Upgrading to TMCC/DCS control

The MTH DCS system has a variable channel feature which will allow conventional control of trains with non command locomotives . There are two variable channels to run the two loops in the DCS system as it is supplied. To control your accessories and switches you will need to add the accessory interface AIU device. Since you have 7 switches, three operating tracks and several accessories you wish to control remotely, it sounds like you may need at least 2 AIU devices. You will also have a DCS signal on the track which will allow you to add a MTH command equipped locomotive which could be run in command mode .

You can do this with Lionel equipment as well. TMCC is no longer made, but you do see them for sale on the buy and sell board and the bay from time to time. Lionels system is Legacy and comes with a Command base and a handheld which gives you the ability to run TMCC or Legacy locomotives on your layout. To add conventional control, you need to add a device like a TPC 300 for each loop operating conventionally. There are also differrent switches that work with Legacy that you can use to operate your switches and accessories. If you upgrade to Gargraves or Ross Switches, you can buy them with Z stuff Z-2500 switch machines which can be dirrectly controlled by TMCC or Legacy I believe.  The TPC devices will also run MTH command locos in conventional mode using the TMCC or Legacy Handheld.

You can also have command control of MTH locomotives by adding a DCS system. DCS and TMCC/Legacy will work on the same track simultaneously.

Unless you have your layout split into blocks, even DCS will only let you run 1 conventional engine at a time.

If you're going to buy Command Control engines from now on, with an occasional conventional purchase, I'd say DCS because you can run them all (not sure about Legacy stuff).

I've gotten spoiled by DCS and now run PS2 engines 95% of the time.  I have 4 conventional engines with the 3rd Rail E7 on the way, and can't wait for the PS3 upgrade kits to come out (I'll even settle for a couple of PS2 kits).

Despite what has been said the last few days, DCS is so simple, a caveman can do it.

Happy to post here, but you may want to post on the DCS forum for some other opinions. For my layout, I bought the DCS system, a TMCC Command base and the interconnecting cable. I have since also bought a TMCC remote. To the best of my knowledge, you should be able to do the same thing with a Legacy Command base.

I have my Legacy Command Base connected to the DCS TIU, and it all works fine.  The DCS remote controls TMCC trains, but you still need the Legacy remote for Legacy stuff if you want all the neat Legacy features.

Bob

I think the poster indicated that his layout had two isolated loops. So my thinking would be  that using a variable channel for each of the loops allows the poster to run two trains conventionally as he did before but now with the handheld.

This has probably been done somewhere but I think it is worth reprinting either in the magazine or here.  Can someone create in table form the functions of TMCC, Legacy and DCS.  Things like compatability, operating voltage, interchangability, conventional or not, special wiring to ensure signal reliability and anything else I failed to mention.