Trains.com

Remote control with Postwar Lionel

3236 views
4 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    October 2005
  • From: Delaware
  • 75 posts
Remote control with Postwar Lionel
Posted by elvisp on Friday, December 30, 2005 8:27 AM
I apologize for asking the same question that may have been answered a hundred times in the last month. I own all toy trains (postwar, Standard and MPC) I also don't fully understand the abilities of modern TMCC or DCS.

I am building a layout featuring the above with mostly postwar accs. I may purchase a modern engine in the future but will mostly operate toy trains on this layout. I have a ZW and a KW to operate the trains. I recently saw a layout running Am. Flyer S and some Standard trains. The owner was using a Z400 w/ remote control for the trains.

My question is: 1) Can I operate my layout using remote control? If so, how?
2) Is there any benefit to adding TMCC or DCS if I am only
using post/prewar stuff?
  • Member since
    January 2005
  • From: New England
  • 6,241 posts
Posted by Jumijo on Friday, December 30, 2005 8:48 AM
Hey, Elvis,

I see you have a birthday coming up next Sunday, Jan. 8. TCB, Man!

Jim

Modeling the Baltimore waterfront in HO scale

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Friday, December 30, 2005 8:53 AM
Elvis,

Here's a link to basic TMCC operations for non command-equipped trains:

http://www.coilcouplers.com/tmc/noncom.html

- Lou
  • Member since
    September 2002
  • 548 posts
Posted by Chris F on Friday, December 30, 2005 10:45 AM
1) Yes. Here's what you'll need:

CAB-1 Remote Controller, 12868, to address the PowerMaster
PowerMaster, 24130, to control how much voltage goes to the track at up to 180W power
Power Adapter Cable, 12893, to connect your ZW or KW to PowerMaster

You will need one PowerMaster and one Power Adapter Cable for each loop or block of track (up to 10). Lionel also offers TPC300 and TPC400 controllers in lieu of the PowerMaster to control up to 400 watts, but you would also need a Command Base for these.

With the CAB-1, PM, and cable, you will have wireless walk-around throttle, direction, and whistle control.

Note: The TMCC and PowerMaster systems are intended to operate at up to 18 volts. Check your standard gauge locos to verify they don't need higher voltage to operate properly.

2) No

  • Member since
    December 2003
  • From: St Paul, MN
  • 6,218 posts
Posted by Big_Boy_4005 on Friday, December 30, 2005 11:22 AM
Everyone seems to be telling you how to do it, but nobody is telling you what it is.

Command Control is the ability to "talk to" locomotives and other devices individually. In practical terms it means that multiple engines equipt with receivers can be controlled separately on the same track.

Conventional engines like you have mentioned will need to have a way to regulate the track voltage. Lionel has the Powermaster for this function. It can be controlled by the Cab-1 remote. They could also be retrofitted with receivers to run in command mode.

Engines with receivers operating in command mode, need full constant voltage applied to the track. The speed control is accomplished by sending a signal to the receiver which controls the voltage going to the motor.

Modern locomotives also have a lot more functions that can be controlled using the command system.

Join our Community!

Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.

Search the Community

FREE EMAIL NEWSLETTER

Get the Classic Toy Trains newsletter delivered to your inbox twice a month