Lionel and MTH compatibility question

[dbaker48]

How exciting this has been!! We are just getting into the hobby , we got for Christmas a new Cab Forward and the Cab Control. The only problem we had was when we built a 72" diameter train board with the Fasttrack, and found we needed to stretch the diameter to 77" to actually accomodate the track. But, we learned and laughed at our silly error. We now know how to use layout stretchers. A good first question.

Our aspirations are set on getting a "Big Boy" we noticed that MTH is coming out with on in April 2006. Primary question is, Are the MTH engines compatible with Lionel TMCC ? Is it a simple matter of assigning an ID #, and being able to utilize all the features of both? Or, do we need to have both control systems? Sorry to be so wordy, but am really excited about all this. Our ultimate goal is to have the two engines on the same layout.

Thanks for any thoughts!!!!

Don Baker

[ben10ben]

The short answer is no, not in the sense you're talking about

The long answer is sort of.

Lionel TMCC will not directly control MTH PS-2 engines in command control. For that, you need MTH's DCS system.

What you can do is buy a Lionel TPC(Track Power Controller) which will allow you to run MTH engines strictly in conventional mode through TMCC. The TPC will allow you to control certain key MTH features, like coupler opening, though single button presses as you would with a TMCC engine.

To get full control, though, of an MTH engine, you will need their DCS starter set. By using the correct MTH cable and your Lionel command base, you can also control TMCC engines through the DCS remote.

Lionel released a Big Boy several years ago with TMCC. If you really want one, and don't want to buy the MTH system, you might check Ebay or trainshows to see if you can find one. It will probably less expensive than the new MTH, although it won't be as detailed.