Questions about TMCC & DCS

most likely these are fastrack switches and it will require some work to make them work with atlas and gargraves track.  the fastrack switches are mainly made for the legacy system, but will work with tmcc.

 I did the DCS system with a CAB1-L. Very happy with both.

 If you want to control switches, then add a AIU (accessory interface unit )

 to the DCS system.

Choosing a command system (TMCC, Legacy or DCS) often boils down to personal preference. At the least both systems can operate multiple trains on the same track remotely, operate switches and accessories, and support conventional operation of non-command equipped locomotives. Lionel does offer TMCC-equipped turnouts as part of its FasTrack line, but any switch machine can be controlled by either TMCC or DCS - you just need to purchase the necessary module (called an SC-2 for TMCC, or an AIU for DCS). FasTrack is a great system for smaller layouts, but if you prefer Ross, Atlas, or Gargraves track, the feature isn't much of a selling point.

You mentioned having a TMCC locomotive, with plans to acquire more. If most of your locomotive fleet will be TMCC equipped, purchasing TMCC would be a good start. Legacy-equipped locomotives run just fine under TMCC, so you do not necessarily have to purchase the Legacy system. On the other hand if most of your future fleet will be DCS-equipped, then starting with DCS is a logical choice.

Now what if you plan on operating both DCS and TMCC equipped locomotives? The good news is both systems will work well together on the same layout. DCS and TMCC communicate with the layout differently (DCS uses the track; TMCC uses radio waves similar to RC cars and planes), and as such have slightly different wiring schemes. Most operators will recommend wiring your layout for the DCS system (using matched pairs of wires radiating from a central point, aka "star wiring"), and then adding the TMCC remote and receiver. As an extra bonus, the DCS remote can even control TMCC-equipped locomotives with the help of a special adapter cable between the DCS base (called a TIU), and the TMCC base.

I've avoided delving too much into Legacy, only because Legacy muddles the waters a bit. DCS cannot operate Legacy locomotives set to the Legacy mode, nor can DCS activate any of the special features that only Legacy supports.

I know this is a lot of information to digest, but when I first got into command control, I read Command Control for Toy Trains by Neil Besougloff. It's an excellent primer for command operations, and breaks down the differences between DCS and TMCC. Most sources have the book for less than $20, which is a nominal investment given the pricetag of a basic TMCC or DCS system.

-John

John,

DCS cannot operate Legacy locomotives set to the Legacy mode, nor can DCS activate any of the special features that only Legacy supports.

That's not quite correct.

Actually, DCS can operate any Legacy engine via the DCS Remote provided that the DCS TIU and the Legacy, or TMCC, command base are connected together. Legacy engines simply look like TMCC engines to DCS.

It's also true that the DCS Remote, while able to perform just about any TMCC engine command (as long as a SET button isn't required), cannot operate any of the engine features that reside solely within Legacy, e.g., the quilling whistle and some others.

Oops - I had the "Legacy" and "TMCC" settings on the Legacy remote confused with DCS.

Thanks Barry for the catch!

-John

TMCC engines actually run much better with the CAB-2 or CAB 1L.  The original CAB-1 does not even give you access to all of the TMCC commands that are available.

I've heard this many times, not trying to hi jack the thread, but why is this?

Thanks

The CAB-1 was released about a year before the LCRU's and the command base.  The CAB-1 has address limitations and it can't generate certain commands.  The most important has to do with speed steps.  TMCC supports absolute steps while the CAB-1 can only do +|- relative steps.  Odyssey 1 engines work properly under TMCC commands but you need a CAB-2, a CAB-1L or a computer program to access those commands.

I've had the Legacy set for about two years but only picked up my first Legacy engine last August.  I've relegated the CAB-1 to test usage.  Even my oldest TMCC engines run much, much better using the newer system.