Train Control Power vs Function

[Anonymous]

I have a layout that I put up each Christmas. This year I have upgraded my locos, 2 lionel with latest bells and whistles and 1 MTH, Premier with proto sound v2.0. I have got 2 different bits of advise from 2 local hobby shops on how to take advantage of all thier capabilities.
Both say I need the lionel trainmaster command set, p/n 6-12969.
One shop says that I can use my prewar ZW, the lesser voltage of the 2, with the Lionel TMCC track power controler,. p/n 6-14179 ( he does advise to replace the old ZW with a new one).
The other guy says all I need is the new ZW & powerhouse power supply set, p/n 6-32930. He claims I should be able to work all the features on my MTH engine but he is not sure.
Since we are talking some $ here I need some advise on which would best suit my needs.

[Anonymous]

I have a layout that I put up each Christmas. This year I have upgraded my locos, 2 lionel with latest bells and whistles and 1 MTH, Premier with proto sound v2.0. I have got 2 different bits of advise from 2 local hobby shops on how to take advantage of all thier capabilities.
Both say I need the lionel trainmaster command set, p/n 6-12969.
One shop says that I can use my prewar ZW, the lesser voltage of the 2, with the Lionel TMCC track power controler,. p/n 6-14179 ( he does advise to replace the old ZW with a new one).
The other guy says all I need is the new ZW & powerhouse power supply set, p/n 6-32930. He claims I should be able to work all the features on my MTH engine but he is not sure.
Since we are talking some $ here I need some advise on which would best suit my needs.

[Roger Bielen]

If you intend to run in a TMCC environ you will only be able to run the MTH unit in conventional control. For this your ZW, assuming it's in good condition, is a satisfactory power source. To function with TMCC you'll need a command base and a CAB-1, this will let you run TMCC with the CAB-1 and MTH conventional with the transformer alone. If you want to also use the CAB-1 when running conventional you'll need a Powermaster, allows changing from command to conventional, or a TPC. I don't use any MTH but I believe the TPC also enable running MTH.

The other option is to use MTH's DCS control system which enables running TMCC'

There's been much discussion about this on another forum that you might want to check, WWW.ogaugerr.com, and then go over to their forum, there are individual sections on TMCC and DCS where this topic has been gone over in much detail.

[Roger Bielen]

If you intend to run in a TMCC environ you will only be able to run the MTH unit in conventional control. For this your ZW, assuming it's in good condition, is a satisfactory power source. To function with TMCC you'll need a command base and a CAB-1, this will let you run TMCC with the CAB-1 and MTH conventional with the transformer alone. If you want to also use the CAB-1 when running conventional you'll need a Powermaster, allows changing from command to conventional, or a TPC. I don't use any MTH but I believe the TPC also enable running MTH.

The other option is to use MTH's DCS control system which enables running TMCC'

There's been much discussion about this on another forum that you might want to check, WWW.ogaugerr.com, and then go over to their forum, there are individual sections on TMCC and DCS where this topic has been gone over in much detail.

[Anonymous]

My understanding is:

1) If you want to run any TMCC locomotives using command control, you need a CAB-1 & a command base, no matter what power supply you use.

2) Likewise, if you want to run a Protosounds 2.0 locomotive using command control, you need to buy the MTH DCS system.

3) If all you want to do is run everything in conventional mode, your old ZW will work fine.

If you're going to run your TMCC stuff with the MTH engine on a TMCC layout, your old ZW should be fine. You won't be able to control the speed of the MTH locomotive with the CAB-1 unless you buy a TPC & connect one of the ZW's outputs to that.

The new ZW has the equivalent of 4 of Lionel's PowerMasters in it, but you still need a command base if you're going to run straight TMCC engines. The new ZW will control MTH engines in response to commands from a CAB-1, but you still have to have a command base connected to your layout for this to work.

The other fillip is that if you buy both a TMCC command base & the MTH DCS system, you can control everything you own from the DCS remote. And you can still use your old ZW to power everything (until it runs out of power for the layout!)

Tony

[Anonymous]

My understanding is:

1) If you want to run any TMCC locomotives using command control, you need a CAB-1 & a command base, no matter what power supply you use.

2) Likewise, if you want to run a Protosounds 2.0 locomotive using command control, you need to buy the MTH DCS system.

3) If all you want to do is run everything in conventional mode, your old ZW will work fine.

If you're going to run your TMCC stuff with the MTH engine on a TMCC layout, your old ZW should be fine. You won't be able to control the speed of the MTH locomotive with the CAB-1 unless you buy a TPC & connect one of the ZW's outputs to that.

The new ZW has the equivalent of 4 of Lionel's PowerMasters in it, but you still need a command base if you're going to run straight TMCC engines. The new ZW will control MTH engines in response to commands from a CAB-1, but you still have to have a command base connected to your layout for this to work.

The other fillip is that if you buy both a TMCC command base & the MTH DCS system, you can control everything you own from the DCS remote. And you can still use your old ZW to power everything (until it runs out of power for the layout!)

Tony