Trains.com

Which command control is better in vintage Lionel f3s

1391 views
5 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    February 2018
  • 37 posts
Which command control is better in vintage Lionel f3s
Posted by SteamPowered3251 on Thursday, August 16, 2018 7:52 PM

I have a vintage Lionel f3 that has a pretty bad motor ( so bad to the point it has to be lubricated and then a couple minutes later you have to lubricate it again) and I am planning on fixing it and making work better than it ever has. I also was planning on installing command control and I wasn't sure what would work better between dcs or tmcc because of its design. What should I use?

  • Member since
    April 2005
  • From: South Carolina
  • 9,713 posts
Posted by rtraincollector on Thursday, August 16, 2018 9:12 PM

First let me be honest and state I'm a TMCC person. With that said thou, which do you have? if both which do you like better. As stated to me It would be TMCC without a doubt. You will hear you have more obtions with DCs but to me I think you can get all those options thru TMCC. I have heard from those who have both that TMCC is more reliable. How true, probably depends on how you have it all wired up. The bottom line is if you have both, which you prefer. If you only have one or the other then it's up to you. If you have niether, look into the cost of getting the system to get you going. I think in the long run if you get a legacyL would be the cheapest. Legacy a little more. Not sure of the total cost to get DCS system up and running completely. But believe from what I have heard it is actually a little more than just legacy system. Now also to be honest I know there are some TMCC systems out there. Not sure I would trust them as there about 10 years old or older. Not saying they won't work but how long will they is the questions. Thats why I suggest Legacy L (lite) or the legacy system.

Life's hard, even harder if your stupid  John Wayne

http://rtssite.shutterfly.com/

  • Member since
    April 2005
  • From: South Carolina
  • 9,713 posts
Posted by rtraincollector on Thursday, August 16, 2018 9:23 PM

also for the engine you might want to try some labels lubercants or red and sticky as they will last longer than regular oils will

Life's hard, even harder if your stupid  John Wayne

http://rtssite.shutterfly.com/

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Hightstown, NJ
  • 2,886 posts
Posted by anjdevil2 on Friday, August 17, 2018 10:44 AM

To your point, I'd rather you use TMCC as Command Control as DCS is cumbersome, to say the least.  This is my experience talking.  I have a long term project with a 2026, I am getting fan smoke, TMCC and Railsounds installed.  My Train Doctor is doing the upgrade, so I'm patient and not in a rush, but once it's done, it'll be the only 2026 with TMCC.  DCS NEVER came into the conversation, as TMCC is easier and more user friendly.  Again, MY experience.

I am the monster in your head...And I thought you'd learn by now, It seems you haven't yet.
I am the venom in your skin  --- Breaking Benjamin


  • Member since
    April 2005
  • From: South Carolina
  • 9,713 posts
Posted by rtraincollector on Sunday, August 19, 2018 10:13 AM

I was just over on OGR forum and the first 5 post where problems one way or another with problems with proto sound. 

Life's hard, even harder if your stupid  John Wayne

http://rtssite.shutterfly.com/

  • Member since
    February 2018
  • 37 posts
Posted by SteamPowered3251 on Sunday, August 26, 2018 7:47 AM

I use label lubricants. I think I'm going to try tmcc seeing between the two, everyone says that its more reliable. To me, reliability is everything to me. 

Join our Community!

Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.

Search the Community

FREE EMAIL NEWSLETTER

Get the Classic Toy Trains newsletter delivered to your inbox twice a month