Programming locomotives

Eyebank,

      You are not giving us any specific info ie what system are you using TMCC Cab1, Legacy Cab1L, Cab2, Cab3 and what are the product number of your engines you are trying to program. Here are the general steps for programing an TMCC engine using a Cab1. Place engine program switch to program, put engine on non powered track, put 18 volts of power to the track, press Eng, the two digit number you want to use (most choose part of the engine number) press the set button at the bottom of the remote you should hear the engine or horn blow. Turn power off. Place the run program switch to Run. Set power to 18 volts. Start the engine Alt 10.  Turn the red knob. Engine. Goes forward. Good luck. Let us know how it goes.

JohnB

John, thank you for your message. I have three TMCC Lionel Berkshire steam locomotives that I am trying to program. All my Legacy engines run fine with my Cab2 remote. However, when I put my Berk’s on the track and then power up the system the rail sounds start up automatically and will not allow me to program the engines. Do you have any other advice?

thanks again

Did you go on the info screen and set the system icon to TMCC. They will not work if they are set as Legacy?

If you place a TMCC engine on the track and then power up the track, the engine should be silent (as long as the command base was already on).  This is regardless of the program/run switch position.  Either the engine is not receiving the command signal (radio board failure or antenna wire issue) or the tender is not properly connected to the engine and the tender is starting in conventional mode.

We need to know the model numbers of the engines in question to better help you.

Thank you gentlemen. Here is the issue. Even with the Cab2 off the three Berks and a Challenger demonstrate their rail sounds when I power up the track.
Here are two of the model numbers but I don’t know if it will make a difference.

C&O Berkshire 6-38076,

Union Pacific Challenger 6-38093

When I put the steamers on a test track apart from my layout they run fine with a traditional transformer. Any advice is appreciated.

Robert

The fact that you have 4 engines having issues, tends to lean toward a signal issue.  I doubt all 4 of your engines are having problems.  I read that you have a Cab2.  I assume that means you have a legacy base.

1. Is the Legacy base connected to the track you are trying to run the engines on?

2. Do you have the wire from the Legacy base connected to the outside rail of the track?

3. Is the Legacy base powered up BEFORE you power up the track?  If you are turning on the base and the track power at the same time, that could be your issue.  The base must be on first.

4. Is your base plugged into a power strip?  Some power strips affect the ground which in turn affects the tmcc signal.

5. Do you have more than one base connected to the track?  You can only have one base powered up and connected to the track.

Robert

  So you can run Legacy engines using your Cab2 but not your TMCC engines? Did you just purchase them? Do the TMCC engines take off in full speed or do they sit there with the sounds on but don’t move? I have TMCC engines that I programmed once so unless they are new to you why are you now trying to program? Are you using a Base 3?

Gentlemen, I don’t know what I did but I got things working. Could have been what you suggested and/or some of my own. They are working. Thanks again.