Question / Issue on Command in Conventional

I had the same issue. You have to cut the power to the command base. Obviously this is not practical. I use TMCC to control switch tracks and UCS tracks. TPC set to conventional, but the TMCC engines I had still see a TMCC signal and sit there waiting for a command which they won't get. Since I use TMCC to operate switches and UCS tracks while running conventional trains, I had to sell off my few TMCC engines.

Thanks BIGO

I see your point........I wonder if there is some sort of "arrangement" that can be fairly easily done and applied when necessary to run command in conventional in this way.

Dave

lionel engines default to looking for the command signal.

the only way to run lionel command engines in conventional is to shut off the command system.

I run conventional with a TPC300 and TMCC.  At the same time I sometimes run TMCC engines on the same loop.  The TMCC engines don't get the full 18 volts, but they do run fine for me.  I imagine purists would not tolerate this, so I would like to know if I am really harming the electronics.

As long as the command base is powered up the locomotive will see the signal; and come up in TMCC mode. There is one workaround IF you are using a Cab1. You can take out the TPC300 and put in a powermaster (not a Legacy Powermaster) for each loop of track and take out the command base. The Cab1 talks directly to the powermasters and doesn't need the command base to send the signals. The TMCC engine will then run in conventional with the cab1.

Ron

The PowerMaster gets its commands from the Cab 1.  TPC 3/400 gets commands from the Command Base.  That means the TPC places a command signal to the track.  Changing out to the first generation PM would work.

Just  disconnect the "U" connection wire  on the command  base and move it as far a way as possible. now  you should be able to run a  TMCC engine in conventional using the TPC.  It worked for me years ago.

...and on the other side of the coin, another member long ago reported that his TMCC engines would come up in command even with the base disconnected on the other side of the room. The locomotives were still picking up enough signal through the air to come up in command. Said member had to unplug his 'base to get those units to power up in conventional.

---PCJ

RailRide posted:

...and on the other side of the coin, another member long ago reported that his TMCC engines would come up in command even with the base disconnected on the other side of the room. The locomotives were still picking up enough signal through the air to come up in command. Said member had to unplug his 'base to get those units to power up in conventional.

---PCJ

Unfortunately if you do that, the base can no longer talk to the TPC....Back to transformer handle I guess.

It would take less than 10 seconds to unhook the U connection and give it a try.(recycle power to layout.)

Thanks Gents for the help.

Indeed, given the set up I described, removing the one wire from the Legacy Base terminal marked "Track U" will allow the operation of TMCC in conventional mode.

Must be removed from the base unit.

I just left it a few inches from the Base and all was well.

Dave

And now the shortcomings of the TPC rear their heads. So late in the game, too.

Instead of removing the wire, will installing a switch do the job?

Nathan

Yes, our club, the Lionel a Railroad Club of Milwaukee, installed a single on/off to switch to turn off the command base so that trains can be run conventionally. The only problem in a club setting is that everyone has to agree to run conventionally, which doesn't happen very often. 

There is also have a siding or passing track where you can place the TMCC/L engine, and hove a switch to cut off the power to the middle rail of the siding between isulated pins!