Thinking of going 100% conventional

Seriously?  So you can use the Cab1/2 to vary the voltage/run the trains.  Also with a TPC, you can switch from conventional to TMCC/Legacy on the same block of track.  This discussion is going around in circles.  I'm tapping out.

I am using that MTH Z-1000 transformer to power up and down Legacy track.

You have to be careful, as I do not know the exact max volts or how far to turn teh lever, so I usually turn it to 80%

The TPCs/Powermasters are addressable, and as such allow you to vary the voltage using the CAB1/Legacy remote instead of having to manually crank the transformer handles.

Granted, you could do it the way you stated but my prior statement was made with the approach of a scenario assuming you already have that hardware, or at least were interested in being able to vary the voltage remotely.

In the case of DCS, it's an all-in-one package since the TIU acts as a command base as well as providing a method to remotely control track voltage.   With TMCC/Legacy, you do need to invest in that other equipment since the command base alone doesn't provide that capability.

If you already have DCS then you already have that ability out of the box (the 2 variable channels on the TIU).

If I were you, the first thing I would do is set aside some time and read the manuals and product information so you are firmly acquainted with all the capabilities and methods for utilizing what is a very user friendly way of running your trains.  And simple to set up.  That goes for any new engine purchase as well.  A little research goes a long way and may help alleviate most of the problems you are having.  Cheers.  Enjoy your weekend all you train nuts!

You can certainly do that; you just need the special serial cable to make it work, I use this method and it works just fine since I run both TMCC and DCS engines.  Made sense to me to use what I already had since the TPCs or Powerhouses would be redundant.

Sounds good, I also have Barrys DCS book for reference of needed.

FYI the part# for the TIU/TMCC-Legacy serial cable is 50-1032.

Thanks John this will solve alot of issues.

The other benefit of daisy-chaining the TIU and the Legacy Command bases together is that you can control both TMCC, Legacy (in TMCC mode) and DCS engines all with one remote (DCS handheld) in addition to controlling TMCC/Legacy and DCS engines with their respective remotes.

I started with DCS about 6 months and after understanding how things work, I was able to get the 2 DCS engines to run without issues every time. I have a two track layout and one is conventional. After getting DCS, all I could think about was selling my conventional engines but over time I have grown to like them again. However, I do have a DCS switcher on order and have no plans to buy more conventional but will keep the ones I own. 

Most LHS owners do not have retail training so they react very negatively to any negative issue that customers bring up. Mix that with the buyer that has buyers remorse spending $$$ on something that does not work as expected ... things can get heated.

I preordered  an engine for the first time this winter ... it was supposed to ship in August now the MTH site says November. While I am waiting I have had many hot and cold moments on this purchase ... most of the time I feel like not going thru with the purchase. This feeling usually surfaces when I need to pay for a car repair or some other thing that was unexpected. This has taught me a few things and I am unlikely to preorder again. If a have the disposable income at the time , great. If I preorder and it arrives 8 months later, I might not ...

Have any of you conventional runners ever tried taking the Lionel PWC B-units with SuperBass and FatBoy speakers; which are made to be used with Post War, PWC, TMCC, and Legacy engines either conventionally or C&C, with a Williams Engine ?

Think about it, the B-unit is non-powered except for the sound it makes, runs in conventional mode and sounds better than most Legacy diesels...so why not use it with a Williams F-3?

Well, I tried it!

Not sure if the pre-Bachman can motors are causing interference a Pullmor motor would not cause, but the B-Unit sounds are fine when its the only unit on the track.

Put at least a pre-Bachman F3 on the track too and you not only get horrible sound distortion, but the B-Unit seems like it cannot make it past the few seconds it takes for it to look for conventional mode and switch from static to diesel sounds.

I thought conventional was conventional?

i cannot think of any reason a can motor would cause distortion to a speaker or keep a different conventional unit from making sound...unless its electronic interference.

I do not have a Bachman era 3 to try yet...not sure I want to break the seal on it yet.

But, I have thought of making an isolated block, turned off with the williams unit on it, start the track power and wait for teh B-Unit to make its diesel sounds, then flip the block on where the Williams engine is and see if it causes distortion or not.

Thoughts?