Lionel Part No. 6-14194, TMCC TPC Cable Set

[Buckeye Riveter]

If you look on page 151 of the new Lionel Catalog, you will see in the upper right hand corner a TMCC TPC Cable Set. The description reveals that this part is used to connect two parallel PowerHouse transformers to the TPC 300 or TPC 400. (I believe that this part is not new, but I saw it at the local train store for the first time today.)

Has anyone used this part to connect two PowerHouse transformers to either of the TPCs and if so how is it working? It seems such a simple way to put more power to the track, but then again simple many times is fleeting in this hobby.

[Blueberryhill RR]

Well????????????

[ChiefEagles]

Guess not?????????

[GregM]

Yes, I have used this part to connect two 135 watt powerhouse units to a TPC 3000 (bought these before Lionel bought out IC Controls) You can connect either two 180 watt powerhouses or three 135 watt powerhouses to a TPC 400. The TPC 400 will pass up to 400 watts of power to the track. A TPC 300 is only good for 300 watts to the track. Great way to have sufficient power for a multi engine lighted passenger train. I have all of the PWC CP set. This set has two dual motored F3 units, two Railsounds units and nine lighted passenger cars including a TMCC diner car. Need lots of power to run all of it at one time.

Corrected typos.

[GregM]

When I wanted to connect a powerhouse to the second TPC 3000, I went to Radio Shack and bought a couple PC connecters and made my own version of the cable, I don't remember the part number for the pieces I bought but it was a four wire connector because they didn't have one with the special shape. Worked just fine.

[tmcc man]

I have the 400, and only have the one 180 watt supply, and use the cables for it.

[Buckeye Riveter]

Greg, Thanks for the info.

I'm currently enlarging the layout, and I may need to add another 180w brick. A 180w brick does a good job of keeping two trains running at the same time. All of my accessories are ran from another power source.