Power supply vs. control

If they are "Command ready" then they are conventionally controlled and not command controlled.

 

"Command ready" meant that they could be converted to command control with a minimum of fuss and work.

 

If you add TMCC, you can control the trains from your easy chair. Buy a decent sized transformer, not one from a starter set.

 

Start reading some posts on command control. "should I buy a ZW or go TMCC" means that you haven't got that part fully figured out yet. The new ZW transformers have command in them already, and you can also control the track voltage from the remote.

 

Learn the differences between:

-command control

-conventional control using the transformer handles

-conventional control using a remote

 

Once you get that figured out, you should be good to go.

 

If you get some form of cruise control, your locos will be less likely to jump the track.

 

Be sure to have fun.

Command control - 18 volts of power is applied to the track. The engines are controlled via a remote which sends command to the engine to control speed, direction, sounds, smoke, and couplers.

Convential control - The track power varies from 0 - 18 volts. The voltage determines the speed of the engine. Diretion control is triggered by pressing the direction button on the transformer. The direction button cuts the power to the track so the mechanical eunit In the engine can cycle to the next direction.

Some transformers are command controlled. This means that the transformer itself can be controlled via the remote. This allows a user to control both convential and command controled engines. In a conventional engine you would use the remote to control the track voltage and the direction.  For command engines you would just set the transformer power to 18 volts and then use the remote to control the engine.

The new zw-l transformer is a command controlled transformer. It allows easy support for both conventional and command controlled engines. It can be used with and without a remote for maximum flexibility.

As you stated, to run with command you will need to buy the upgrades for you locos.  These are really simple upgrades in most cases, from what I know, normally only involving removing the shell, popping out one board and replacing it with a r2lc.  Gets a little more complicated to add electro couplers, but still not difficult if you are a little handy.  I've never done the rail sounds upgrades, but I believe these are not all that complex either.  The hardest part of the job for me was locating a R2LC board, never mind finding one at a reasonable price (Shout out to Chicagoland toy and hobby, for having these at a very fair price. Who knew I had to drive 5 hours to find a worth while LHS?)  

 

That said, I suppose the real question you need to ask your self is what sort of budget you're trying to work with.  If cost is no object, the ZW-L is the way to go, as it will run anything, from my understanding, and the only drawback I can recall ever hearing is the price tag.  If you are working on a bit more of a budget, I'd recommend starting with a post war ZW.  These range from $100-$200 depending where you buy from, and will be more than enough power for a few loco's and what not.  Going this route has the benefit that if you later decide to upgrade to TMCC, you can still use the ZW for power.  You won't need to replace or add to it until your layout expands quite a bit.  

In addition to the r2lc boards and a transformer or 18Vac power brick, you'll need the TMCC base and cab-1 remote for tmcc.  These are seeming pretty inexpensive on the bay at the moment.  

 

"...I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference."  --  Robert Frost

Ok, thanks for the information. I know the post war ZW's have a whistle button so I assume I wouldn't need an independent activation button for that feature?