Toy train operating and collecting

Im ready to take the plunge into TMCC and I have several million questions, but I'll only ask a few.  I currently have about 350 square feet for my layout It is all O gague with sorry to say 031 curved track and I have 12 pair of 022 switches.  Most of my rolling stock is from the 40's and 50's with only one new Williams engine and lot's of mechanical accessories  I know I would have a bigger selection of engines if I would move up to 54" or 72" curved track, but I really don't want to tear it all down and start over at my age.

Therefore, this begs the question, do I go Lionel or MTH or something else and if I'm staying with my current track set up which engine should I get first?  I saw a Lionel Bershire for about $300. It has TMC and railsounds.  I think the kids and myself would get a kick out of DynaChuff.Any suggestions that you can give would be greatly appreciated.

Ed, TMCC is great!! but pricey!! I have one atlas GP9 w/tmcc and I love it, I also have all 6 of my Gargaves 042 switches controlled by tmcc and thats great! but i'm having a hard time finding money for tmcc engine's, we've had the polar express now 3 yrs and i have been wanting to send it to TAS for upgrade  but after buying a car here or there and scenery stuff it has not happened! So if you have lots of money i say do it ! TMCC sounds and runs great! (lucklily I havent had to send my engine in yet for repair) Thats just my opinon. Lots of luck!

I would go with TMCC if I was you. You can get TMCC Classic for about $120, and the new Legacy System for $300. Most new people to TMCC would probably want to go with the older version. It comes with a remote and command base. If you currently dont have any Command engines and want to run non command, you will need a TPC 300 or 400 for each block of track you have. They pretty much act like a remote control transformer. The TPC gets power for you transformer, and the remote tells it how much power to add to the track. If you run just command engines you will only need the command base and remote.

Other could add to this, as well as refer you to DCS, which I dont have experience with.

 

Grayson

There are classic TMCC components that will allow you to control your conventional equipment, probably with minimal re-wiring.  These devices would allow you to get remote throttle capability as well as layout control and depending on the power control devices you select, better performamce from some of your older loco's than you ever thought would be possible.  You can add command control engines as you acquire them.

I run both TMCC and DCS.  Do not discount MTH's DCS system.  While the initial cost is higher ($300.00), you can control all of your conventional engines without adding any additional accessories.  Almost every locomotive MTH sells includes a DCS chip.  This would allow you to acquire command engines starting at a more economical price point.  You can also add an additional device (AIU) to run your switches.  Although each AIU can only operate 10 switches.

Since I only operate command engines I have no experience running engines in conventional mode.  Many on these boards have indicated that running conventional engines works better with TMCC than DCS.  In addition, while setting up DCS is easy (relative to TMCC + all of the accessories you will need), your layout's existing wiring may not be the most conducive to running DCS.  DCS sends its signal through the track (TMCC operates by RF) and some wiring configurations can confound the DCS signal.

In any event, I would advise that you go to your local hobby store and demo both systems and see which one appeals to you.  You may also want to look at some recent Lionel and MTH catalogs to see which engines you would like to get as those choices may also sway your decision.

For me, while I like both systems, I prefer DCS.  However, most others would agree that there are things we all like/dislike with each system.  Neither one is perfect but they are both a blast to play with.

Good luck with your decision, keep us posted.

Regards,

John

I was just going over the Lionel 2008 catalogue and was looking at power sources for TMCC. Currently, I have a Z, ZW and LW powering up my system. Will I need a different power source or something in additon?  I understood the parts about remotes, switches and controlling conventional engines.  I guess I'm leaning towards the Legacy system.  Really like all those bells and whistles I'm a little late getting into the game so I like the expression, "eat dessert first, life is short." 

Thanks

chuck wrote:

There are classic TMCC components that will allow you to control your conventional equipment, probably with minimal re-wiring.  These devices would allow you to get remote throttle capability as well as layout control and depending on the power control devices you select, better performamce from some of your older loco's than you ever thought would be possible.  You can add command control engines as you acquire them.

I started out with DCS.  The conventionals ran so bad I used the transformer handles to run them instead of the DCS remote.  I got TMCC and then added TCP's [since I use post war ZW's] to run conventionals.  Outstanding operation. 

"I was just going over the Lionel 2008 catalogue and was looking at power sources for TMCC. Currently, I have a Z, ZW and LW powering up my system. Will I need a different power source or something in additon?"

Ed,

You certainly can use the power you've got! You can use the handles on your transformer to run conventional trains, or you can crank them all the way up and use a TPC 300 or 400 to use your CAB-2 to run them in Conventional mode.

I'm currently using a 1950ish Lionel KW to run PowerMasters for conventional use. It is my understanding that the TPC 300 and 400 units will take much more of a pounding while delivering smoother conventional performance, so if you're the kind of guy who has occasional derailments, these may be for you!

Frankly, I've arrived at the point where I rarely use my "conventional" engines on my TMCC layout, but bring them to shows, to work for under the Christmas Tree in the lobby, under my own Christmas Tree etc...

Jon

You don't need to make the investment in the TPC's, you can still get PM's (Power Master) rated to 180W.  The main differance is that you have to change a switch from command to conventional when running different engines.  The PM's retail less than $100 each and when you mave multiple loops it is a fair savings vs. the TPC's.

You can also use whatever transformer(s) you have available.

flower123 wrote:

I was just going over the Lionel 2008 catalogue and was looking at power sources for TMCC. Currently, I have a Z, ZW and LW powering up my system. Will I need a different power source or something in additon?  I understood the parts about remotes, switches and controlling conventional engines.  I guess I'm leaning towards the Legacy system.  Really like all those bells and whistles I'm a little late getting into the game so I like the expression, "eat dessert first, life is short."  Thanks

Hello Flower123:

Remember, even with Legacy you will need TPCs or Powermasters to operate your conventional trains via the remote.  You will also need several SC-2s to control your turnouts.   If you have enough power now, you do not need to upgrade your transformers. 

Regards,

John

flower123 wrote:

I saw a Lionel Bershire for about $300. It has TMC and railsounds.  I think the kids and myself would get a kick out of DynaChuff.Any suggestions that you can give would be greatly appreciated.

Also look at the Lionel TMCC PRR semi-scale Mikado. Although I paid $310., I've recently seen them new for as low as $225.-$265. Great sounds/smoke, and looks good too. Joe

Joe,

Thanks for the input.  I looked up the Mikado in the Lionel 2007 catalogue. It does fit the bill.  I guess using 027 and 031 limits one a little, but on the other hand they are not as costly as some of the bigger ones.  I better get the calculator out and see what this will cost. However, it is my hobby.