Well, since Lionel has pretty ironclad patents on the TMCC technology, I doubt anyone is going to be producing that base without a license from Lionel. All the 3rd party stuff you see for TMCC is licensed.
FWIW, I just bought a TMCC command base on eBay for $40, they're out there if you look.
Sounds like there is an oppotunity for someone like Z-Stuff to supply an equivalent to the Command Base. I don't really know what is inside, but I suspect it is just a frequency converter and/or amplifier.
Legacy has been out for about 3 or 4 years last fall Lionel said they weren't doing the old tmcc anymore and a lot that had it went wild buying what was left. so thats where you are either buy legacy or buy tmcc secondary market for about the same price now that everyone seems to want a back up for what they have
Life's hard, even harder if your stupid John Wayne
http://rtssite.shutterfly.com/
Thanks all for the info. I guess I never did understand the TMCC or Legacy systems, mostly because I had nothing that needed them. But it looks like I got into this too late. The Command Base 6-12911 just is not available from any of the online websites. A Google search turns up many hits, but on inquiry, they are all sold out. My LHS guy said that as soon as Lionel announced they were discontinuing TMCC, there was a run on existing stock, and he sold out quickly. I may be mistaken, but it looks like the replacement, which costs about $300 is not available until September. I am not interested in paying $300 just to get the couplers to work on the new engine, and I may need an additional "Bridge" thing. Who knows?
I am guessing that when the new one comes out there will be many people trying to dump their old TMCC command base on Ebay. Currently, due to the rarity, they are being sold at much more than original Lional List price. Guess I will wait.
You don't need a Powermaster with a TMCC locomotive, just the CAB1 and command base. You connect that directly to the outside rails, and run your train.
The Powermaster is for using the CAB1 to run conventional trains on a separate segment. Of course, you can also run the TMCC locomotive in conventional mode.
sounds about right to me
Just got a new engine. None of my other engines are equipped with TMCC. I run a postwar ZW through (2) Powermasters 6-24130, controlled by a CAB-1 Remote, 6-12868. In order to use the features of the new engine (Built in 2005) such as the couplers, do I need something other than the Command Base 6-12911?
Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.
Get the Classic Toy Trains newsletter delivered to your inbox twice a month