command control layout

[mmarostica]

I would like to build a "U" shaped layout in my house in a room that is approximately 8' by 10'. I would like to run both command control engines and non-command engines on my layout, not necessarily at the same time. I have 2 sidings to "park" the different engines at any given time. I have a few questions if you would be so kind to answer them if you can.

• 1. I already have a command control set with a TPC 300
• 2. Is there a book or documentation that specifically explains how to set this up and

how to run the individual engines?

I would appreciate any information that can help me with this situation.

 

Thanks,

Mike Marostica

[dwiemer]

First, welcome to the forum.  A few things may be of help.  Kalmbach (owners of this site) has a book out on command control that will help.  Also, if you to to the coilcoupler.com site, they have a lot of information on command control.  Lastly, you should also check out OGR's forum with the heading of Command Control, as well as returning to this site.  For specific questions on both sites, do a search as many topics have been well discussed.

Again, welcome,

Dennis

[Buckeye Riveter]

If you live in Ohio, you can head over to my house and see how it is set up.  My layout is also U shaped with about 200 plus feet of mainline when completed.  Also, a good local hobby shop (LHS) is a great place for instruction.

If you don't live in Ohio, let us know what state you live in and most likely someone can give you more specific guidance.  For example, if you lived in Southern California, the San Diego Model Train Museum is the place to see it all work and ask the experts the questions. 

There are plenty of instruction manuals on Lionel's web site that will assist you in running the command control and how to set it up.  Individual engine manuals can be found there, too.

and to the CTT Forum.

[mmarostica]

thanks for the info, I live north of Los Angles and would like to talk to someone about setting of a command control layout for both command and non-command trains.

Mike

[ChiefEagles]

Try these two.  Doug Wallace [dougsagrump on here] and Don Baker.  Both CA guys.  They will answer I'm sure.

[dougdagrump]

Mike, to the forum.

Within the group of train nuts on this forum is a great wealth of info and help.

When I first bought my TMCC set it came with a booklet entitled "The Complete Guide to Command Control", publication #71-2911-250. It is an excellent source of info for almost everything you might encounter during design, build and operation of your layout. Unless I have a "senior moment" I always take this with me when I go to the museum.

Chief referenced Don Baker but he should be on his way to York now. He and his son are members of the Angel's Gate HiRailers in the L.A. area. They have open house events but I have no idea as to the frequency. If you are interested in maybe visiting them, on the OGR forum look up Matt Jackson he can give you info or after Don gets back from York you can reach him in here.

If you ever decide to make the trek to San Diego Model RR Museum let me know. I'll give you a behind the scenes tour.

Unless there have been changes made the site that was suggessted is also a very good source for TMCC info, www.coilcouplers.com .

[Buckeye Riveter]

Mike, does this mean you are not stopping in at Buckeyeland in the near future.

BTW, take Doug up on his offer and head to San Diego post haste.

[csxt30]

to the forum Mike !! You'll be in good hands with Doug & Don !! Just wanted to say that the best thing I ever did was to get a TPC- 300  !!  I can run my MTH eng. better with it & plus all my other conventional engines work better with it too. Enjoy the forum & keep us posted !!

Thanks, John 

[corton]

Mike:

Again, welcome to the forum!  I just wanted to add to Doug's post above, where he references The Complete Guide to Command Control, publication #71-2911-250 from Lionel.

If you go to the Lionel website, under Customer Service, they have a pull-down for instruction manuals.  That PDF file is listed under the Trainmaster heading. It's 48 pages long, and answered just about all of my questions that I had left after reviewing the coilcouplers website.

Let us know how it turns out!

Carl

[phillyreading]

Mike,

Not sure how you program an engine into TMCC, with DCS you need to put the loco on the track by itself and program it into the handheld remote control to assign it an address, after that you can have any number of locomotives on a track and only run the one or ones you want. Can also control switches and accessories with an add on unit that is controlled thru the base unit.

If you have TMCC now stay with it as it works with more brands of trains than DCS will.

TMCC may work with an MTH engine but according to MTH you will not get all the features from the engine with TMCC even with a TPC-300/400.

Lee F.

 

[csxt30]

The best feature of running an MTH engine on a TMCC layout with a TPC -300 or 400 is you can open the couplers with the cab-1 . That's all I wanted to be able to do & it works great ! I get the smoke to work & all the sounds even without a TPC & slower speeds are even better with the TPCs.

Thanks, John 

[Geno]

Mike,
Whereabout north of L.A. do you live? I'm in Santa Clarita. How far along are you in your layout building?

I run TMCC but haven't got into the TPC's yet, since I only run command control. But I'm a member of Angel's Gate Hi-Railers in San Pedro, and I'm sure we have members who can help you.

Geno

[mmarostica]

I live in Ventura and am just starting to plan my layout. I have a 3 non-command engines and 1 command control engine. I have the command control set with a tpc300 and just bought a block power controller. I frequently shop at The Train Shack in Burbank because there are no shops locally that I know of that are knowledgeabe in Lionel.

 

Mike

[Geno]

Mike,
I ran carpet central operations for quite some time before the wife gave me the okay to build my layout. It's in our 20 x 20 bonus room, but the layout itself is L-shaped (runs along two walls). I'm attempting to use stud rail with Atlas 2-rail for my track, but having problems getting the studrail made, so for now I'm running a few loops and a small yard with 027.

 My roster consists of about 25 TMCC and 5 conventional diesels- maybe I should be running a TPC as well. I pick up some items from The Train Shack as well, but buy most of my gear from mail order and Ebay.

Do you have a track plan in mind already? What type of track are you planning to use? Feel free to let me know if you need help with your bench work.

Geno

[tgovebaker]

Kalmbach/CTT published a book by Neil Besougloff a few years ago that provides a pretty good overview of both TMCC and DCS, and all of the issues you'll want to understand -- blocks, stalls, TPCs, PowerMasters, etc.  I just pulled it off the shelf last night to begin planning a new wiring project for my switches. It is very helpful.

[mmarostica]

what's the name of the book?

[Anonymous]

The TMCC and DCS book is great.  In fact have an extra copy,  bought a second one in a senior moment.  Interested? 

[ChiefEagles]

to the forum Mike !! You'll be in good hands with Doug & Don !! Just wanted to say that the best thing I ever did was to get a TPC- 300  !!  I can run my MTH eng. better with it & plus all my other conventional engines work better with it too. Enjoy the forum & keep us posted !!

Thanks, John 

I have both TMCC and DCS.  Getting two TPC 300's was the best thing I havee done to run conventionals.  Great.

[Anonymous]

Jim,
If you don't mind me asking what is the ISBN number of the DCS/TMCC book?

[lionelsoni]

If the title is "Command Control for Toy Trains", the 10-digit ISBN is 0897785231; the 13-digit one is 9780897785235.

[Anonymous]

Thanks Bob!