Using More than One TMCC Cab1 Simultaneously

Trying to understand why you would do this? The chances of the 2 engines fighting each other are high with 2 people controlling each individually.

If you just like a challenge.......

Sure, this is no different than 2 people at a club running 2 different trains at the same time using 2 remotes.

"If more than one Cab1 controller is in use, is it necessary to re-enter the locomotive ID every time you want to make an adjustment?" No, the remote is sending the command, it remembers the last address command typed into it- it sends all subsequent commands using that address.

https://www.lionelsupport.com/TMCC-Command-Base

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TMCC & LEGACY Signal Basics 12/11

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Programming Lionel TMCC 1 Locomotives

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The normal way for an MU consist is called a lashup in Lionel terminology.

page 22-27 of the manual View

@Vernon Barry posted:

Sure, this is no different than 2 people at a club running 2 different trains, not coupled together, at the same time using 2 remotes.

Agreed.

Mike

Also to use a Cab1L you would need a Base1L. It won’t talk to Command Base. Best get a second Cab1. If you had a Legacy 990 then you could use either a Cab1L or Cab2 along with your Cab1 but as you likely know they are hard to come by these days.

Pete

I experimented one time years ago with DCS and TMCC. Not exactly the same as what you are trying to do. I programmed the DCS engine using the record feature. Used the TMCC engine as a pusher on the rear of the train as a helper. Basically it was just simulating a helper being used on a hill. The DCS engine ran without touching the remote. I wasn’t running at any great speed. I use Kadee’s on everything and you can watch the slack go in and out of the couplers and adjust your speed. It did work. As the DCS engine slowly accelerated it was easy to control the TMCC engine just by watching the couplers and finding the correct speed step that matched. Would probably be even easier with Legacy.

I have used TMCC to run locomotives as double-headed units and as a lead and "snapper" (the PRR term for pusher) pair.  Both scenarios involve creating a TMCC "lash-up" (sorry Rich that's Lionel's word not mine).  I wouldn't recommend using 2 separate CAB-1s to individually control locomotives in this case.

At present, there are 3 configured lash-ups on the Panhandle:

• A pair of 3rd Rail Decapods
• A pair of Williams K4s
• A pair of Lionel E-7 AAs

All work fine.  Remember that TMCC refers to these pairings as "trains" and that you have a limited number (1-9) of them with TMCC.  Check out the manual.

George

On My late Friends HO layout, he had built a grade that a train longer than about 8 cars could not make with one locomotive.    He modeled 1928, so it was all steam.    His mainline trains were usually 12-16 cars so anything leaving "holidaysburg yard" and going up the hill could not make it with one loco, it had to have a helper.

We regularly rain with the main loco and helper pushing on the rear that were separately controlled.   It was never a problem.    The guy running the helper just watched where the slack was and tried to keep it about 2/3 back in the train.   The lead guy would set the pace and the helper would match it.

As long as you can control both locos individually it should never be a problem.    And it should be easier just double heading rather than having the helper on the rear of the train.

Hi everybody,

Thanks for the replies, I appreciate the information!

The reason that I'm interested in using two controllers and two engineers is "just for the fun of it." Every year at Thanksgiving and Christmas I set up an O Gauge track on the dining room table to help shuttle food, condiments, drinks, and silverware around the dining table. It works great, but some of the heavier tonnage loads need more than one locomotive at a time.

I could of course do a lashup, but I volunteer at a 1:1 scale railroad museum, and some of my fellow volunteers from the museum are at the Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners too. Since we're 1:1 engineers, and they also enjoy running the O Gauge trains on the table, it seemed appropriate to let them run an engine for doubleheading.

Right now, my motive power consists of a Lionel Harriman 2-8-0 and a Lionel starter set 4-4-2. I'm thinking of getting a K-Line Mikado to doublehead with the 2-8-0. The K-Line Mikado has an interchangeable 3-rail O front coupler for doubleheading.

Thanks!

Dan

Run the two engines together giving them a train number. Pass the remote to your friends and make it a competition to see who delivers the goods the best. 😎 This will work as it should, save you money, be a lot of fun. 👍🏻