Just to clarify, are you talking about the Cab1 & Base1 OR the TMCC Powermaster?

There is a difference, the Base1 does need a power supply and it is a special one due to the way it uses the home wiring ground to help with the signal.  Those are hard to come by and I'm sure you can make your own, maybe someone else on the forum has some ideas on that.

A Cab1 remote can speak directly with a Powermaster and that device only requires a traditional power supply i.e. Lionel ZW.  The power master sits between your Transformer and the track, essentially acting as you moving the throttle up or down to vary the voltage to the track for conventional running.

I’m talking about the cab-1L, I’ll take pictures tomorrow so we can figure out what I need.

I believe they did stop making the base1L but still make the cab1L. don't know what to tell you about the power supply. maybe if someone has one they can give you the specs and see if you can find one that comes close. might be able to use an older base1 model.

You just need a 9 VAC power adaptor (transformer) to power up your base.  See pics below.  It does show obsolete from Lionel parts.  I provided a link to an equivalent power adapter.

NOTE:  EBAY LINK REMOVED PER TOS.

  The power adapter link I provided is only a 2 prong and should not be used in this application.  I can't seem to locate a simple 9 VAC grounded power adapter.

You won't.  They're quite rare.

There is a work-around allowing the use of a two prong version which involves a short jumper cable with a flying lead to connect to earth ground (at the screw holding the outlet cover on, or to a nearby cold water pipe):

     Jumper cable for the power with a tap for the earth ground (12/06/20) | gunrunnerjohn

Mike

Here’s one: https://www.newark.com/triad-m...-9v-1-2a/dp/05AC7632

I was looking at the same transformer @SteveH.  He will have to wire up to the ground as I depicted on the spec sheet below. 

Here's how to make the connections.

The screw terminal circled in green is connected internally to the 3rd ground pin that connects to house wiring earth ground.

A jumper is required between the screw terminals circled in black and green.

Note that the white transformer shown in this picture has the same connections as the 9VAC TRIAD MAGNETICS WAU090-1200-SG model linked previously.

EDIT: I see that @Steims beat me to the connections.  We're showing essentially the same wiring.

I thank you all for all the options provided, just one question. Since there are a lot of ways I can do this which one is the most simple to connect? I had Lionel trains for years but I’m new to Tmcc and legacy.

@Steims posted:

  The power adapter link I provided is only a 2 prong and should not be used in this application.  I can't seem to locate a simple 9 VAC grounded power adapter.

Im sorry, I can’t see the link, please send it again if you don’t mind.

Click on the underlined words, they're the link.  Here it is again: 9VAC TRIAD MAGNETICS WAU090-1200-SG

ill let the pros answer that. I had a **** of a time getting mine to work but finally did get legacy going. but you might want to wait a bit since  nothing is being produced right now anyway until they do come out.

One question, can you just hook the power master to a CW-80 transformer? I’ve seen videos of that and the powermaster and it looks like they were used to power up someone’s layout.

The PowerMaster is in the name.  It masters the power on the track.  It is used to remotely (Cab-1, 2, 1L) control the power on the track for non-TMCC/Legacy locomotives.  You have the Cab-1L so it looks like you intended to control one or more locomotives remotely with full power being applied continuously to the track.  If you plan on operating a TMCC Powermaster then we should regroup.  Please post pictures if you took them.

Agreed, pictures would be very helpful in identifying what we're actually trying to discuss here.

The TMCC Trainmaster (Base1), and TMCC Powermaster both have similar looking black brick-like cases, each with different functions.

The Remote Control Base 1L and the Legacy PowerMaster also have similar looking blue cases, but different functions.

Please post some pictures including the label on the top panel and of the back panel jacks for what you're calling the power master, so that we can better help you.

Here’s some photos, I took three just in case if you guys don’t know which one I’m talking about. This should clear up the confusion.

You have a Cab 1L Remote Control and you have a Legacy PowerMaster, but it would appear no base.  This remote does not directly communicate with the Legacy PowerMaster.  The Cab1L communicates with some type of Base that then sends commands to the Legacy PowerMaster.

The types of Bases compatible with the Cab1L are the Base 1L, Base 2, and the yet to be released Base 3.

The Base then sends commands from the Cab1L Remote to your TMCC and Legacy trains and PowerMasters.

If you want remote control over conventional type trains, a PowerMaster is designed to vary a fixed input AC voltage (from an external 18 VAC transformer) based on commands it receives from the remote control/base combination.

Regardless of the PowerMaster, you will need one of the aforementioned Bases to operate Lionel command control trains with your Cab1L remote control.

From Lionel:

LEGACY POWERMASTER

SKU: 6-37146

@Darrell posted:

From Lionel:

LEGACY POWERMASTER

SKU: 6-37146

• Works with all Lionel Command Remotes
• Control conventional locomotives remotely; control speed, direction, whistle/horn, and bell
• Vary track power to fine-tune lighting, accessories, and command-equipped engines
• Remotely restore power after shorts
• Controls up to 180 watts of external power
• Receive commands wirelessly, no serial cable required
• Use one LEGACY PowerMaster per track loop to operate conventional locomotives independently
• Control one or more powered accessories as a group
• Split your yard into separate power blocks with additional LEGACY PowerMasters

PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS

• Brand: Lionel
• Power: Electric
• Most Recent Catalog: 2016-2017 Track and Power

That's the marketing blurb.  If you read the PowerMaster manual, pages 1 and 2:

Yes it works wirelessly with the Cab1L and Cab2 remotes, IF you also have one of the compatible Bases.

I have a Tmcc 2-8-2 mikado jr that I currently run in conventional, are any of the bases you mentioned in stock? Also which one is the most affordable?

Currently Lionel has no Bases in production.  Most if not all Retailers have long since sold out of new Base 1L and Base 2.  They are going for premium prices on the used market.  Base 3 is due sometime in the next year, delivery date TBD.

If all you want to run is a TMCC loco using a remote, a used CAB 1 and Base 1 Set (the origninal TMCC link here> Trainmaster Command Set) is probably the least expensive option.  There was one for sale just last week here on the Forum.

I know that you can run legacy engines with Tmcc, but what if I want to run legacy engines with all legacy features in the future? Is that still possible.  (By the way I found some command base sales on eBay)

@TheRoyalHudson988 posted:

I know that you can run legacy engines with Tmcc, but what if I want to run legacy engines with all legacy features in the future? Is that still possible.  (By the way I found some command base sales on eBay)

Correct, with the Cab1 and Base1 or Cab1L and compatible Base you can access basic features on Legacy Equipped locomotives.

The full set of Legacy features are only accessible using a Base 2 or 3, controlled by either the Legacy Cab2 remote or one of the Lionel Apps on a Smart device.

@SteveH posted:

That's the marketing blurb.  If you read the PowerMaster manual, pages 1 and 2:

Yes it works wirelessly with the Cab1L and Cab2 remotes, IF you also have one of the compatible Bases.

Wow, that limits the market compared to the original which didn't need a base.

I’ve read the Manuel to the powermaster yesterday, did you guys know that you have to program it? How does that work?

You need to give it a command ID.  In it's easiest-to-understand form you do this just like you would with a locomotive.

Push the program switch to the "Program" position.  Apply power.  Push "ENG" on your Cab-x.  Use the Cab-x to choose the ID number and then push 'Set' on the Cab-x.  Move the program switch on the PowerMaster back out of the "Program" position.

You can also program PowerMasters to respond as tracks by using "TR" instead of "ENG" on your Cab-x if you'd like.

Now, once you have selected the PowerMaster using its ID number on your Cab-x (remember to push the "ENG" or "TR first, depending upon which way you set it up), you can now raise and lower the voltage to the track for conventional locomotives by rotating the big knob, clockwise for higher voltage, CCW for lower.

Mike

@Mellow Hudson Mike posted:

You need to give it a command ID.  In it's easiest-to-understand form you do this just like you would with a locomotive.

Push the program switch to the "Program" position.  Apply power.  Push "ENG" on your Cab-x.  Use the Cab-x to choose the ID number and then push 'Set' on the Cab-x.  Move the program switch on the PowerMaster back out of the "Program" position.

You can also program PowerMasters to respond as tracks by using "TR" instead of "ENG" on your Cab-x if you'd like.

Now, once you have selected the PowerMaster using its ID number on your Cab-x (remember to push the "ENG" or "TR first, depending upon which way you set it up), you can now raise and lower the voltage to the track for conventional locomotives by rotating the big knob, clockwise for higher voltage, CCW for lower.

Mike

Thank you, hopefully I remember to look back at this  when I set up my layout.

I found some sales of the command base on eBay does it look something like this? I think this is it. I just wanna make sure I’m getting the right product.

@TheRoyalHudson988 posted:

I found some sales of the command base on eBay does it look something like this? I think this is it. I just wanna make sure I’m getting the right product.

That appears to be a Base 1.  If you were to get this, you'd also need a Cab 1 Remote.  The Cab1L remote you already have is not compatible with the Base1.

You need the one that looks like that but is blue in color instead of black.

Oh I thought the regular Tmcc command base was good enough. At least that’s what I saw on the Manuel. I’ll keep looking for the blue one, not sure if I will find that. I’m pretty sure they’re all sold out. I didn’t really realize this until a few months ago that you can run MTH ps2 trains with it. You just have to flip the switch to conventional, I found some good prices on some MTH trains too. If I can’t find one I might have to get the regular Tmcc command set. At least I’ll be able to run my train and others in the future.

@Darrell posted:

You need the one that looks like that but is blue in color instead of black.

Did you mean that if @TheRoyalHudson988 wants to use his Cab1L remote, then a blue Base1L is needed?

@TheRoyalHudson988 posted:

Oh I thought the regular Tmcc command base was good enough. At least that’s what I saw on the Manuel. I’ll keep looking for the blue one, not sure if I will find that. I’m pretty sure they’re all sold out. I didn’t really realize this until a few months ago that you can run MTH ps2 trains with it. You just have to flip the switch to conventional, I found some good prices on some MTH trains too. If I can’t find one I might have to get the regular Tmcc command set. At least I’ll be able to run my train and others in the future.

Yes the original Cab1 TMCC Command base will work like this in conjunction with your Legacy Powermaster, but you would also need to find a Cab1 handheld remote control to go with it.  The Cab 1L remote that you already have will not be recognized by the original Base 1 because it transmits on a different frequency than the original Cab 1 remote.

The OP might be interested in this thread:

https://ogrforum.com/...3#163461606340201553

John

@SteveH posted:

Did you mean that if @TheRoyalHudson988 wants to use his Cab1L remote, then a blue Base1L is needed?

Yes the original Cab1 TMCC Command base will work like this in conjunction with your Legacy Powermaster, but you would also need to find a Cab1 handheld remote control to go with it.  The Cab 1L remote that you already have will not be recognized by the original Base 1 because it transmits on a different frequency than the original Cab 1 remote.

Ok so I can get the grey one, but I need to get the original cab-1 remote that goes with it. So I can use the powermaster, but I can’t use the blue remote due to it not being compatible with the original Tmcc command base? And if I wanted to use my blue remote I would have get something like Legacy #993.

Answers below...

@TheRoyalHudson988 posted:

Ok so I can get the grey (Black) one, but I need to get the original cab-1 remote that goes with it. So I can use the powermaster, but I can’t use the blue remote due to it not being compatible with the original Tmcc command base? ...

Correct.  A Lionel base of some kind is also required for Command Control ability of TMCC locomotives, cars, and accessories.

@TheRoyalHudson988 posted:

... And if I wanted to use my blue remote I would have get something like Legacy #993.

If you want to use the blue Cab1L remote you'd need either a Legacy Base 2 or 3.  The Legacy Cab 2 remote and Base 2 were sold as a set and that is called the #990 Legacy Command Set (link here).  The #993 Legacy Expansion Set (link here) on the other hand does not have a Command Base, but it's cradle does look very similar to the Base 2.  The #993 is a Cab 2 remote with a charging cradle for the remote.  The #993 charging cradle does not have TMCC/Legacy communication capability with Locomotives and other accessories via the track U post connection on the back of these Bases.

I’m not sure if I asked this question yet, but do you guys know why Lionel stopped producing these remotes?  Like their legacy ones, including the Cab-1Ls base?