TMCC Developments

[nblum]

A friend of mine on AOL who also posts here sometimes, and has a long term interest in computers and electronic design is interested in starting up a company to further TMCC developments. He offers the following thoughts and plans for discussion and debate, and would appreciate input from the assembled trainheads here on OGRR.
"Well guys, I hinted at it before, but development of TrainCommander II (copyright 2004) should be going forward. This system will incorporate about everything folks said was a shortcoming in TMCC. It will be 100% backwards compatible with your existing equipment, but to access the new features, you will need at a minimum a new CommandBase (TM Lionel) (called TrainCommander II (copyright 2004)) with a digital display, the new remote, and a set of upgrade boards for any piece of equipment you wi***o upgrade. One of the new features will be memory in the command base that will allow a user to back pedal through their last 10 selections with a scroll button. Picture a layout with 4 trains running, and switches and accessories in use. Rather than having to enter engine 3 aux 1 (enable keypad) to get to the engine you were running 3 engines ago, pressing the scroll button 3 times will get you the engine, switch, or accessory with the exact same setting you left the device at. These features will/are (be) patent pending. There will be many new features on the remote control to simplify your train running, and increase the feature set available to you. The control knob will let you know you are turning it. Sounds in the engines will be improved, more like MTH. A long as we aren't violating any MTH patents, talking through your engine, and your station house will become a reality. If you elect to go with the new hand held and a TrainCommander 2 command base, your antenna may go away, as the new frequency might be in the 2.4 Ghz band. This depends on if we can fit two transmitters in the remote. If not, the frequency will stay in the 27 Mhz band, and remain fully compatible with Lionel's products. (either way the remote would be fully compatible.) Lionels existing remote will be able to access all the features in the new system currently available from TMCC. With fancy button pressing, I will also try to make the existing remote control access newer features, (picture some of the stuff out now like aux2, button 4 boost etc.) although the new remote will be single button press for the most part. Better more stable and unique speed control may also be a enhancement, but not the first thing on the list. I also feel two way communication is essential for any new train control system, if that hints at anything.

I am funding all development, including all plastic tooling for new remotes and command bases. This is an expensive proposition for me, but I hope to beat Lionel to the market by 6 months! I just hope I can finance through to completion! The handheld will be orange with blue buttons unless market research says otherwise! Maybe I will make it half orange, and half purple, as I have no beef with any manufacturer. I also have never embarked on such an ambitious project, with uncertain costs all self-funded. Then there is my new track system which some of you saw prototypes of too! That is taking a back seat until TrainCommander has working prototypes, and I get the right Korean vendor making the track. I am fortunate to have 2 Korean linguists available to me.

I do NOT want to undertake this project, but the folks at Lionel don't want help with TMCC II, don't want any part of me helping them out on TMCC II. All the TMCC faithful DESERVE an updated system, that is not funded at the whim of Wellsprings. Lionel could have my new system in place before their's, but don't even want to discuss it. I suspect that several manufacturers may jump on the bandwagon when they see the cost of new engine hardware, and the very rich feature set. Talks have been initiated, but understandably so they need to see a working system before any commitments COULD take place. So in short, TMCC II through TrainCommander II (copyright) may bridge the growing gap between a great DCS system and 1995 designed TMCC!

I hope I am not posting a dream I had - HUGE ! Maybe it is a nightmare ! I think I had a meeting with a development team ALL FEEDBACK WELCOMED!"

[Anonymous]

I'll weigh in. Please take this in the sprit in which it is intended and know that I wish you and your friend all the best.

I will never buy anything that isn't made by a large manufacturer (Lionel, MTH, K-Line, Weaver, Williams, AtlasO, Marx?) for my command control. I never purchased any of the items that IC Controls made UNTIL they were bought out and manufacturered by Lionel. I am currently looking at adding sections of my layout that use DCS from MTH as well. Call me nuts, that is your right, but my thought is that if another companies' system screws up one or more of my $1,200 engines, I have no warranty or recourse because I was using products that were not licensed by one of the BIGGIES.

Also, I don't really like how MTH has made things blurred with TMCC and tried to top them rather than everything all working together. Hopefully if this system does see production, the biggies will pick up the features.

Good luck to you guys!

[Big_Boy_4005]

If I wanted DCS I would buy DCS. I have no use for any of the features described, and 2 way communucation means nothing to me. I currently use the 2.4 Ghz band for TV camera transmission, how do I know this system won't conflict with other devices? If I was going to spend money to upgrade anything, I would upgrade non TMCC engines to TMCC. How many people are even in the TMCC market anyway? I am perfectly happy with TMCC just the way it is!!! As for track, I think that may be an even bigger waste of time and money.

[Anonymous]

TMCC hasn't "upgraded" because for the past decade they haven't needed to.

With all the so-called pressure to leap-frog MTH, Surprisingly DCS hasn't scared Lionel. We dont need a third (or forth) non-compatable system.

If you want to be the Linus of command control then more power to ya! Competition is what makes this country great. That and our prison guards!

Alan