Legacy Control of Conventional Locos

1) Yes

2) Yes

3) First part, Yes   second part, depends on your future expansion plans

You just need a Legacy Powermaster. Or you can use the older Powermaster and the Legacy Powermaster Bridge.

Regards

Nick

Wow - that was fast!  I wonder how long it will be before that Powermaster ships. I'm hoping it will not be difficult to add it to my current system.

I just noticed the Lionel catalog states that the Legacy Powermaster controls UP TO 180 watts of power.  Now, my transformer is 270 watts - is this a problem? (I'm NOT an electrical genius!)

Your transformer is 270 watts, but that's spread across the 2 outputs in some fashion (instinct wants to make me say 135 each, but I'm not terribly familiar with the MRC 270).  The 180 limit of the PM should not be an issue here.  It's not common  to have a transformer that can supply more than 180 watts via one output (I am pretty sure there are no currently offered units, there was one company that did this years ago, I think).

It's not easy to tell exactly your setup from the pic, but you would need a separate PM for each loop (block) you wish to power independently.  Are you trying to run more than one conventional loco on different loops, or is just having one at a time good?

-Dave

Dave - just one at a time. Since this was a pure Legacy layout when I built it, really didn't need more than one power block.

You could go with a TPC 400, item #6-14179, it handles up to 400watts. no bridges required, just the TPC unit. It offers some added "tunabiltiy" i.e. speed step selection, startup voltage etc. You can even run conventuional and command at the same time however performance is limited by the amount of voltage give to the track to run the conventional loco. Running your conventional loco a bit faster allows more usable voltage for the legacy loco, not ideal, but it does work.

I have one and like it alot.  FWIW it will also operate MTH locos very well conventionally, even fire the proto coupler via the remote.

Rick - if I went with the TPC 400, would that be ALL I would need, or are there other various expenses (cables, etc)?

Just the 6-14191 command base cable, which connects the legacy base to the TPC unit.

Heres a link to Lionels website for more info, theres video as well as online access to the instruction manual if you want to check it out.

http://www.lionel.com/products/finder/ProductDetail.cfm?ProductNumber=6-14179&expandBranch=0&Keywords=14179&CategoryID=40&RailLineID=&CatalogId=

I don't recommend you plan on running command and conventional on the same tracks at the same time.  While it will sort of work, there are a number of issues besides the voltage. 

I'd probably consider the TPC-300 if you're buying, since it's pretty rare you would need the full capacity of the 400 watt model on one power district, so the capacity is wasted.  You can get the TPC-300 for significantly less money as a rule.

The MRC 270 watt transformer has a 7A maximum from each handle, and paralleling them is NOT recommended, you'll have very high core currents between the handles if the voltage is at all different on the two.  Even with the handles in parallel (let's assume full voltage), the TPC-300 is still sufficient for the entire output of the transformer.

Forgot about that, TPC 300 is 6-14189, looks to be $40 cheaper bought new from the "volume dealers".

http://www.charlesro.com/store/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=CRSC&Category_Code=OLTP

I see TPC-300's for sale regularly for less than $100, I bought the two I have for $80 and $85.  However, it seems, for reasons that I don't understand, the TPC-400 goes for a lot more, even used.  I just don't see the utility of the TPC-400 over the 300 for 99% of the folks that would use them.  Is there really a need for more than 15 amps of power on a single track segment?  Most modern or semi-modern transformers limit the total current to 10 amps, that's plenty for our club layout with multiple trains on a single power district.

So, it really sounds as though the TPC 300 and cable is the best fix at this time.  However, it sounds like the Legacy Powermaster might not need a cable.

The new Powermaster would be a nice solution, probably going to cost more than the TPC-300 until they start getting discounted.

Actually looks like its already half, I'm still a fan of the TPC, the aluminum case gives it more of a quality feel, and it does the added "stuff" I mentioned. Howver I'm not sure if the if/when the legacy powermaster is available.

http://www.charlesro.com/store/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=CRSC&Product_Code=L37146&Category_Code=OLTP

OK - ONE LAST QUESTION.  Currently, I have my buildings, lights, etc hooked up to the 14v fixed output of the transformer.  I don't see ANY outputs on the TPC other than to the track itself.  Is this an issue?

There are terminals for "power in"  and terminals for "power out" to track, no big deal. Keep your accessories on the transformer and run the track power into the TPC and back out to the track.

THANK YOU EVERYONE!

I'm impressed they came down in price in a hurry, usually it takes more time.

After hearing all of the above input, I think I'm gonna wait and see what this Legacy Powermaster offers in capability before I make my decision.  Still not sure of what it will do differently (or better) than the TPC. But, I'd hate to buy the TPC and regret not waiting for the Legacy Powermaster, especially if it has some features that the TPC doesn't.  I'm all about simplicity - and perhaps the Legacy Powermaster will be the answer.

The TPC-300 has one advantage if you have PS/1 or PS/2 locomotives in the stable.  It has macros to access many of the features of those MTH products in conventional mode.

Well guys, I went ahead and placed a pre-order for the Legacy Powermaster!

I think it'll work out just fine in your situation.

Lyle,

Who did you place the order with for the Legacy Powermaster? I need to do the same for our CLUB LAYOUT. What was the Price? I see Lionel just updated their Shipping Schedule to JUNE for this item!

Fred

Fred - Legacy Station in Lilburn, GA.  $74.00 plus shipping

Lyle,

Thanks, I have purchased from them before.

Fred