Another Newbie

[Anonymous]

I'm a 56 year old tyke who wants to start model railroading from scratch.
I have a 9'X5' pool table for a base using 3/8" plywood

Types of trains:
A Lionel 6-18004, Reading 4-6-2 Steam Loco (1989)
Magne Traction, Electronic Mighty sound of steam
Electronic whistle, 3 Rail O giage

Lionel 8210 Joshua L. Cowen 4-6-4 steam Loco (1982)
Magne Traction, Electronic Mighty Sound of steam
Electronic Whistle, 3 Rail O guage

Questions:

What is the best and most stable unsecured track for 3 rail on plywood?

Can I use Trainmaster Command (TMCC) to activate the older electronic Mighty Sound of Steam of the 1980's (or should I scrap it with newer Railsounds 4.0)?

Will I ge additional sounds using the TMCC system or do I have to make changes to the train sound hardware in the coal car and loco? Is there a better route going with a non-Lionel control and sound system?

And finally, what operation\al hardware (transformer etc) and power should I go with to run two trains at once on the same track? Any feedback would be much appreciated. Thanks, Digger.

[csxt30]

Hello & [#welcome] to the forum ! Can't answer everything, but the first thing to start checking on is your base for the track. Plywood alone will be pretty loud, so lots of guys put their track on foam, the 2" stuff, or homosote to deaden the sound. You can then hear your engine sounds better. Also if you retain the slate on the pool table, usually you have to figure a way to run wires under everything. Someone said the hollow type rail track , tube & Gargraves, is loudest, & a solid rail, maybe Atlas or MTH or K-line, forgot now, is quieter. I don't know about your sound system, but you might look into the TMCC & MTH sound systems. It may be what you want compared to what you have. Maybe you can see it demonstrated at a hobby shop near you, & pretty soon the train shows will start, where there's layouts in action. If you can, tell us what area you live in, too. Well, hope this helps a little, & there should be more info coming ! Thanks, John

[Anonymous]

Welcome Digger
Command Control is of course the ideal system to easily run two (or more) trains in the same power district (on same loop or track).
You mention TMCC and Railsounds 4.0 which is Lionel's Command Control system. To utilize Command, both of your engines would have to be retrofitted with TMCC/ RS 4.0 and you would need the Command Base and Cab 1 handheld Remote in addition to an AC transformer. The retrofit of both engines would cost,combined, about $320-50 plus about $100 for the Comm Base and Cab 1 and another $90 for a 180 watt PowerHouse transformer. (My 1992 Lionel Mikado was retrofitted with TMCC/RS 4.0 by TA Studios for about $180---you can do it yourself cheaper but i don't know what the kit costs today).

Briefly, the alternative to Command Control for running two trains on one track is to run Conventional (which your engines now are) and insulate the center rail for establishing separate "blocks" or power districts each powered by separate transformers or separate throttles on the same transformer for alternatively controlling the two engines. I am over simplyfing the system but this procedure is called "cab control" which is a longstanding and traditional method of "running two Conventional trains on the same track".

Transformers with two or more throttles are the old Lionel post war ZW at about $175 for a reconditioned unit. The MTH Z-4000 at about $325-375 and the "new" Lionel ZW at around $350-375( rough cost numbers).

[cnw1995]

Welcome, Digger! I hope you enjoy getting everything up and running. I'm looking forward to hearing how you work everything out - c'mon over to the Coffee pot thread and introduce yourself.

[Dr. John]

Hi Digger, and welcome to the forum!

Not much I can add to what has been said, but you will find a lot of people to help you with your questions and some good ideas along the way. I second Doug's invite to the coffee pot where we get together to shoot the breeze, complain about the weather and talk trains too. Join us and tell us a bit more about yourself!

[ChiefEagles]

[#welcome][#welcome][#welcome] As some have said, come over to the "Coffee Pot" and join in. [:)]

[tgovebaker]

Hi, and welcome.

As Leonard points out, if you want to run in command, you'll have to make some upgrades to your engines, but this is true irrespective of whether you select MTH DCC or Lionel TMCC. Each system has its partisans*. The sound quality in "Mighty Sound of Steam" era engines isn't bad, but newer digital systems will add more, including tower communications, bells, crew talk, etc. If you don't want to make the investment, which is not insignificant, then use the insulating pins and multiple transformers and you can run both trains simultaneously. It might not be as elegant as command, but it will save you a couple hundred dollars.

You can learn a lot more about specifics by doing a search of this forum and finding past threads on TMCC, and related subjects. Its a good place to start.

Since you're a newbie and you don't list where you're from, I should note that the Civil War/War of Northern Aggression hasn't officially ended here, but is merely in a period of extended ceasefire, so tread carefully. For us Westerners, we just roll our eyes and shrug.

Best,

Tom Baker

_________
* For a humorous time, head over to the OGR forum and post something like "TMCC is Awful" or "MTH Command Control is Terrible". Within seconds you will have a full-blown conflagration on your hands as the partisans come out of the woodwork. Frankly, yelling "I love Fidel Castro, and his beard" in a crowded Miami restaurant will generate less of melee.

[eZAK]

[#welcome]Digger,

What is the best and most stable unsecured track for 3 rail on plywood?
I would say Lionel's 'Fastrack'

Can I use Trainmaster Command (TMCC) to activate the older electronic Mighty Sound of Steam of the 1980's (or should I scrap it with newer Railsounds 4.0)?
YES you can! TMCC can run coventional & command engines from various companies. If you wish you can upgrade your engines to TMCC & RS-4.0.
Check here; http://www.tastudios.com/

Will I get additional sounds using the TMCC system or do I have to make changes to the train sound hardware in the coal car and loco?
You would have to upgade anything that you want the newer in

Is there a better route going with a non-Lionel control and sound system?
This is a matter of opion! I'd say NO! There is an added cost and a compatability issue. Some here though opt for having both systems.

And finally, what operational hardware (transformer etc) and power should I go with to run two trains at once on the same track?
Check out the 2 major systems at their web sites; http://www.lionel.com/ and http://www.mth-railking.com/. Also see them in action at your local train shop.

[lionelsoni]

If you decide to go "conventional", consider this:

Although it is very commonly done, running a train from a block powered by one transformer to a block powered by another is a little problematical. If the transformer voltages are not closely matched during the transition, a heavy fault current can flow between the transformers, through the wheels and pickups of your train, possibly damaging them. Using two identical transformers makes it easier to match the voltages and reduces this risk.

I would recommend another approach, however: Connect the outside rails together, but divide the center rail into as many sections or blocks as you think might be useful. Get a single-pole-double-throw (SPDT) switch for each block and connect its common to the center rail of the block. Connect the other switch terminals to the two transformers. This way, each switch selects which transformer will power the block that it is associated with. If you use center-off switches, which are easy to find, you will also have the option of shutting each block off completely. With careful selection of the blocks to suit your layout, you can get very flexible operation.

[railfanespee4449]

Hi. Your J L C hudson was mentioned in a recent CTT! Neat!
As for the track, I say Fastrack
P S. Guys, my internet is down. I'm posting this at my local Radio Shack