TMCC late updated?

[Anonymous]

I just saw the dvd on command control by OGR. They are saying that TMCC is over eight years old. Has it not been significantly updated since then? (hardware or software)

[Anonymous]

The only update I've heard of recently is to RailSounds 5.0. There have been rumors steming from last October's York about an upgrade to TMCC in the pike, but there have been posts on the OGR forum stating that no upgrades are imminent.

Time will tell.

Tony

[ben10ben]

Yes and no.

The external TMCC components, i.e. command base, CAB-1, powermaster, etc. have gone unchanged for 10 years now in most instances(powermaster, CAB-1, and 135 watt PH were introduced in 1994), but new components have been introduced(the IC controls line).

Back in 1995, when command control engines made their first appearance, all engines were equipped with an LCRU or LCRX, and an RS 2.5 board if sound equipped. The LCRU was basically a totally self-contained command receiver and motor driver for AC motors only. The LCRX was the same thing, only it lacked a motor driver and was used in dummies. The RS 2.5 board was also totally self-contained, and lacked the plug-in cards characteristic of later RS versions.

In 1997, I think, Lionel equipped a few select engines with the LCRU2, which was an updated LCRU that incorporated additional features(i.e. programing done through the CAB-1 keypad rather than wires on the board).

The next year, 1998, Lionel overhauled all TMCC components. The LCRU was replaced by 3 separate boards. The R2LC(still in use today) is a receiver card that attaches to a separate motherboard through a 24 pin connection. This motherboard then attaches to the lights, smoke unit, RS system, and a 3rd board known as the DCDR or ACDR. The AC/DCDR are motor driver circuits that will control either an AC(pullmor) motor, or DC(can) motor. The RS system was modified to two separate cards, a card that contains all the audio, and a card to supply power to the audio card and speaker. These are attached to each other through 24 pin connectors and a simple motherboard. The whole RS system only requires a 1 wire connection to the R2LC, or the RS motherboard can be physically combined with the main motherboard.

In 2001, Lionel introduced a new motor driver circuit as a replacement for the DCDR. This new board is known as the DCDRS, and integrates speed control circuitry(Odyssey). The DCDR still sees some use, mainly by K-line and low-end Lionel TMCC engines, but the DCDRS is found in most engines.

[Anonymous]

bennie,
What reference book have you been reading??????????[%-)]

pax[:-^]

[ben10ben]

Joe,
It's called the open-up-your-engines-and-take-a-look-as-well-as-read-the-OGR-forum book.

[Anonymous]

Please credit your sources and don't represent others work as your own. It can be considered plagiarism if you don't.

pax[:O]

[ben10ben]

Joe, where did I call what I posted here my own work? I have collected it from a variety of sources, too numerous to mention(as well as sources that I don't recall), as well as gathered much of it myself from many hours spent inside the shell of the locomotives I own.

[Anonymous]

You always pass off what you write as your own material. We know better. Just credit your sources and you'll be cool. We don't need any plagiarism on this forum or OGR

pax[C):-)]

[Anonymous]

Ben, Don't pay him any attention. It's usually those that don't know anything that are critical of those who do know.[;)]

Tony

[ben10ben]

Tony, as hard as I try, I find it rather difficult at times(such as in this thread).

Thanks, though.

[eZAK]

Thanks for the info Ben

pax, Like you never posted something someone else did, said or wrote about.
Paa-lease! [:P] No where in Ben's post does he claim he is the author! He also did not sign his post!

[macdannyk1]

Yes, thanks for the info, Ben. And ignore Joe-Sandy-Hans-Daniel; obviously he's in a crabby mood...

[Pennvalley]

Wouldn't the tpc 300, 400's be an improvement? [2c]

[macdannyk1]

The TPC is an improvement over Lionel's powermasters, but still don't replace the command base.

[Anonymous]

Ben,

That was outstanding information. Very concise and very interesting!

[JFermani]

Ben is correct iin that a lot of updates Lionel has done have occured in the electronics inside the locomotives. The cab1 has remained unchanged and the way Lionel communicates to the locs and accessories also has not changed (one way communication). One thing Lionel has done is incorporate the TMCC into a lot of their equipment over the past 10 years. We now have TMCC cars, accessories, and transformers, as well as engines.

What people have been asking for recently is a new remote control with a visual display and no more big antennae. Lionel has stated that they are working on updates but will not give any timeframe as to when something may be released. It could be next week , it could be two years. Overall its a good simply system which does its job well. I've been using it since 1997 and have not had any problems. Lionel is definiitly maximizing what the system can do without a revamp and to me thats good news. I don't want a complicated system..

Joe

[lionel2341]

I have disagreed with Ben a few times, However, He is correct in his informative post.[:)]

Ernie

[butleryard]

Hopefully Lionel learned a lesson from MTH and they are not rushing Cab 2 or any further TMCC updates until it is throughly tested, retested and tested some more.
MTH rushed DCS out into the market way to fast. One deadline then the next . And they let the consumer do all their testing.

LIONEL TAKE YOUR TIME AND GIVE US A GOOD -WELL TESTED PRODUCT!