DCS versus TMCC

[Anonymous]

Take a look at the last 4 or 5 lionel catalogs. They discuss the use of TMCC, and that they have set it up to run ALL (as they say) engines ever made!

DCS is a proprietary (only their stuff) system of MTH and more work has to be done to get other systems to work on it. And there may not be enough room in your engines to convert.

Lionel seems to be working at getting business from making their TMCC user and industry favorable.

Call K-line, Williams & Lionel technical help lines - they will be helpful, and don't forget to look in Lionel's catalogs. They have given good attention to giving us understandable info........

[Anonymous]

Dear everyone,
Thank you all. Your input is greatly appreciated.

Sincerely,
Daniel

[clinchfieldfan]

I have a medium to large layout and use the MTH DCS system with the TMCC command base. I have had zero problems with the two systems working in sync.

The engines I use are PS2 and Lionel and K-Line with TMCC. In my experience, the PS2 engines run better and have better control and more features than those with the TMCC. With the TMCC system some engines have receiver problems in tunnels where the mountians use mesh screen for the base.

The DCS system requires special wiring and the laying of the track is important. Since I began using control on my layout the difference is very dramatic!!!!! As for blowing the electronics in the TIU, I have had a couple of "major" derailments with no ill effect to the system. The type of transformer that is used to power the system is important, older transformers that don't trip the breaker quick were causing people to burn up the TIUs.

I personally have had fewer problems with my MTH engines, on the other hand several Lionel engines had to go back for service. I believe that is just the luck of the draw. Most manufacturers use somewhere "east' of the U.S. to make their engines so quality is basically the same. (In my opinion)

I recommend that you go with both DCS/TMCC if you do go command that way you can run anybodys product.

[Anonymous]

I agree with Big_Boy_4004, and might add that these clone manufactures could show a little more respect for Lionel. After all, 104 years of service to the hobby is worth something. At least K-Line uses the TMCC system, and is a member of the in-group. I do have MTH rolling stock, and would probably buy their engines if they got on the program.

my two cents;

Richard

[Bob Keller]

We ran features stories on both TMCC and DCS in 2002.

The TMCC story is Command contrl basics on p. 52 of the May 2002 issue. The DCS feature is Digital control delivers on p. 44 of the September 2002 issue.

E-mail me your mailing address and I'll be glad to send you copies of the articles.

Bob Keller
Classic Toy Trains

[superwarp1]

Why do you have to decide either or? Do both. If you are starting a new layout you can wire it per MTH so you don't have signal problems and ad TMCC. You now can purchase engines from both MTH and Lionel.

Gary

[Anonymous]

I am currently running TMCC and from different article that I have read I think i am going to stay with it there are more Manufactures offering TMCC compatible engines and accessories.
Some of the articles I have read and dealer displays that I have seen DCS has a bad point with the TICU ? or what ever they are called. Any short and there goes a TICU? I don't remember if it was in C.T.T or the other mag. I subscribe to both, but one instance the burned out a TICU ? I thinkl $200.00 a little expencive for operator error.
We all know there is always a chance of a derail or something metal falling across the track ( especialy when a 5 yr. old is involved) , Well this has happened 1 or 2 times he droped something or threw the wrong switch trying to help Daddy well. I only had to turn off the surge protector because the circut breaker in the TMCC stuff kicked, fix the problem, fix trains and turn the power back on.

[Big_Boy_4005]

As you can tell from my original response, I have a pretty strong opinion on this subject. Of course I have no experience in running both systems together, but I have read a fair amount written by people who have.

The simple answer is yes, they can be operated together, but It sounds tricky. In theory, is is supposed to be rather straight forward, but in practice it sounds like anything but.

Part of the trouble may come from the complexity of your layout, a simple layout may yield acceptable results. My layout is very large, and it will certainly take more effort than I'm willing to give, to resolve issues that can arise as a result of that fact.

I feel that I have enough other projects to do on my layout, rather than spend time debugging the quirks that would come from combining the two different systems. If you are good with electronics, you might be able to handle these tasks, if not, you may be asking a lot of questions and doing a fair amount of head scratching.

[Anonymous]

Dear Big_Boy_4005, Roger Bielen, and Ogaugeoverlord,
I thank you very much for your input. I have one other question: if I can operate TMCC equipment with DCS, how hard is this to do, and is it worth it to do so isntead of just using TMCC? Once more, thank you very much.

Sincerely,
Daniel

[Bob Keller]

It is really a flip of the coin depending on what you want to do with your layout.

TMCC has market penetration.

DCS is more advanced and, to me at least, easier to use since it has the the LCD screen. DCS advocates would also add that it can operate TMCC gear.

Personally, except when I'm testing trains for the magazine, I prefer to run everything in the conventional mode - I don't want to have to "think" about my trains. I just want to start them and let them go!

Bob Keller
Classic Toy Trains

[Roger Bielen]

Personally, from what I've read I feel that TMCC is the easier way to go. With DCS there are interfaces to allow running TMCC equipment. With TMCC and a TPC you can run DCS equipment, I believe, in conventional.

Also it appears that TMCC is more user friendly in starting out, backwards compatible, and has become more widespread with aftermarket equipement and other manufacturer's gfetting on board.

Lastly, it may be a matter of what is more readily available in your area. Ther'a a lionel dealer within 10 mi. of my home, nearest MTH is an hour away.

Whichever way you go read all you can before starting constructon and especially wiring. Have fun and look at any problems as a learning exprience.

[Big_Boy_4005]

This is the old Beta vs VHS or IBM vs Apple war, brought to the toy train world, and frankly it bothers me a great deal. I have chosen my position in this battle based on a couple of things.

Which company was the first to offer command control?

Which system is being used by other manufacturers?

It is clear to me that MTH has chosen to stand alone by inventing a competing system after the fact.

I own 10 TMCC engines, I plan to use the serial port on the command station, in order to have a computer control some of the trains on my very large layout. I refuse to invest in a second system, even if it may be of higher quality, or has more features. I do not want to have to learn two seperate systems, or deal with the intricacies of trying to make them work together.

I find it extremely unfortunate that I will not be able to buy any of MTH's DCS equipped models, as there are a number of items that have caught my eye.

I do not consider conventional control to be a viable option for my needs. Some of those that read this response may get the impression that I am some kind of "train snob", but the truth is that 10 years ago I didn't own any trains that weren't made by Lionel, and now less than half of my equipment was made by them.


P.S. I do own a fair amount of MTH non powered equipment, and like it very much. I will continue to buy MTH cars and accessories, but when it comes to DCS I stand firm !

[Anonymous]

Well, I'm back home, but I don't think anybody really minded the three week respite from my postings[:)].

Anyway, I am currently in the planning stages my of future three-rail layout, and must decide upon DCS or TMCC. Currently I have only conventional locomotives, but I am planning on purchasing the K-Line Mikado with TMCC. I believe that I read that with a special accessory TMCC locomotives could be operated with DCS. Can I run DCS locomotives with TMCC? I have heard that TMCC is easier, but at the same time the MTH information on DCS portrays it as easy and TMCC as difficult. Which one is easier, and more importantly, which one is generally better, since I am not completely adverse to hard work (chuckle, chuckle). Please keep in mind that I do not have any control-system-specific equipment yet. Any help you could provide would be most appreciated.

Thank you,
Daniel