The evolution of track power to me was one of lack of knowledge and vision. The end result is that I spent far more than I should of trying to go the cheap or lets just get by with the low-end transformer. However I can say I have a proud collection of transformers.
The start of the evolution started pretty simple with me just running my Post War trains. I didn’t have any concerns after all my Lionel SW 130 has been going strong for 45 years. Then one day I stepped out of the Post War and bought a real cool Lionel Mikado TMCC locomotive. Soon after running it I wanted the additional features such as the bell and crew talk.
I bought the CW 80 since it was able to provide me with the controls to activate every thing I needed with the Mikado and my Post War locomotives. Life was good however that was to change soon.
My daughter fell in love with the MTH Aerotrain and it soon became part of our now growing floor layout. However I was quick to learn that neither the SW 130 nor the CW 80 would operate the features for the MTH PS 2.0. At this stage I really had no plans to develop anything beyond the floor layout so I bought the MTH Z-1000 and happily ran three separate main lines each powered with a different transformer.
Then came the permanent layout and another TMCC engine into the mix. The cool thing about TMCC was that I could run two Lionel TMCC trains on the same track with one hand held controller while being anywhere in the room. Since the layout was going to have three independent rail lines I bought the TMCC, brick and lock on.
After the construction of the layout I retired the SW 130 and used the TMCC with the brick, CW 80 and Z-1000. Life was great but as it usually goes I had a few changes coming. I added switches between the lines and a few other neat things which meant that I had to put the SW 130 back into action plus now I wanted to run The MTH with the TMCC which meant I needed to buy a TPC unit. I was smart and bought the 400.
Then it got worse I added two more MTH PS 2.0 engines which meant the CW 80 was retired and another Z 1000 was added so I could run the MTH engines on all three rail lines. Thus because I didn’t have knowledge combined with a vision my current track power needed to run all three lines independently is 2 MTH Z-1000 transformers, TMCC with the TPC 400 and 180 brick. The SW 130 still is in operation for the accessories such as switches and building lights. The CW 80 and the Lionel lock on are retired.
Now here is where the real vision failed I like using the hand held TMCC control so much that I will soon have to retire the 2 MTH Z 100 transformers and add a 2 TPC units (needed to operate the MTH PS 2.0) and at least 2 more 180 bricks.
So now I will soon retire the 2 MTH Z 1000 transformers in addition to the Lionel CW 80. It would have been much better if I had some knowledge and vision and I could of bought the correct equipment in the beginning and saved a little extra work and frustration.
Renovo PRR,
You may not like this bit of news but to get all the features from your MTH PS2 equipped locomotives you will need the DCS system by MTH, you might get up to three fourths of what you can with a TMCC & TPC 400 but not all features. So you will be in for another surprise as far as money goes.
Sounds like you like the post war trains but you really need to sit down and fiqure out how much money it will cost you to buy the new electronic controls and new transformers. Maybe you can sell the transformers that you don't need on ebay or at a local train show.
To operate switches and accessories with TMCC or DCS you must buy another unit to use with your base unit. Both DCS & TMCC will cost a bit of money. My DCS system cost $400.00 for both the DCS base and handheld remote and AIU(accessory interface unit-MTH).
I just have one track on DCS control, and six switches on the AIU.
A ZW transformer should be able to run four trains with two power bricks.
Lee F.
As far as the PS 2.0 is concerned I get enough with the TMCC not to miss the other features. I haven't fallen in love for those at this point and I would bet I never will. As long as they smoke, crew talk, working couplers and run I am pretty much happy.
The start of the problem is that I like running all three at the same time. Lionel, MTh and Post War. It was how I built the system that was the problem and when you don't have knowlede or vision it leads to the above.
I have a complicated system that does permit running TMCC, MTH and Post War on two of the main lines at the same time. Though not on the same block of course. Thank god I'm not into programing routes or switches I still like throwing them. Hey I found out the hard way to wire the switches to seperate from the track power.
But you did point out what I hope people do get and that is it is a better investment to go with either 100% TMCC or DCS if you even think you will want to grow the layout in the future. At the time I didn't see that and in the long run that will cost me.
Just to let you know that TMCC and DCS can be used on the same layout by adding the DCS to the TMCC, however you may have to route it thru the DCS unit with the adapter cable which has a connector that resembles a computer cord on each end.
And you thought that things can't get more expensive, just wait!!!
I have a Reading T1 steam locomotive(4-8-4 wheel arrangement, Pennsy T1 has a 4-4-4-4 wheel arrangement) with PS-2 sound system and am using DCS system with a Z1000 transformer. The T1 cost me $1000.00 new, the Z1000 was $90.00, the DCS system was $295.00 and that includes the handheld remote, the AIU was $90.00.
Don't have any TMCC equipped loco's and don't think that I will buy any.
I am using a post war 275 watt ZW, a 250 watt Z and a 190 watt KW from Lionel for my other trains.
You can't control a TPC through DCS because of software and hardware issues. The cable used to connect a TIU to a Command Base will not pass signals through the serial port. The DCS software will not address anything but a an ENGine.
Chuck,
Good point but I did not say that you could do that, I forgot that. What I was referring to is to hook up the TMCC to the DCS unit by the adapter cable, the TPC then becomes unneeded.
As far as I know to use both the TMCC and DCS systems together you need to use the DCS handheld remote.
Don't know enuff about TMCC to tell you what to do if you add DCS to it. Maybe Cheif Eagles can help you as he has both systems.
Does the TPC have it's own power supply, like a post war ZW? Or must you supply power to the TPC?
You have to supply power to the TPC. I'm not even going to try to say how to interface DSC. Well I did roll out my CW 80 tonight after getting the trolly line up and running. For some reason my SW 130 want to supply 100% full power even with the knolbs at zero.
I have never used DSC I might like it if I did. However I went through all the learning curves for TMCC and I just don't want to do that for DSC.
Did someone say evolution of track Power;
I started years ago-1948-with a Lionel 1033; added a TW in the late 50's; added a ZW in the 60's; moved to Florida: got into HO-added MRC; got into N-added something or another; got into z and added what came with the set; added an American Flyer circus train with a Marx transformer; got into G-added what came with that set.
Things really got bad when I got into TMCC; added a new ZW-4 180 watt bricks; put trains in the dining room-6 on 3 levels; 2 more ZW's and 6 more 180 watt bricks. Probably have gone overboard but the electric authority loves sending my bill every month.
Mel Hazen
Jacksonville, FL
Mel Hazen; Jax, FL Ride Amtrak. It's the only way to fly!!!
Renovo PRR wrote:...For some reason my SW 130 want to supply 100% full power even with the knolbs at zero.
...For some reason my SW 130 want to supply 100% full power even with the knolbs at zero.
If it's been a while, don't forget that one of the SW knobs works "backwards".
Rob
Wow do I feel pretty stupid today. I wasn’t paying attention it was a simple case of well you guessed it. BTW did you ever notice the knobs look like the Star Trek logo.
Renovo PRR wrote:...BTW did you ever notice the knobs look like the Star Trek logo.
...BTW did you ever notice the knobs look like the Star Trek logo.
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