Control Systems Compatability

[arnoldafl]

I would like information to understand the compatibility of the different command
systems with the various makes of equipment. I currently run standard
American Flyer made by Gilbert and Lionel. I have added an American Models
F and may add the Lionel steam engine with TMCC and Railsounds when
available. American Models has their own sound controller but when I
asked about compatibility they would only say their controller works best
with their equipment. It didn't sound like a Railsounds controller would work since
there was a warning in the American Models literature about applying DC
voltage to the tracks. Each manufacturer, whether it's O or S, seems to have
there own control system like Lionel's Railsounds, Protosounds, etc. I
have read where TMCC can control other manufacturer's engines to different
degrees. But then there is Lionel's horn and bell which can be controlled
by a button. What control systems are compatible with which manufacturer's
trains?

[arnoldafl]

I would like information to understand the compatibility of the different command
systems with the various makes of equipment. I currently run standard
American Flyer made by Gilbert and Lionel. I have added an American Models
F and may add the Lionel steam engine with TMCC and Railsounds when
available. American Models has their own sound controller but when I
asked about compatibility they would only say their controller works best
with their equipment. It didn't sound like a Railsounds controller would work since
there was a warning in the American Models literature about applying DC
voltage to the tracks. Each manufacturer, whether it's O or S, seems to have
there own control system like Lionel's Railsounds, Protosounds, etc. I
have read where TMCC can control other manufacturer's engines to different
degrees. But then there is Lionel's horn and bell which can be controlled
by a button. What control systems are compatible with which manufacturer's
trains?

[lionelsoni]

Neil Besougloff had an article in the May, 2002, CTT about TMCC, with some information about compatibility issues. It's a jungle out there.

Bob Nelson

[lionelsoni]

Neil Besougloff had an article in the May, 2002, CTT about TMCC, with some information about compatibility issues. It's a jungle out there.

Bob Nelson

[Anonymous]

Hi,

He's a quick rundown on the control systems.

There are two off-the-shelf command control systems for toy trains, Lionel's TMCC and MTH's DCS. TMCC will work fine on 2-rail Flyer track. DCS probably would be OK, too, but I don't know of anyone out there using DCS with converted 2-rail trains, (MTH doesn't make any itself), so the point is moot at present.

Both control systems are designed to operate their respective TMCC and DCS equipped locomotives. Without the TMCC or DCS proper receiver, locomotives won't operate in command control mode.

Lionel has licensed the use of TMCC, so TMCC can also be found in locomotives from Atlas O, K-Line, Weaver, and 3rd Rail, which is how Lionel's system can run its competitor's locomotives.

MTH has not licensed DCS. However, with an "adaptor" cable from the MTH signal box to a Lionel TMCC signal box, you can operator TMCC locomotives with the DCS hand-held controller. (This does not work the other way around).

Both TMCC and DCS can operate in conventional mode as well, where they simply raise and lower track voltage like the handle on an old transformer. This is how you can run prewar, postwar, and modern AC locomotives that lack receivers. However, you can't control multiple non-receiver locomotives independently of each other as you can with receiver-equipped locomotives.

S-Helper Service locomotives (and some early Atlas O locomotives) come with Dallee Electronic's LocoMatic, which is sort of an in-line horn, whistle, lighting, speed, and direction controller. A friend of mine has a LocoMatic control box on his TMCC and DCS layout and I believe he has no inteference problems.

There are also several types of horn/whistle activators, which aren't really "control" boxes, but simply auxilliary devices to trigger a locomotive's whistle/horn or ring its bell.

Your American Models horn button is one of those devices. There also is a RailSounds horn/whistle/bell button box (this is not TMCC, it is just a conventional control only sound activator box). The RailSounds button box sends DC to the rails overtop the train power AC to blow a horn. If the DC polarity is reversed, instead of a horn you'll hear a bell (as long as the locomotive has a bell sound). K-Line and some of the independent toy train electronic manufacturers also sell horn/whistle/bell boxes. Generally the same brand box as the locomotive works best. IHowever, I don't know of any combinations that would be harmful to a locomotive or a controller. At worst, brand A's box would simply not operate brand B's horn/whistle.

Hope this helps.

Sincerely,
Neil Besougloff
editor, Classic Toy Trains

[Anonymous]

Hi,

He's a quick rundown on the control systems.

There are two off-the-shelf command control systems for toy trains, Lionel's TMCC and MTH's DCS. TMCC will work fine on 2-rail Flyer track. DCS probably would be OK, too, but I don't know of anyone out there using DCS with converted 2-rail trains, (MTH doesn't make any itself), so the point is moot at present.

Both control systems are designed to operate their respective TMCC and DCS equipped locomotives. Without the TMCC or DCS proper receiver, locomotives won't operate in command control mode.

Lionel has licensed the use of TMCC, so TMCC can also be found in locomotives from Atlas O, K-Line, Weaver, and 3rd Rail, which is how Lionel's system can run its competitor's locomotives.

MTH has not licensed DCS. However, with an "adaptor" cable from the MTH signal box to a Lionel TMCC signal box, you can operator TMCC locomotives with the DCS hand-held controller. (This does not work the other way around).

Both TMCC and DCS can operate in conventional mode as well, where they simply raise and lower track voltage like the handle on an old transformer. This is how you can run prewar, postwar, and modern AC locomotives that lack receivers. However, you can't control multiple non-receiver locomotives independently of each other as you can with receiver-equipped locomotives.

S-Helper Service locomotives (and some early Atlas O locomotives) come with Dallee Electronic's LocoMatic, which is sort of an in-line horn, whistle, lighting, speed, and direction controller. A friend of mine has a LocoMatic control box on his TMCC and DCS layout and I believe he has no inteference problems.

There are also several types of horn/whistle activators, which aren't really "control" boxes, but simply auxilliary devices to trigger a locomotive's whistle/horn or ring its bell.

Your American Models horn button is one of those devices. There also is a RailSounds horn/whistle/bell button box (this is not TMCC, it is just a conventional control only sound activator box). The RailSounds button box sends DC to the rails overtop the train power AC to blow a horn. If the DC polarity is reversed, instead of a horn you'll hear a bell (as long as the locomotive has a bell sound). K-Line and some of the independent toy train electronic manufacturers also sell horn/whistle/bell boxes. Generally the same brand box as the locomotive works best. IHowever, I don't know of any combinations that would be harmful to a locomotive or a controller. At worst, brand A's box would simply not operate brand B's horn/whistle.

Hope this helps.

Sincerely,
Neil Besougloff
editor, Classic Toy Trains