What do I need to run Legacy Command?

to run conventional you will need Legacy plus a Powermaster and Powermaster Bridge or Legacy and a TPC 300/400. Most recommend the TPC's over the powermasters

 

The CW 80 will work to begin with. Lionel has a new 180 watt transformer due out soon that will be a nice upgrade. If you were to get a ZW 275 you need external short protection. Personally I don't use my ZW's any longer. Don't trust them with new engines

You wouldn't need the powermaster or tpc if you still wanted to control the speed with the transformer. That would save you some money. This is also nice because you can limit the speed an engine will go to prevent derailments when running tmcc/legacy. Also with just one engine at a time you should have plenty of power with the cw-80 unless you have a ton of accessories.

I don't believe you understand the function of the TPC.  I can limit the speed by just not turning the red knob as much.

tpc track power control, controls how much power goes to the track. Whats not to understand. Turn power on and off via the legacy remote. He was concerned with costs and its not required unless he wants to run conventionally from the remote. I have little conductors using my layout at christmas time. I can just as easily limit the power at the transformer if i have a cw-80 as would a tpc and a powerbrick.

To clarify:

 

1.Your CW-80 and the legacy command set will:

 

Run command control engines via the remote.

 

Conventional via the transformer handle

 

2. If you choose a 180w brick and a TPC unit this will

 

 Run command control engines via the remote

 

 Run conventional locos via the remote, allowing you to vary track voltage with the throttle knob

 

While limited by the voltage given to a conventional locomotive, it will  run command control locomotives and conventional locomotives at the same time,even on the same track.

 

IMO with a 5x10 layout you are pushing the limits of a CW-80 which work better with say a 5x5.

 

FWIW a 180w brick,the legacy command set with a TPC unit will still run you $500, but you have the advantage of a modern breaker on your brick to better protect your trains, and its a brand new component.

No the power master bridge is to talk to the regular power master using a legacy remote. You would be fine with just a tpc. As i understand though they are coming out with a legacy compatible power master soon. I don't know what advantage, if any, it would give you over a tpc.

Thanks everyone for your comments.   I think I understand it a lot better now.  I've been reading and watching videos I just could not figure this thing out.   After going through the comments above I was even thinking of a GW-180 and just control from the transformer for conventional locos and run legacy trains off the remote.   Get that nostalgia of running the layout from the corner like when I was kid.   However, it seems to be the same money as the TPC route but I'll get the benefit of mobility and better use of that $300 remote.   So I guess I'll go with the TPC.  Five hundred big ones.... I better start saving my pennies.  

 

From other threads I've read it seems all the power options confuse a lot of people.   It seems like there are a lot of devices to do what one or two devices could, but I guess it's a symptom of retrofitting and expanding a system through the years as technology improves.   

 

Thanks again for all your comments!

Bear in mind the TPC still needs a transformer of some sort to power it.

Ron

here is what I have on my home layout as recommend when I joined OGR forum.

 

Z1000 from MTH 40-1000 around $100.

TPC 300 6-14189 from Lionel around $100

Legacy 6-14295 system from Lionel $299 at a large mail order house in MA.

 

I can run most everything with this set up.