How may I use LCS with DCS

If you want to run your Lionel Command locomotives with the DCS app, you Won't need the LCS WiFI at all. You can use the MTH interface cable (50-1032) to plug your TIU into your BASE and run them with the TMCC commands. If you want to use the Lionel Legacy command set, you'll need to plug the MTH interface cable into a Lionel SER2 (6-81326) and plug a Lionel LCS DB-9 Cable w/ Power Supply (6-81499) into the SER2 and your Legacy base.

Dont have any Legacy base or anything Lionel track/power related, my whole setup was originally based soley on MTH track and power. Was gifted a Lionel 2-8-0 steamer (orange box) and a few other Lionel cars from a coworker who didnt want them and was also gifted a Polar Express steamer w/bluetooth.

Guess what I'm asking is do I need a Legacy base when only using WiFi? Basically powering the track via TIU and using WIU through app and want to do same with Lionel.

If the Lionel steamer has BlueTooth, you can address it directly with the LC application on a smart device.  If you have the MTH TIU, you can run earlier Lionel on the variable channels in conventional mode.

If you want to run the Lionel in TMCC/Legacy mode, you need at least a TMCC command base connected to the TIU.

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

If the Lionel steamer has BlueTooth, you can address it directly with the LC application on a smart device.  If you have the MTH TIU, you can run earlier Lionel on the variable channels in conventional mode.

If you want to run the Lionel in TMCC/Legacy mode, you need at least a TMCC command base connected to the TIU.

Would I be correct that when you use the MTH control for TMCC you loose some commands. I am thinking such as the subway sets ?

I think some part numbers from the Lionel locomotives would help. If the 2-8-0 is not TMCC or Legacy equipped then it is not a command locomotive and it can only be run in conventional mode. You can still use the MTH app to run this conventionally but you will need to utilize a variable channel on the TIU and use the track menu to vary the power and run the Bell & Whistle sounds.

If the 2-8-0 is a Lionel Command equipped engine. The bare minimum you'll need to run it with the DCS app is a BASE (6-12911) and the MTH TMCC Interface cable (50-1032). This will allow the TIU to send commands to the Lionel BASE which in turn will command a Lionel command equipped engine.

As for the Bluetooth Polar Express set, that can only be run with the included remote or the Lionchief app. Simply provide constant power to the track and use the Lioncheif app or remote to control all available functions.

Actually @ThatGuy, this is the reason im asking, when using TIU the trains are basic runners.

@gunrunnerjohn I do have the bluetooth running, but im looking to upgrade so I can have the full potential of engines. I'm going to order a LCS WiFi Module and only looking to see if i'll need anything additional. No Im not looking to get a remote or command base ... however ... if that is what it will take then it would be a much later purchase.

The LCS WiFi module won't do you any good for the engines unless you have a command base.  Don't waste the money, by the time you buy the LCS WiFi and Lionel command base, you can buy the upcoming BASE3 that will do both functions for about the same money.

@rdwiz posted:

Actually @ThatGuy, this is the reason im asking, when using TIU the trains are basic runners.

@gunrunnerjohn I do have the bluetooth running, but im looking to upgrade so I can have the full potential of engines. I'm going to order a LCS WiFi Module and only looking to see if i'll need anything additional. No Im not looking to get a remote or command base ... however ... if that is what it will take then it would be a much later purchase.

The LCS WiFi Module can't run Lionel engines unless you have a TMCC or LEGACY BASE. The LCS WiFi really can't do much by itself in the order of running locomotives, a BASE is required to send the appropriate signal through the track to command the engine.

Much appreciate the advice @gunrunnerjohn