TMCC any benefit

Mr Union Pacific posted:

I operate my layout with DCS.  I have several tmcc locomotives that I operate through the dcs controller.  Obviously, to operate my tmcc locomotives I had to purchase a tmcc command base. Would there be any advantage for me to also have a tmcc controller and operate the tmcc locomotives with that?

Don't know if it would be any advantage for YOU, but I found by adding Legacy AND TMCC to our layout, it was much simpler when guests brought a TMCC or Legacy locomotive model over, to simply hand them a Cab-1 or the Legacy Cab-2 hand held.

If they are just TMCC, probably not, although I seem to remember that there are a couple TMCC features you can't adjust using the DCS remote (Sorry, I don't remember well enough to say what.).  If they are Legacy, then you should most definitely use a Cab-2.

Did you get the command base second hand?  I ask becasue Lionel always sold the command base with a remote, so if you bought it new, you have the remote and could just try it, since doing the best over asking opinion.

I personally found when running multiple trains that could have a collision. the tmcc remote is much quicker than the dcs remotes speed wheel when trying to spin it fast. I have bassiclly the same setup DCs with Tmcc no legacy yet and I use the dcs remote for everything except when running multiple engines at the same time that way no accidents. I do have more TMCC engines than Protosound also only 2 ps2.0 and 2 ps3's. the big red wheel stops them faster in a emergency.

You can do factory resets with a cab-1 (code etc) that the dcs remote can't do. Even if you never use it'll eventually come in handy.

I have both a DCS and TMCC engines. So I added a Legacy base/remote about 6 months ago, previously I had a TMCC base/remote. I find that operating my TMCC and Legacy engines with either the Legacy or TMCC remote is much easier and more reliable. I would say go for it.

RAY

I have to sing with the chorus, one key element missing for the DCS emulation for TMCC is the SET button.  This prevents you from doing some configuration operations on TMCC locomotives.

You now have two remotes and can operate them at the same time without having to toggle back every time you would want to change speed, direction, etc.  Go for it I did and like it a lot.

Mr UP,

    I look at this in a different way, sooner or later you are going to want add Legacy to your DCS layout, just bite the bullet and add it now, forget just adding the TMCC, in the long run it will be just more cost.  The Legacy will control every TMCC engine you own and hooked together DCS & Legacy are fantastic, in my opinion the very best way to run a layout today.  Purchase the Legacy not the TMCC.  I have never owned the basic TMCC package and I have never missed it.  It took me years to add Legacy to my layout and now I am glad that I did.  Legacy Engines are expensive however, course you can still purchase the older TMCC engines used, if you like.  IOM Legacy is your next cost effective engineering step, besides that Legacy Engines are great stuff!  Especially the Legacy Shay.

PCRR/Dave

For loop running, DCS and TMCC controllers should work without interaction, and so no issue. However, with two or more trains on the same loop, two controllers would be too much of distraction for me, so I would rely on the DCS remote.

I have the equipment to hookup TMCC on my layout which is currently has DCS, but I have been reluctant / nervous about doing so. The DCS runs so well, I am afraid to use TMCC.

I bought the TMCC components because Lionel has a couple of locomotives that MTH is not likely to offer: NYC S Type; NYC / B&A 4-6-6T Tank Engine.

Bobby O,

    The TMCC is just a single wire drop, put the wire on the opposed outside rail from the DCS connections and then run your TMCC drop wire to each Red outboard DCS TIU Channel, setting up a double TMCC Signal.  I do this with my Legacy package, runs both DCS TMCC/Legacy like a dream.  If you want to run the TMCC/Legacy from the DCS Hand held Control you will need the DCS/TMCC or Legacy wire to connect the TIU & TMCC/Legacy Base.  Actually pretty simple and straight forward engineering, that works great.

No need to be reluctant or nervous about this set up adding TMCC/Legacy to your DCS, it's real simple stuff, and with FasTrack it gives you wireless Command Control Switches, which IMO is a fantastic engineering upgrade to any layout.

PCRR/Dave

Thanks for the information everyone!