How long has your command control equipment been working for you?

My first generation DCS went back to MTH when they accepted repairs at York shortly after I bought it.  Don't know the date but I was an early adopter so soon after DCS was released.  It lost a channel.  It's been fine ever since.

TMCC has always been fine.  Got it when Gary Moreau was on the TrainNet forum offering them at $99 for a system.

Legacy, which I also early adopted, went back to get the initial upgrade and has been fine ever since other than the charging circuit which I turned off and don’t us. I've been fortunate otherwise.

Mine's worked for 69+ years with no problem. Of course, my system is two hands and a transformer.

I'm sure there's going to be a lot of responders with unhappy experiences. I'll be watching this to see if the moderators delete it.

I use TMCC for the prototypical operating sessions I host on my layout.  After some sporadic sessions in 2001 and early 2002, regular monthly sessions started in September, 2002.  During a session, we have 8 or 9 Cab-1's in simultaneous use for 3 to 4 hours.  I've hosted well over 200 sessions using the original Command Base.  Before I knew how to fix the buttons on Cab-1's, I did swap a few of those out when the buttons became non-responsive.  Now that I can fix the buttons and can fix the battery compartment if a tab breaks off, the Cab-1's can be kept in service indefinitely.

To be safe, I have extra Command Bases and extra Cab-1's in stock if needed.  DCS was never a consideration for me (wanted to standardize on a single system) nor was Legacy (handheld too complicated for operators from other scales and insufficient handheld to base communication range in my basement).  Regular old TMCC does what I need it to do and does it every time I want to use it.

@artyoung posted:

Mine's worked for 69+ years with no problem. Of course, my system is two hands and a transformer.

We are now four postings in to what will likely be a very interesting thread and we're already off the track.

@turkey_hollow_rr, I appreciate your effort but I'm, worried that, because of the way we fellow forumites use the forum to report problems with anything, no matter what it is, you won't get what you're looking for.

Art's comments are an example of being complete irrelevant. There will be more of these and many, many more that are on point but negative.  Most will probably be quite accurate when it comes to failures, both with respect to failure modes and rates, but not when it comes to successes.

Other than true enthusiasts, folks who have few, or no, problems don't join the forum, hence don't post here, because they have no need for help with issues they don't have.  In light of this I'm predicting that the experience here will be largely negative, and not matching true reality.

Good luck with it though.  I support any effort that will get to the bottom of the question.

BTW -- I've had one Cab-1 Command Set for nearly 25 years, one 990 Command Set for nearly 15 years, and one DCS TIU/Remote set for 5 years.  No problems to report with any of them over that time.

Mike

Got a DCS set in 2011.  “Repaired” the thumbwheel with crazy glue a few times over the years.  Got a spare remote in 2018.  This one has not needed repairs as my thumb has learned its lesson.  Got a spare TIU in 2019.  Original TIU took a trip to my friendly neighborhood MTH ASC Certified Tech for minor repairs in 2020.  Got a second spare remote in 2020, but have not used it yet.  I would say that the DCS components are reliable unless you do something to break them.

MTH DCS installed in 2002. Other than one remote thumbwheel replacement, still working fine.   Joe

I have had DCS from the start, about 20 years. add a magic light bulb and all is good. One remote broke a wire to the thumbwheel. TMCC added in the same timeframe. No issues. Only one Legacy engine that I run with TMCC. Have had a few Proto 2 engines die but that seems par for the course

Since 2010....I have been using DCS. I'm on my second Rev L TIU however the first one I bought used so I don't count that. I am using three channels of the newer TIU (6 years old). My Variable 2 doesn't emit DCS signals for some reason so I use it only for my older conventional engines. I have linked up the Legacy Command Base since last summer when I bought my first Lionel Engine, and I run everything off a cheapo Amazon Fire tablet. AIU handles accessories.

I've replaced some the DCS signal driver chips in two of my TIU's due to signal DCS signal degradation.  I understand the workbench TIU, it gets a lot of abuse, but the layout one having issues was a bit more of a surprise.  My DCS Remotes have been fine, my thumb got the word before I broke the thumbwheel cradle.  I'm still using the same Legacy command base as I bought a dozen years ago, it still works like it always did.  I did send the base and charging station back for the charging upgrade, but they've been fine other than that.

FWIW, I do see a fair amount of TIU's in for repair, only a handful of DCS remotes have come in for repairs, mostly for thumbwheel problems.  Most of the TIU repairs are for either the DCS driver chips, the variable channel FET's, or shorted TVS protection diodes.  Those seem to be the weak spots in the TIU.

TMCC running fine since 1997 and probably would still be except upgraded to Legacy

DCS and Legacy both okay for 4 years until this week.  Lionel issued me an RA for my Legacy remote.  CTC/Power button won’t work.

@Mellow Hudson Mike posted:

We are now four postings in to what will likely be a very interesting thread and we're already off the track.

@turkey_hollow_rr, I appreciate your effort but I'm, worried that, because of the way we fellow forumites use the forum to report problems with anything, no matter what it is, you won't get what you're looking for.

Art's comments are an example of being complete irrelevant. There will be more of these and many, many more that are on point but negative.  Most will probably be quite accurate when it comes to failures, both with respect to failure modes and rates, but not when it comes to successes.

Other than true enthusiasts, folks who have few, or no, problems don't join the forum, hence don't post here, because they have no need for help with issues they don't have.  In light of this I'm predicting that the experience here will be largely negative, and not matching true reality.

Good luck with it though.  I support any effort that will get to the bottom of the question.

BTW -- I've had one Cab-1 Command Set for nearly 25 years, one 990 Command Set for nearly 15 years, and one DCS TIU/Remote set for 5 years.  No problems to report with any of them over that time.

Mike

Sorry, Mike, and I don't mean any disrespect but I don't think you understand what I'm about with this thread.

It's not a poll or survey, and I'm not looking for solutions to anything. I'm simply suggesting there are a lot more happy people out there running command control than we see posting about troubles.

This is about giving people who have been running command control for many years without major issues a chance to express how long they have enjoyed command control.

I do agree, though, conventional running shouldn't be included here.

TMCC has worked fine for about 25 years

Over 20 years....

One of my CAB-1s and the base running my layout are from 1997. The CAB-1 may have come out of one of the GP7 sets or the Warhorse J set. The base I got at a shop in Ambridge PA (long gone).

TMCC and DCS have worked fine for me with no problems for 15 years.

Ron

I bought my TMCC outfit in the first year of its release and had zero problems with the equipment or engine electronics. Fast forward to 2006 or 7 when the Legacy system was released and I received one of the first #990 sets. The only issue I've had was the charging system going south in the command base; I just removed the rechargeable batteries (and turned the charger off?). I've had no other issues with my original Legacy system for 16 years. I'm only running version 1.3 software and haven't apparently needed anything newer to date for my engine roster.

I've had DCS (TIU, 2 AIUs, 3 remotes) ever since the REV 'I' version of the TIU was released, so what is that, 15 years or so.  But I qualify things by saying that I only have a Christmas time layout that's only up for 2 months, but on the flip side a lot of kids have used it with no issues caused by them.

I have had one AIU quit on me and I had to have a remote's thumbwheel fixed but other that those 2 it's performed perfectly for me over that long stretch of time

- walt

I am all DCS. No problems in the 9 years I have been in the hobby. My only problems have been with moving parts.

Cab/Base 1L purchased new maybe 12 years ago, base was dead out of the box but repaired under warranty. No troubles of any sort since, including rolling stock, locomotives and various ERR upgrades to locos and Fastrack switches. No troubles with Lionchief 2 either.

Layout is powered by PH180s and Legacy Powermasters strictly per instructions. No auxiliary breakers, no TVSS units installed. Accessory power provided by a Z-1000. No PW transformers anywhere.

TMCC handheld and command base used sparingly for 25 or so years without any need for repairs.  LionChief Universal Remote similarly for about 4-5 years as I cannot recall exactly when issued.  Was gifted an early TIU/DCS handheld in about 2002,  but passed it on to a friend as I wasn't planning to buy PS2 locos at that point.  I haven't heard of any problems with that set, so no news is good news .

@Landsteiner posted:

TMCC handheld and command base used sparingly for 25 or so years without any need for repairs.  LionChief Universal Remote similarly for about 4-5 years as I cannot recall exactly when issued.  Was gifted an early TIU/DCS handheld in about 2002,  but passed it on to a friend as I wasn't planning to buy PS2 locos at that point.  I haven't heard of any problems with that set, so no news is good news .

The same with me, I have been using the same command base and CAB-1 since the late 20th Century. 

1996 I got my first TMCC set. That old original Command Base and Cab 1 still work and runs a small layout at my dad's house now.  Just a periodic cleaning of the CAB 1has kept it working.

I still run my first TMCC loco from back then on my current layout. The Santa FE 2343 F3 A-B.  Runs like a champ. I have twice had to use a small, soft eraser on some of the traces inside the B-Unit sound board. I consider re-seating plugs and cleaning boards part of routine, albeit infrequent, maintenance.  There's also the old 1960's 2383 SF F3 that my dad got for our Christmas Layout.  It had suffered the battery leak issue.  I took it apart, and cleaned and repainted the frame, and reassembled it.  I added TMCC to it with the old Digital Dynamics setup.  I hid the program switch in the battery compartment.  I would use it in an A-B-A with the modern TMCC, and yes, that old DD board in the 2383 still works

I also have a couple TMCC GP-9 from back then.  Still see plenty of run time.

With the early TMCC, I had one out of box failure.  The C&NW Baby Hudson.  Dealer replaced it immediately and the replacement is fine.

My other TMCC original is my prized Century Club 773 Hudson. It, too, still runs regularly on my layout.

I love all those old growlers.

I entered into the DCS world around 2007 or 2008, and I incorporated it into the early version compatibility with my TMCC system.

I have also since moved on to Legacy, and added a WIU to my DCS setup as well.  Stuff works

Since this is about how long the old stuff has been working I'll keep to the examples above.

Here's some pictures of my two favorites; the aforementioned F3, and Hudson

Side by side, and one of the TMCC F3 pulling my dad's original 2500 series aluminum President cars including the Vista Dome.   These pics are many years old

Over twenty years on the TMCC/cab1,  When did EOB come out from Train America Studios?   2002 comes to mine for my 3rdrail Niagara install.  One of my best running engines.

I have had a TMCC Command Base and 3 Cab1's since the Great Train Store had its going out of business sale ($125 for all 4 items) . I don't remember the year, but Digital Dynamics was my source for LCRU's. One of the tabs on a Cab1 battery compartment broke off. Other than that they continue to give great service. I will not be upgrading to newer equipment.

I’ll start with the command systems, powerhouses, then additional components:

LIonel TMCC base w/ Cab 1(purchased LN/ barely used June 2018/ mfg late 90s early 2000s)- owned 3 years and 8 months, no issues with base or remote

Lionel Legacy Base/Cab2 w/ version 1.5 software: purchased new May 2021, no issues with base or Cab2 before and after software updates

MTH Rev. L TIU & remote w/ version 4.20 software: Purchased new in OCtober 2018. Software never updated. No issues with remote. PROBLEM: About 1.5yrs after purchase in APril 2020- TIU Variable channel #2 not working, shorts out. Cannot use channel. TIU was/still is used in passive mode and I don’t even connect TMCC wire to the ground out on that channel. Other 3 channels work fine

MTH Accessory Components:

MTH AIU: Purchased New November 2019- No issues

Lionel Legacy Components:

LCS WiFi Module-Purchased new June 2021. PROBLEM- barely even worked intermittently at first. Haven’t been able to connect in 8 months since purchase

Three LCS Ser2s between May & September 2021- no issues

LCS Sensor Track- Bought new at October 2021 York, no issues

Lionel TMCC Components:

Lionel BPC- Bought New in August 2021/mfg in 2000s- no issues

Lionel ASC- Purchased used in September 2021, no issues

Lionel TPC 300- Bought used July 2020-no issues

Lionel TPC 400- Bought used August 2020- no issues

Lionel Powermaster(original/ mfg btwn 1994-1997) June 2018 - slightly used- owned 3 years and 8 months, no issues

Lionel Powermaster(original/mfg btwn. 1994-1997) February 2019 - STOPPED working after 1.5 Years. Assume Crystal is off set

Knock On Wood, things have gone swimmingly well! Now I don’t know if it’s correlation or causation(sarcasm), but the more I exposed myself to and learned about the systems and protection- the easier they’ve been to set-up & work! When I re-wired for DCS it took over a week!(soldered realtrax track sections at the Pins and/or soldered wires to decrease the # of track connections). I had 80% of a 17% loop as Realtrax. Just switched to Fastrack and larger curves 5 months ago, took about a day

I think it’s called practice makes perfectaor at least near perfect

Steve

My Cab1 and Base are from around 2000 or so. They had a 20 year hiatus in storage until recently and they work fine with a TMCC engine from the same era, similar hiatus and good as new. For now.

I've been running the Cab1 and base since 1998. It has been trouble-free and 100% reliable since the day I bought it.

Full disclosure...I did the "masking tape piece inside on the red wheel spindle" modification to tone down the free wheeling spin about 5 years ago. All is well here.

John

@MartyE posted:

Legacy, which I also early adopted, went back to get the initial upgrade and has been fine ever since other than the charging circuit which I turned off and don’t us. I've been fortunate otherwise.

My story, too.

Jim

I bought a used Rev L TIU and remote 12 years ago. I tightened output jacks and checked board seating on the TIU and have had no problems. I have replaced the thumbwheel bracket on the remote. I have had no other problems. I think that's not too bad for a $225 investment.

Bought new in 2002 tiu set with remote and bought spare remote same time from Berwyns Toy Train store .

So DCS set up 4x8 layout with no problems using same remote and tiu never upgraded .

From the responses here I would say the fear that everyone's CAB-2 and CAB-1 will spontaneously implode next month because Lionel took them out of the catalog is a bit overblown. Enjoy your remotes and enjoy running your trains.

I have been using Lionel's TMCC Command base and cab-1 remote since 1997.  The only thing I ever had to replace was the power adapter cable which hooks up to my post-war ZW transformer.  Unusually enough over 25 years I've had two of these cables burn out.  Other than that my TMCC equipment has run hot, straight and normal for twenty five years.   Just in case, over the years I have purchased a couple of back up remotes and a command base.  So far I have not needed them.  About ten years ago I purchased Lionel's Legacy system and tested it out and it worked as it should have.  However, I found that TMCC fully met my technological requirements and stayed with it.  My Legacy system was put back in its box and has stayed there.  

DCS with TIU and Wifi unit is a few years old with no issues.

Brad

Legacy 6 years no issues. DCS never worked from day 1.

I had a new TMCC system (~2005) and a Rev I DCS system (~2006) NIB under the layout for several years. Then about Christmastime 2008 I hooked up the TMCC just to see what it could do, not really knowing what to expect. I was hooked within minutes and never looked back. I have been command ever since and now run TMCC with 3 remotes, Cab1L, Legacy, and DCS with 2 remotes, sometimes all together when the grandkids are over. Power is supplied by Z-4000's and one TIU with all 4 ports set to Fixed.

Only problems have been one DCS thumbwheel, one fritzed TIU port, one cab1 battery compartment, and one cab1 base going out of tune. Otherwise most everything still works like new.

On our trainshow layout we run DCS with a Rev L TIU, and TMCC, just to keep it simple.  Again, both are in use simultaneously most of the time. Legacy is reserved for home use.

Rod

Except for a Cruise Commander ($45, new), I do not have DCS. The Commander has been fine, but used only occasionally.

The TMCC system (I do not have Legacy, though I have a few Legacy engines) has been fine since I had it - mid-1990's or so. Same base. I have replaced a CAB-1. I do recall a radio board going out in a USRA 2-6-6-2.

So, essentially, the TMCC has been nearly bullet-proof. This includes numerous ERR upgrades, which have had a couple of equipment hiccups, to be honest. Not many. I keep my entire layout and control systems unplugged from the electric grid unless I am using them; and, if thunder is heard, the plugs come out of the wall immediately. I recommend it.

I hope that my comments have not jinxed my system.

@OKHIKER posted:

My Legacy system was put back in its box and has stayed there.  

You should put that on ebay forthwith!

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

FWIW, I do see a fair amount of TIU's in for repair, only a handful of DCS remotes have come in for repairs, mostly for thumbwheel problems.  Most of the TIU repairs are for either the DCS driver chips, the variable channel FET's, or shorted TVS protection diodes.  Those seem to be the weak spots in the TIU.

I apologize for this maybe being a little off-topic, but John do you have handy the PN's for the DCS driver chips and the FET's for the TIU's? I need to order a few before they go out of production!

Thanks, Rod