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TMCC TPC 400

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  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Vicksburg, Michigan
  • 2,303 posts
Posted by Andrew Falconer on Wednesday, August 29, 2007 1:26 AM

The Track Power Controllers are more reliable than the PowerMasters.

The only catch is that they have a default setting for Command Mode and you must use the Command Base. If you derail in conventional mode, reset to conventional immediately.

The Command Base recives radio signals better than the PowerMasters.

PowerMasters have to be positioned very carefully to get the full radio signal.

Andrew

Andrew

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  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Monday, August 27, 2007 9:58 PM

I like the 400 because I can handle more power if I want to. In addition just like it’s little brother it does a real nice job with the MTH engines. It is very easy to program and easy to hide on the layout. My only complaint is that it is expensive at least I think it is.

I have two 180 bricks on my 400 and I plan on adding at least another TPC 400. The TPC does a great job running the modern Lionel trains or even the post war trains. While you have to operate MTH trains in conventional I can’t tell the difference after all the Cab 1 does all the work.

 

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Plymouth, MI
  • 1,615 posts
Posted by chuck on Monday, August 27, 2007 6:42 PM
I own TPC 300's and love them.  To me, they are the best toy train controller available.  The only difference between a 300 and a 400 is the wattage.  You have 80/200/400 speed steps, very low starting voltages, programmable as either a TR or an ENG.  Macro buttons to control PS-1 and PS-2 loco's (in conventional mode).  The PowerMaster's only advantage is that it can be controlled directly by a CAB-1 (it predates the rest of the TMCC system).  PM has 32 power steps, higher starting voltage, addressable only as a TR, 180 watts top power.
When everything else fails, play dead
  • Member since
    February 2004
  • From: Rolesville, NC
  • 15,416 posts
Posted by ChiefEagles on Monday, August 27, 2007 6:11 PM
I'm running two TPC's off of PW ZW's.  I love them.  I use one for each mainline and run multi PW engines with CAB1.

 God bless TCA 05-58541   Benefactor Member of the NRA,  Member of the American Legion,   Retired Boss Hog of Roseyville Laugh,   KC&D QualifiedCowboy       

              

  • Member since
    January 2007
  • From: Southern MD
  • 315 posts
Posted by USNRol on Monday, August 27, 2007 5:59 PM

in what regard? Price? wattage capability?  I have a powermaster I run off a 150W PW V model.  It's awesome!  Remote controlled Post war trains are fun!!

Roland

  • Member since
    September 2004
  • From: SONOMA CALIFORNIA
  • 79 posts
TMCC TPC 400
Posted by SD-40T-2 on Monday, August 27, 2007 5:35 PM

is the TMCC TPC 400 better then the lionel powermaster and does the tmcc tpc work like the powermaster ????

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