IC Controls TPC3000 Versions 1.1, 1.2, and1.3 and Block Control with CAB-1L

You might take those "K's" out of your post. There is no way that you need 270 kilowatts (two hundred seventy thousand watts) to run your trains.

Not sure why you need blocks if you will only run one train on each track at a time. You can isolate the sidings with a simple toggle switch on the center rail for that siding (with the appropriate gap in the center rail at the beginning of the siding).

Not sure what you mean by daisy chaining the TPC units, but you can hook all of them up to the same data/comm line from the command base. That's the way I do it. If that is what you mean by daisy chaining them, then that will work just fine.

The different firmware versions of the TPC units are basically how many features they have for programming/operating MTH proto one and proto two locomotive features (like opening the couplers and setting master volume and such).

TPC controllers are wonderful, IMO. I have built or specified several layouts with them.  The Lionel branded ones (called the TPC 300 and TPC 400) have the latest version of firmware in them, but your older ones will work just fine for your purposes.

The functional equivalent of the latest version of the TPC is the new Lionel Powermaster (not the old/original Powermaster).

@RoyBoy posted:

The functional equivalent of the latest version of the TPC is the new Lionel Powermaster (not the old/original Powermaster).

Roy's right on the money. 

Only one, minor edit.  The newest powermasters are known as Legacy PowerMasters, and come in either 180 or 360 watt versions, equivalent to the old TPC 300 and TPC 400's.

Both of these also have that latest software, which makes programming and running MTH stuff, especially the conventional-only PS-1's, quite easy.

Mike

Thanks guys.

So, I was just a bit off on the power aspect.

To clarify, my layout with the three loops will be capable of running 3 conventional locos independently of each other, in forward-reverse.  I plan to park several more locos on the sidings.  I do not plan on Legacy or TMCC control,

I have responded to an eBay listing, and will soon be in receipt of two V1.3 platinum TPC3000 controllers.  They will have more features than my V1.1.

I will get all of these three TPCs wired up in a test track with a couple different power supplies trying out the 3 loop control concept and evaluating which TPC will be programmed to which loop. 

Then I will look at a 6-14184 Block Power Controller to control some of my sidings.   I recognize I can do the same with toggle switches, but I like the idea of being able to use the two CAB-1L remotes that I have.  Perhaps I'll toggle them regardless.

Then a Controller for my remote and coupler tracks, to enable CAB-1L control.

Got a long way to go!

Your CAB1 Base does not play well with Lionel's newer LCS modules such as the Lionel 6-81640 LCS Block Power Controller 2 (BPC2).  Stick with the pre-Legacy IC Controls or Lionel modules that do not have a '2' suffix.  The original modules communicate via the two-wire serial daisy-chain connections.  The LCS modules communicate via Lionel's PDI cables and require a connection to a Legacy base.

(The CAB1 base can communicate with LCS modules via a SER2 and null modem cable, but that's extra complication you don't need).

Did you read this incorrectly?  I said I was looking at the BPC 6-14184.  The BPC2 is the 6-81640.  And I have a CAB-1L Base-1L. 

Thanks,   Randy