Operating systems

I'll try to just give the basics and not get into all the equipment required to do all of the functions available. I'm sure others will add more and clarify or correct anything I was a bit off on.

Lionel has Conventional, TMCC (version 1) and Legacy (version 2). MTH has Conventional and DCS. Lionel has permitted other manufacturers to use TMCC, but not Legacy. Atlas and 3rd Rail and maybe Weaver and possibly others use TMCC. MTH has not allowed the use of DCS by other manufacturers. Any of these systems can run anyone's conventional equipment.

The TMCC, Legacy and DCS systems work independently, but can all be run on the same layout at the same time. Conventional can be run also, but probably best to have that on it's own loop of track and not run with the others at the same time on the same track.

DCS can run TMCC equipment with the addition of proper Lionel controls. DCS can operate Legacy equipment in TMCC mode, it can't operate all the the new features added by Legacy.

TMCC and Legacy can't operate DCS equipment.

Any of the systems can operate any equipment in conventional mode with the proper set up and control equipment.

As far as everything that can be done with each system, that's couple of books worth of stuff.

Another type of control that nobody has mentioned is used with K-Line and Williams operating cars, they can be operated by a remote control from their respective company. K-Line remote only works K-Line and not Williams, however the newer Williams by Bachmann remote works both the K-Line and Williams before Bachmann cars and WBB operating cars.

TMCC, Legacy and DCS can not work the K-Line or Williams operating cars!!

Like John C. I wish that somebody would come out with a universal remote control for all the systems that are in O gauge trains. Because to buy all three systems and the Bachmann remote control will break the budget!

Both of the K-Line and Williams operating cars will also work with the uncoupling track section from most companies.

Lee Fritz

One thing to keep in mind is that command control (DCS/TMCC/Legacy) are fundamentally different than conventional control. 

With conventional control, the track voltage is changed to change the speed of the engine. From a transformer, it is the transformer handle, if you are operating one of the command control systems in conventional mode, they adjust the voltage. In conventional mode, output to the tracks ranges from 0 to 18 volts or so. 

With command control, the power to the tracks is always 18 volts, and the speed control is done via controller in the engine, that gets its instructions from the command control system via signals passed through the rails, it is basically analagous to radio control on model planes and such. 

While you could in theory run a conventional engine on the same loop of track as a command engine, it would be messy, because to operate the conventional engine you would be varying track voltage, which would screw up the command engine that operates on constant 18v......It is why if you want to operate both, it is better to have conventional on another loop of track where you can vary its voltage. 

There is a forum on here for command control with the guys who use it, lots of good information there.