the battle continues

With regard to the Gargraves turnouts, I use Z-Stuff D-1000 switch motors.  They are easy to mount.

By alignment I guess you mean throw the switch to align for a train coming.  Wire the center terminal of the switch motor to the hot side of 15 volt or so power source, coming right from the transformer to serve all switch motors.  The outside terminals get wired to the controller, which in turn is fed from transformer ground (usually the U post).  To make the switches self-aligning, you need a short stretch of the outside rail insulated from the adjoining portions.  I use Gargraves track, and it's simple to use a moto-tool to sever the rail in 2 places a few inches apart.  Connect a piece of wire from that section to one of the outside terminals on the motor.  A train's wheel will close the circuit, by feeding ground (U terminal) from the other portions of the outside rail to the insulated portion.  If the motor throws in the wrong direction, connect the wire to the other outside terminal.

"what EXACTLY do I need to run a legacy engine."

Assume you mean in command mode?  In conventional you can run with the variable channels of the TIU.

For command mode, you'll need a Legacy 990 control system (mostly on back order I gather at present) or Legacy Cab-1L and 1L command base (which provides most but not all Legacy functions and is less expensive than the 990 system).

https://www.lionel.com/product...neID=&CatalogId=

http://www.lionel.com/products...neID=&CatalogId=

If you want to control both PS2/3 locos and TMCC/Legacy locos in command mode using the DCS handheld, MTH makes a cable that connects the TIU to the Lionel command base that allows that possibility.  Currently, the DCS handheld cannot issue some Legacy commands (e.g., quilling whistle) but can do almost all basic functions of the system.

thanks

rjr do you have a schematic and a link where to bu the z stuff?

There's been posts that say you only need a TMCC command base (old system or the new 1L) attached to the DCS system but no CAB1 or CAB-1L handheld.

I only use the Command Base 1L on mine, but I have the CAB-1L also.

I have a 3rd Rail E7 with TMCC, a Legacy GP9, and now a RailKing RS3 with ERR Cruise Commander and new Railsounds board installed.

The Cruise Commander manual states you have to set a couple of features (using the CAB-1/1L handheld to set some "Feature Codes", page 7 of the CC manual) prior to running the engine.

My question is, is this step not necessary to run when using DCS?

I wish LHS would get over the MTH vs Lionel thing, they're missing out on a lot of potential sales.  Does this LHS you went to also carry 3rd Rail, Weaver and/or Atlas?  Being they all use TMCC I would think he would or does he also have disparaging remarks to say about them?

The great thing about DCS is you can run MTH, Lionel, Atlas, 3rd Rail, Weaver, and Bachmann (as conventional) engines using it.  You can get PS2 or ERR upgrade kits to turn just about any conventional engine into a command control engine also.  I have done this and no longer have to bother about switching back and forth between command and conventional.

1drummer.  A source is http://zstuffexpress.com/switchm.html   where you can see them.  I suspect that if you search around on the internet, you can find them cheaper.  They are also standard on the GArgraves remote control switches.

I don't have a schematic handy.  If I get a chance today, I will hand draw one and post it.

Tortoise turnout motors mounted underneath the roadbed are very effective and trouble-free [ "stall" VDC motor]. I power 17 from a 12 VDC wall wart transformer and control the turnouts manually with on/on toggles. On a former layout I used ASC Modules and controlled from the handheld Cab 1. [In my old age I much prefer the simplicity and rapidity of toggles].

Are these center off momentary?  Like (On)-Off-(On)?  Or do the Tortoise machines shut off at the end of the point travel?

Rob

They are old mixed toggles, mostly just plain on/on and shut off at the end of the "throw" ["stall" motor, won't burn out].

I am operating from a fixed position in a small round the wall attic operation and cannot see all the turnouts. But the position of the toggle handle on the track schematic tells me at a glance the orientation of the turnout.

I do not miss the walk around capability of the handheld remote operation of the turnouts. I had 32 turnouts on the '09 dismantled layout and the Cab 1 button pushing for ASC operation drove me to simplicity.

DC Volt Meter top right indicates a fixed 12 VDC for Tortoise operation. VAC railpower meters to the left indicate 18 VAC.

CAUTION:  If you have switch machines that don't themselves disconnect at the end of a throw, you must use momentary center-off toggles or you'll burn out the switch motors.  This would include NJInternational machines unless you've wired them to shut off, or old Atlas switches.

RJR is correct to caution regarding turnout solenoid burn out. However, the Tortoise motor is unique in its "stall" characteristics---and no solenoid involved. 

Gentlemen,

   Just because of all the different wiring needed to control some switches, I am now going to invest in FasTrack Command Control Switches, no more wiring like this for me.  On my future layouts I want the Command Control Switches with no wiring running to a AIU, I want one step switch control from a hand held remote with out running wires.  I held off on the TMCC/Legacy, but with this advanced technology

I am going to purchase it, specifically for the Command Control Switches.

PCRR/Dave

Dave

Are Command Control Switches some kind of wireless switch that activates via a signal from the remote?

Dewey,

   Yes, the new FasTrack CC Switches are completely remote control driven from the

TMCC/Legacy hand held remote.  They have no wires, they simply plug into the FasTrack and because they are low voltage, the CC switches can run from either track power of another power source.  They can also be wired for remote manual control switching if desired.  I need to purchase a set of these CC 048 or 072 switches and test them with my Tin Plate Trains to absolutely make sure they will accommodate all my Tin Plate trains.  I am seriously planning to replace all my old Lionel 711 switches if these FT CC switches work correctly with my Tin.  I have been assured that they will do the job correctly using just track power.  However I always do my own testing and intend to set up a pair of these new CC switches and see how they operate, in a nice size layout.

Dewey to me this is one of the biggest advancements in our hobby and few are talking about it.  I know some people who are into realism do not like FasTrack, but if I were them, I would be thinking about transitioning in and out of these FT CC switches.  This new technology is just fantastic.  The draw back ofcourse will be the cost at around $98.00 min per each FT CC switch.

PCRR/Dave

Thanks for the explanation Dave, I was not aware or the new technology. I will never use it on my small layout at my age but it definitely is exciting to contemplate. 

Dewey,

   I fully understand, hate to hear you talking like that however, us old timers need to update our equipment once in a while, I chose to go with the DCS years ago and have not purchase the TMCC/Legacy, looks like I am going to add it to my DCS equipment on this next layout, if the FT CC switches accommodate my Tin.  Dewey ya just got to love Tin Plate trains running on FasTrack with both remote control switches and remote control engines!  Who would have ever believed we would have lived so long to see this kind of technology in our O Gauge hobby.

Dave, if I recall, the 711 is the O72 version of the 022.  If that is so, I would not part with them.   One thing about the 022, is that there never was a problem with unloading shoes hanging up, and they always worked perfectly.  If the 711 is like the 022, I'd rather use them than the new, more realistic types.  Do be aware that they could be worth $150+/- each.

I have a lot of 022 switches, all but one of which sit in a box under the layout.  I was never able to reliably back long trains through them due to the sharp curve.  Don't know what problems you had with wiring them, other than you needed 16-gauge wire to control them. 

If you've got a lot of cars with operating shoes, you might want to try just one of the newfangled type to make sure you don't have problems.

RJR,

   No problems, I am looking forward to eliminating all the switch wires to all the different switches completely.  The 022 switches were completely removed from my FasTrack layout in the 2nd year of operation, they operate well but much of my longer rolling stock could not run thru them and backing up thru them with a long train was a night mare, the layout was reworked removing them all, even on the sidings.

The old Lionel 711's and 072's worked perfectly.  Looking forward to the FT CC 048, 072 and WYE wireless switches.

PCRR/Dave