My current layout consists of three loops and misc sidings. My control panel consists of four channels, toggle switch selectable, using either manual control (Lionel KW and Z transformers) or TMCC with PM1 with PH1 Bricks for conventional remote control. My train collection is heavily into Tinplate Trains, with my most advanced tinplate engine sporting PS1 sound. The remainder of my collection are Lionel and Williams engines.
My Issue is that with the discontinuation of the TMCC Base and Cab1 on 04/20/2010 the PM1’s truly became out of date and the bridge Lionel released for the Legacy system is just a crutch to allow the transition to the newer control system. I like the entry price level of the PM1 and don’t want to see Lionel drop out of this part of the market, but it is time to introduce the PM1 replacement which could work with both TMCC and Legacy. Lionel currently has a design which could fill this need and add additional features to such a unit. A new PM2 with a single channel based on the ZW-C could nicely fill this need and also add the ability to select between multiple momentum settings. Such a unit would be compatible with both TMCC and Legacy because it would be using the track signal for control as compared to today’s PM1 which uses the Cab1 Signal.
In the Future I would like to update the entire TMCC system to Legacy control but I do not like the idea of using the bridge to allow use of the PM1's and the cost of upgrading to TPC's is a bit costly when using only a single power brick to power each loop.
I would like to hear from others on this forum on the subject, is there enough of a market to justify the upgrade of the PowerMaster?
