Powermaster Bridge, or just go with Legacy Powermasters?

I'd go with the Legacy PowerMasters.  They are a far superior unit to the old TMCC PowerMaster,

Lionel #37146 LEGACY PowerMaster at Trainworld for $77.99

 Some of the benefits of the Legacy PowerMaster vs. the TMCC PowerMaster

• Better circuit protection
• Complete emulation of the MTH PS/1 and PS/2 conventional commands
• 32, 100, or 200 speed steps in conventional mode running.
• No more interference prone 27mhz signals to deal with anymore.

I use four old power masters so replacing all four is costly. I installed the bridge and it works great. I will eventually buy a ZWL but until then the bridge will have to do. 

Rod Miller

Gentlemen,

   If you run both DCS and Legacy together you do not need to worry about the Legacy/TMCC power master set up.  If you run strictly TMCC/Legacy I advise the purchase of a new ZW-L for it's control systems.

PCRR/Dave

I have a power master bridge I will sell you for $15 plus shipping

Pine Creek Railroad posted:

Gentlemen,

   If you run both DCS and Legacy together you do not need to worry about the Legacy/TMCC power master set up.  If you run strictly TMCC/Legacy I advise the purchase of a new ZW-L for it's control systems.

PCRR/Dave

Dave the coarse 1/2 volt steps of the TIU are no match for the 100 or 200 step mode of the Legacy Powermaster.

OK; adding to my confusion, I neglected to mention that I might decide to add DCS at some point only because I've found myself thinking that MTH has some nice offerings.  So, please confirm or rebut my assumptions below:

1. With my current TMCC / power masters / bricks, I can run conventional engines, TMCC in full, Legacy using the TMCC subset, and DCS engines conventionally.

2. If I wanted to add Legacy, I can add just the command base and use existing TMCC cab1 to run conventional, since Legacy cannot talk to existing PowerMasters.

3. If I add Legacy, I can sell the cab1 & TMCC powermasters and purchase Legacy PowerMasters which have better protection, design, and circuitry. I can then run conventional engines, TMCC engines with full capability, and Legacy with full functionality.

4. If I add DCS to my current system (no Legacy), I can sell the cab1 remote (keep the base), sell the TMCC PowerMasters, and run all power thru the DCS TIU. Two bricks will power two loops. Wire them as fixed input, but variable output to each loop. I can then run my conventional engines, TMCC using full TMCC command set thru the DCS remote, and Legacy engines using the TMCC subset of commands.

5. If my ultimate end-game is in fact to add DCS AND Legacy, I'm thinking I should add DCS first to remove need for buying new Legacy PowerMasters. If I added Legacy first, I'd have to either use both TMCC and Legacy remotes or buy new Legacy PowerMasters. Adding DCS first (to existing TMCC) allows me to add the TIU, thereby providing variable power for conventional operation, yet still providing full Legacy command when I add Legacy.

6. To have full control of all features of all vendors, I'm still going to have two remotes - DCS for MTH products, and Legacy for full Lionel features.

7. Did I get that right? I'm unsure of ability to connect PowerHouse 135 bricks to the fixed terminals of the TIU yet have variable output for conventional locos.  The DCS manual says DC power as fixed input cannot be converted to variable output, thereby causing my confusion - just want to verify that my "all AC" systems can support the fixed voltage input for conventional operation.

Thanks again;