've bought boards from them. Some people just flat don't like DCS; others insist on the simplicity of running a single control system. Personally I take them as they come - I've got both systems on my layout and I have never converted one system to the other. However, I do have a couple of Weaver brass steamers with early, buggy versions of TMCC that I will probably upgrade to PS/3 when the kits come out. 

I would have to admit that I use DCS more than anything else, and have had no problems with it.  The majority of my locomotives happen to be MTH simply because they offer the most diverse models in the two road names I am most interested in (Alaska and U.S. Army).  I have 20 MTH Alaska engines and eight MTH U.S. Army engines, although I also have models in either or both road names from Lionel (Legacy/TMCC), Weaver (TMCC), RMT (conventional), and Williams (conventional).

I operate with TMCC and conventional.

We have a variety of engines from different manufacturers and sometimes we prefer to just run straight conventional with no remote.  I suspect that is what allot of us remember growing up with and that wonderful smell of "ozone".  However, when using modern engines we run DCS and some TMCC.  Considering converting the TMCC engines to DCS as it runs more smoothly and consistent (IMO).  However, I do like the round speed control knob on the Cab-1 so, that would be hard to give up.  Not to interested in Legacy at this point.  Also have been converting my PS1 engines over to PS2.  Huge difference in the way they run now.  I highly recommend it if you have an engine that you like but, find the PS1 system to be frustrating.

 

This thread reminds me of:  Ford! vs Chevy! vs Mopar!   : )

I'm a Chevy man.

Ace

 

I think wind-up would be in an uncontrolled catagory 

Well, when I do do it I run Conventional and if I don't feel like plugging in I just use the ol' Sky Hook n push em round.

 

Still trying to work my way up to conductor.  Hey, I've been on here for a few years now and usually on a few times a day and I see guys on here are Engineers and I've never seen them on here before.  How's that?

 

Rick

I voted conventional but noted that the question asked what type of control you "had". I do have TMCC equipment and engines but no longer use the system. Just like those who drifted back in time to tinplate, I drifted back to the system I started with and am happier.

I voted Legacy as that is all I currently have.

I like simple and classic.  Main power for my layout is a restored Lionel ZW 275 watt type transformer.  Works well, but a fast acting circuit breaker is installed on the line so I can handle the more fragile DCS and TMCC locomotives.

I have DCS with the TMCC interface. Running both with one remote was attractive to me. I have since also acquired a CAB1 controller as well.

 

Gilly

John

Very interesting thread. I have often wondered what people use to control there layout. I have Legacy/DCS/conventional handles on the Z4000. I hardly ever turn on Legacy or DCS. I just turn on the Z4000 and grab the handles. I use 180 bricks to control Legacy and DCS. Good Thread 

Actually, while I run only conventional now, I have this recurring fantasy about just talking to them in a normal, calm voice ----- and they follow my instructions . . . 

I use DCS, Legacy, TMCC and conventional.  It depends on what engine I want to run.

TMCC - even though most of my engines are MTH, WBB and Weaver. All have been converted using either original Lionel LCRU's, DD components or ERR stuff. Got rid of most of the E units and all of the PS1 and PS2 stuff. Love the simplicity and reliability of TMCC.

 

jackson, CEO of the Not-So-Great Eastern RR, aka the Never Done Lines, a Division of the Southern Adirondack Railway Cartel.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...&feature=channel

Conventional. MTH Z-4000 with Z-4000 controller.

Z-4000 with DCS and TMCC.

I'm using DCS but also use conventional. Really looking forward to ipad app and if they actually go dual mode with DCC..... Mmmmm a simple decoder in the hogwarts and polar express. Sound in the tender.... Control in the cab... No tether.... The ability to buy and use any loco.... (Don't worry Mike, I still think your locos rule, but for holiday stuff, the Rudolph set is the best Christmas set out, but you don't get the big marketing ones (Peanuts, PE, Hogwarts etc)

 

The nerd in me has to mention that despite the flaw in the polling software that allows multiple votes, there shouldn't be a flaw that allows for >100%. If there were 10 choices and we all voted for all of them, each should have a 10% share.

Conventional via TMCC = 3 power house supplies, 3 power master units, 1 command base, and 1 Cab 1 remote! Dang! I am dead in the water if that Cab 1 decides to check out of the game!