Thinking About Taking the Plunge...

I had Legacy, I just plugged in the DCS TIU, connected the Legacy terminal to the track, and I can run either and both at the same time.  There are wiring considerations for large layouts for either Legacy or DCS, but a 4x8 layout will probably just drop in and run.

Matching speed is not too bad, it's really by eye since as you say, Legacy and DCS don't have the same speed scales.  You have to realize that you'll never match the speed perfectly, even with DCS engines.  I've run four DCS engines at once on a single loop about 60 feet long, and running all of them at the same scale MPH, none of them ran exactly the same speed.  They were close, but I'd occasionally have to jockey the throttle of one or two to get them spaced properly again.  I can do as well with the legacy locomotives.  I tend to start them together and get the speed matched when they're close together, making it easy, then slow one until the spacing is right and finally bring it back to the "matched" speed.

I'm sure glad I didn't hear or pay attention to any horror stories because I'm now running both DCS and Legacy on my layout.  The two seem to be co-existing just fine, and even though I have long wished there would be just one comprehensive command control system for all makes of trains (a 3-rail version of DCC, in effect),  I realize that's probably just a pipe dream for now. 

I have 4 tracks with trains running under the table on a 11x24 layout .. I am running 4 180 watt bricks to a tiu with one ground wire from channel 2 on the out of the tui to my legacy remote with zero problems..I also ran a brand new outlet just for my train layout grounded to the fusebox...

SJC, don't we have Legacy, DCS, and TMCC all running together on Trackers layouts?

B&OBill

Good morning all, I have DCS and Legacy on my layout for about a year now

with zero problems. My layout is also fairly large everything run's like a top.

SJC you will be so happy with the Legacy system it was the best move I could have

made.

Thanks, Alex

Thanks all for the help. Original TMCC ran fine with DCS on my old larger layout years ago but want to be 100% sure I should be problem free. Don't want to make a $1000 + purchase if I'll have issues. 

There is no difference between TMCC and Legacy in the signal frequency that goes to the track. The cab2 to base frequency is different but that has no bearing. The information inside the signal from the base to the track is different for Legacy engines.

Ron

Legacy frequencies  FM

Wireless CAB-1 to TMCC Command Base at 27 MHz

Wireless CAB-2 to and from Legacy Command Base at 2.4 GHz  with 9 different channels is equivalent to 2400 MHz or 100 times more hertz or signal that moves through the air than the CAB1.

455kilo hertz to track

8 or 9 bit digital signal - 8 bit TMCC engines, 9 bit legacy engines only.

32 speed steps cab1

200 speed steps Cab2

I know the frequencies but I saw no need to complicate the post with them. The original post refers to whether Legacy would be any different than TMCC at the track level and whether DCS is compatible with Legacy. At this level, command base to track there isn't any difference between Legacy and TMCC except for the 9 bit versus 8 bit.

Ron

Thanks Ron. That is exactly what I was wondering...sounds like I should be OK when I add Legacy in the coming weeks/months. 

I just figured it would be good information to have.