Running TMCC vs conventional on cab 1L

I for one like to run TMCC/Legacy in conventional mode to limit the power to the rails. I have had some folks who like to run their trains at ramming speed. By running in the conventional mode I have been able to reduce the possibility of having trains laid on their side. This also gives you the capability to run conventional and Command trains on the same rail.

Ray

Jerry,

 Glad to hear that you are up and running.

Now to your question....  On our Modular Group layout we run our TPC's in conventional mode. This allows us to always have the ability to vary the voltage to the tracks. Make no mistake, with the TPC in conventional mode, the TMCC command signal is still going through the rails to control TMCC equipped engines. 

So here is the scenario that we use to get a TMCC engine to go:    TR1, AUX 1, 9 or BOOST. This puts full power to the rails. then, ENG ID# of the engine on the track. Now you have full control of the TMCC engine.  If you are letting youngsters run your trains, you might want to limit the maximum speed. Yes there is a way to do it using commands, but that is not a sequence that I remember, so I just press TR 1 and adjust the voltage to the tracks lower, until I reach a comfortable maximum speed. Then I go back to ENG ID# and continue to control the engine using the TMCC . Also, when their is a derailment, yes they do happen, it has become second nature to quickely "hit and hold" the DIR button, which disconnects the power to the rails as long as you hold the DIR button down.  Or you can quickly press TR1, AUX 1, 0, to kill the power.

Having our TPC's in conventional mode all the time allows us to always be able to run TMCC engines and Conventional engines without having to switch the TPC's back and forth, between modes.  I don't like to have to open the little door on the CAB-1, I know I'm gonna loose that thing one of these days, so I just like to leave it closed. 

OK so there you have our reasons why we run our TPC's in conventional mode.

Wishing you continued success with your layout.

Thank you very much for your replies, much appreciated you guys are geniuses!

Jerry 

Hello,

Currently I run all conventional but I would like to be able to control these engines with a remote.  Reading through some of these threads it seems if I get a Cab1 Controller, Powermaster and the Power Adapter (I would use my ZW for power) I could control my conventional engines using the Cab1 remote.  Does that sound right?  Am I missing something? 

Looking for any advice on this and if there is a better way.

Thanks.

Mark

Mark ,

I use a Lionel cab 1l which I really like with a TPC 300 and and old post-war Lionel ZW with A5 and circuit breaker. Works great 4 cat control. I do have a brand new Lionel TPC 300 if you are interested. You can email me at jba435@gmail.com if interested.

Good luck, Jerry

Thanks for the offer Jerry but I already have a Powermaster.  I'm just looking to confirm that only need the Cab1 controller and not the Command Base if I am only looking to run conventional via TMCC.

MARKMAD,  If you have a Cab 1 and a TMCC Powermaster that is all you need to run conventional trains with the remote. You need not have the Command Base to run conventional, the Cab 1 will communicative directly with the TMCC Powermaster. Both the Cab 1 and the Powermaster will be the gray color.

Ray

Thanks for the confirmation Ray.  One other question, if you know.  I have 2 separate tracks running.  If I want to run the 2nd track the same way,  I would just need to add another Powermaster...correct?  The Controller can run both lines?

Marty,

If you need any conventional Lionel engines with and without railsounds  let me know as I have tons of gorgeous Lionel post-war and non TMCC Lionel railsounds engines for trade or sale.

Best of luck with your layout, jerry 

Markmad3 posted:

Thanks for the offer Jerry but I already have a Powermaster.  I'm just looking to confirm that only need the Cab1 controller and not the Command Base if I am only looking to run conventional via TMCC.

Correct, just not with the blue Legacy PowerMaster, that requires a command base.

Thanks John.  

I have one other question.  I have 2 separate tracks running.  If I want to run the 2nd track the same way,  I would just need to add another Powermaster...correct?  The Controller can run both lines?

Jerry A posted:

Marty,

If you need any conventional Lionel engines with and without railsounds  let me know as I have tons of gorgeous Lionel post-war and non TMCC Lionel railsounds engines for trade or sale.

Best of luck with your layout, jerry 

Thanks Jerry.

Could be interested in some non TMCC railsounds engines.  Don't have anything to trade but can you email me some of those engines and what you want for them?  Email is in profile.

Thanks.

Mark

Markmad3 posted:

Thanks John.  

I have one other question.  I have 2 separate tracks running.  If I want to run the 2nd track the same way,  I would just need to add another Powermaster...correct?  The Controller can run both lines?

Correct on both counts.

Yes, That is one great advantage that the TMCC had over Legacy, you can run conventional engines only having the remote and the Powermaster. The Cab1l requires the Command Base to communicate with the Powermaster. You also with the Powermaster, TMCC or Legacy,  have very fast circuit protection on the layout.

You will love this system

Ray

I don't know if I'd classify that as a "great advantage".   The Legacy PowerMaster also supports finer speed steps as well as the MTH PS/1 and PS/2 macros to make running those engines conventionally a whole lot more rewarding.  If you don't already have the equipment, I strongly recommend the more modern stuff.

Thank you all for the input.  Since I already have the Powermaster, I am going to start simple and see where it goes from there.

Mark

Hello again.  I now have all the pieces.  The Cab1 remote, the Powermaster (PM) and the adapter cord.  I followed all directions for setting up to run conventional engines.  Have the adapter cord running from my ZW into the PM.  Fuse wire hooked up to A, the other wire hooked up to U.  Wire going from the PM A post to the center rail and the U post going to the outside rail.  Turned up the ZW and the green light came on the PM.  Put the RUN/PROGRAM switch to PROGRAM.  On the Cab1,  I pressed the TR button and 1 button, then the SET button.  The red light on the PM flickered.  I returned the RUN/PROGRAM switch back to RUN.  The CMD/CONV switch is on CONV.  My problem is the power is constantly flowing through the PM to the track.  When I turn the wheel on the Cab1 or press any buttons, the red light on the PM flickers but nothing changes regarding the power to the track...it is constant.

Does anyone have an idea what I am doing wrong or forgot to do?  Any input would be appreciated.

Thanks.

Mark

Hello,

I have now purchased a Legacy Powermaster.  When I put power to it, the green light comes on and then starts flickering.  It does not acknowledge any commands from the Cab1. The manual says that the flickering green light means a weak or absent command signal.  I changed the batteries in the Cab1 but that didn't help.  Is it saying my Cab1 is not working?  Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks

Mark

You do realize that the Legacy PowerMaster talks through the TMCC command base and not directly to the CAB1, right?  You MUST have a TMCC or Legacy command base to use the Legacy Powermaster.

Recall that I previously said...

gunrunnerjohn posted:

Markmad3 posted:

Thanks for the offer Jerry but I already have a Powermaster.  I'm just looking to confirm that only need the Cab1 controller and not the Command Base if I am only looking to run conventional via TMCC.

Correct, just not with the blue Legacy PowerMaster, that requires a command base.

Thanks John.  I forgot that.  At least I can stop trying to figure out what's wrong.

Mark