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I have been a DCS user for 11 years and have never considered TMCC until a few weeks ago. A friend

lent me a command base to try out with my DCS TIU  so I could  try to run 2 Lionel TMCC engines that I bought

at spring York last April.

 

I wired it up according to the instructions(in the DCS users manual) and with a slight hiccup with the run/program mode and changing

addresses  I got the trains running.(with the help of the forum)

 

I wouldn't say I'm hooked but I do enjoy running these locomotives with TMCC.

 

I bought some more TMCC locos both Lionel and Atlas and have some questions...

 

Why is it some locos react differently to commands ?

 

for instance...my Atlas CNJ SD40 is very hard to stop when I hit the direction button... 7 times out of 10

it wont stop,I have to hit it several times to maybe get it to stop,but my Atlas CNJ SW9 switcher reacts to commands

on the first try and is much more responsive than the SD40.

 

I now have 4 Lionel TMCC locos all seem to react fairly well to commands but sometimes I do have to

maybe hit the direction button twice but not often.

 

Out of the 7 TMCC locos I now own the Atlas CNJ SD40 and a Atlas RS1 are the biggest stinkers but the Atlas SW9

runs the best out of them all.

 

Is this a wiring problem ? or do some TMCC locos have there own personalities and quirks ?

 

Thanks in advance ?

 

pictured below are the new additions to what was once only a DCS layout...

 

P1130454

 

P1130456

P1130457

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Originally Posted by taycotrains:

I have been a DCS user for 11 years and have never considered TMCC until a few weeks ago. A friend

lent me a command base to try out with my DCS TIU  so I could  try to run 2 Lionel TMCC engines that I bought

at spring York last April.

 

I wired it up according to the instructions(in the DCS users manual) and with a slight hiccup with the run/program mode and changing

addresses  I got the trains running.(with the help of the forum)

 

I wouldn't say I'm hooked but I do enjoy running these locomotives with TMCC.

 

I bought some more TMCC locos both Lionel and Atlas and have some questions...

 

Why is it some locos react differently to commands ?

 

for instance...my Atlas CNJ SD40 is very hard to stop when I hit the direction button... 7 times out of 10  Most likely an antenna problem.  Older Cab1 remotes are starting to wear-out.  The key touch pads are deteriorating.

it wont stop, I have to hit it several times to maybe get it to stop,but my Atlas CNJ SW9 switcher reacts to commands  The antenna in the SW models was upgrade to a larger metal plate top of the cab. A big improvement over early models.  Also the Atlas SW horizontal drive is a very good unit, IMO.

on the first try and is much more responsive than the SD40.

 

I now have 4 Lionel TMCC locos all seem to react fairly well to commands but sometimes I do have to

maybe hit the direction button twice but not often. Again depends on the age of the Cab1 remote and it's antenna.

 

Out of the 7 TMCC locos I now own the Atlas CNJ SD40 and a Atlas RS1 are the biggest stinkers but the Atlas SW9 Keep in mind that only early RS1 were straight TMCC, I'm not familiar with the SD40 models.  My RS1 has EOB (Engineer on Board) speed control.  Reaction to the Cab1 speed commands is quite different.   Read the manual, understand the EOB control system. EOB speed control can also be turned off, or adjusted via the instruction in the manual and key sequences on the Cab1 remote.

runs the best out of them all.

 

Is this a wiring problem ? or do some TMCC locos have there own personalities and quirks ?  There are momentum adjustments that may or may not improve performance. 

I run a simple system TMCC Cab1 remote and Base.  If you're using the TIU and it's remote there may be small time differences related to transfer of information via a down line system.   That could also effect performance.  

 

Thanks in advance ? TMCC like DCS has some design issues. TMCC is generated on the two outside rails, different from DCS and the signal has to be received by the antenna built in the unit.  Close track, yard areas may have TMCC signal problems. Also Over, under track areas and tunnels can have problems.  There have been threads that addressed these issues.   TMCC in general is a reliable system.

 

pictured below are the new additions to what was once only a DCS layout...

 

P1130454

 

P1130456

P1130457

 

Last edited by Mike CT
Originally Posted by taycotrains:

for instance...my Atlas CNJ SD40 is very hard to stop when I hit the direction button... 7 times out of 10

it wont stop,I have to hit it several times to maybe get it to stop,but my Atlas CNJ SW9 switcher reacts to commands

on the first try and is much more responsive than the SD40.

 

I now have 4 Lionel TMCC locos all seem to react fairly well to commands but sometimes I do have to

maybe hit the direction button twice but not often.

 

my understanding is if you do not stop the engine before changing direction you will cause harm to the electronics.

I don't think that is true.  I stop mine all the time with the direction button.  No electronic or motor failures,

 

Bob, Most likely you have a sensitivity issue or ground plane issue on your layout.

 

Assuming your CAB-1 is good with good batteries, some engines are not as sensitive to commands as others.  May work at one section of the layout and not another.

 

If you place your hand over the engine in neutral does it enhance the success rate of commands to the engine?

 

Things you can do:

 

Perform an R2LC reset with the code (see instruction manual)

Take shell off and reseat R2LC and check antenna connection.

Clean wheels and pickups.

Clean track.

Make sure you have a good ground on the outer rail of layout and the Command Base plugged into a receptacle with a good ground.

 

If none of that works, the poorer performing engine should get a new R2LC, or swap one in from a good engine.  IF that resolves the issue, replace the R2LC.  G

As the topic has wandered to the use of DIR to stop a train I have an odd response to add.  I usually use the dir to stop, and it has worked fine on all of my lionel engines with no ill effect.  Often I will hold down the brake till stopped then tap dir to set idle speed.  The odd problem I've run into is on the K-Line Allegheny I just picked up.  When pressing Dir when moving forward it will not stop, but instead stop, then start in reverse at whatever speed it had been moving.  When pressed again to go from reverse to forward it will stop as normal. Anyone else experience this or have a fix?  

Originally Posted by Erie Bob:

I agree with Gregg.  Is he using the DCS remote or CAB-1?

"A friend lent me a command base to try out with my DCS TIU  so I could  try to run 2 Lionel TMCC engines that I bought."     From his original post doesn't say anything about the Cab1.

Last edited by Mike CT

Yeah, Unfortunately a cab-1 would come in handy here  to make sure it's not a layout wiring problem.  Lets see... Dcs remote talks to Tiu.  Tiu talks to Lionel command base.  Lionel Base talks to track. TMCC engine picks up signal.  

 

Does the double tap brake work with TMCC? I've never tried it.

 

 

Thanks to Mike CT for his help and insights...Mike I always liked your pictures and always enjoyed seeing those Shawmut SWs !

 

I maybe should have stated in the original post I do not even own a CAB1 I am using the MTH DCS remote for my operations.  I tried using one (CAB1) several times at a friends house and do not like it.

 

if what bigdodgetrain says is true This is going to be a short relationship with TMCC...I have been stopping trains with the direction button for years with DCS with no ill effects...but if I have to scroll down the thumb wheel on my handheld to get a TMCC loco to stop....I don't see me doing that.

 

William 1 thanks the LV C420 is my favorite too (I just wish MTH made one)

 

Here is a picture of my original TMCC C420 that I bought last year...seems it was originally a red one that someone custom painted...That paint job was fair at best so I had my friend Steve "give it a beating" with his weathering skills!

 

Close up of non weathered one...

 

P1130460

 

Here is the my original purchase now weathered ....

 

P1130461

P1130462

P1130463

 

Also thanks to GRJ (John) and GGG (George) for there help too. I will check to see if I am properly grounded.

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