This may have been asked before but is the cable that MTH produces to connect the TMCC base and/or the Legacy base the same?
Did MTH make a change to the cable when Lionel introduced the Legacy system or is the cable the same one they originally produced for TMCC/CAB1?
Replies sorted oldest to newest
There is a buffered cable that is necessary for the Legacy.
Apparently, there was an earlier unbuffered cable that has problems in some environments, so this is the "universal" one.
I know there was the original cable, then a modified one for TMCC only, then they went to a cable that works for TMCC/Legacy.
If I remember the details when Legacy first came out people using the cable that worked with TMCC at the time couldn't get Legacy to work. I think Barry went back the original cable and found out it worked.
Hopefully someone can drop in with the various part numbers, but it the packaging says TMCC/Legacy you should be good to go.
There is a buffered cable that is necessary for the Legacy.
Apparently, there was an earlier unbuffered cable that has problems in some environments, so this is the "universal" one.
I am aware of this new one. I want information on the original.
I know there was the original cable, then a modified one for TMCC only, then then went to a cable that works for TMCC/Legacy.
If I remember the details when Legacy first came out people using the cable that worked with TMCC at the time couldn't get Legacy to work. I think Barry went back the original cable and found out it worked.
Hopefully someone can drop in with the various part numbers, but it the packaging says TMCC/Legacy you should be good to go.
I'm doing some research on some of the differences in the cables so maybe Barry will chime in. I'm wondering if anyone has the original cable.
Barry told me that I would need the new cable for Legacy, so that's what I bought, and it works fine. 
This may have been asked before but is the cable that MTH produces to connect the TMCC base and/or the Legacy base the same?
Did MTH make a change to the cable when Lionel introduced the Legacy system or is the cable the same one they originally produced for TMCC/CAB1?
Found some additional information. MTH had three different cables produced. The first one, 50-1007, looks like simply a DB9 to DB9 cable. The other two, 50-1018 and the latest 50-1032 have a plastic box that one section of the cable goes through.
I'm guessing the latter was created to better operate the Legacy system.
I'm in the process of exploring some features in the original Legacy software. Besides the buffer, whatever that is, does anyone know if the pin arrangements on the cables changed from one version to another?
Could I simply go to a good computer supply store and pick-up a DB9 connector cable or would I need the specific cable MTH produced.
The pin arrangements can't really change, they still have to follow the RS-232 pin standard. OTOH, I believe the cables with the amplifiers may be uni-directional cables. The commands go from the TIU to the TMCC/Legacy Command Base, but I don't think there's any return traffic.
The pin arrangements can't really change, they still have to follow the RS-232 pin standard. OTOH, I believe the cables with the amplifiers may be uni-directional cables. The commands go from the TIU to the TMCC/Legacy Command Base, but I don't think there's any return traffic.
The pin arrangements can't change but connecting wires inside the cable could be connected to some of the pins and not others. So if a simple DB9 to DB9 cable were purchased all of the wires inside would be connected to all the pins.
If you're just looking for information on the original cable, your multi-meter will tell you what you need to know. You can just ring it out and find out what's connected where.
If you're just looking for information on the original cable, your multi-meter will tell you what you need to know. You can just ring it out and find out what's connected where.
Since I don't have the cable that would be impossible.
If you don't have the cable, why would you be worried about it? I'd buy the most recent one that works in all environments. I guess I don't know what your goal is.
I'm doing some research on some of the differences in the cables so maybe Barry will chime in. I'm wondering if anyone has the original cable.
Heck this is a hobby that gets off on endlessly documenting the different molds used for a series non-scale boxcars (6464's) Wanting to see what the various cables and differences that were produced by MTH for the DCS system doesn't seem that odd
I missed the reasoning. 
Access to this requires an OGR Forum Supporting Membership
