TPC 400

[Anonymous]

If I would purchase the TPC 400,will I be able to get all the sounds from all the new MTH trains that are Equipped with Protosound 2?

[tmcc man]

yes you would. the crewtalk would work, as well as the other features, and the proto couplers would work as well. I have one to run my command and conventional engines. it was very esy setup, and it requires these parts. The CAB1transmitter, and a COMMAND BASE (you can buy them seperately, or in a set #6-12969), and also the tpc cable set #6-14194, the command base cable #6-14191 for 6ft, or #6-14195 for 20 ft. A power supply is needed such as the 180 WATT power supply (6-22983), or the 135 WATT power supply. The TPC 400 can handle up to 400 watts of power, and the TPC 300 can handle 300 watts of power, and the difference is just the watts each can handle.
Hope it helps

[Anonymous]

Thanks for your quick response.I allready have the train master comand set and 360 watt of power for my lionel trains.How does the TPC work.How does it get the protosounds from the MTH Trains to work,Or can I just use my trainMaster command set anbd get the protosound.
Thanks

[spankybird]

Sorry to say, but I disagree with TMCC. You would only get the sounds that are avaible in conventional mode, which is a small part compaired to what DCS opens up.

[Anonymous]

Spankybird
Wouldn't I get the same conventional sounds from my trainmaster coomand set then.I wouldn't need to buy the TPC 400.A dealer tried to sell me the TPC 400,he says it would get all the sounds out of the protosound equipped trains,Boy this is confuseing as heck
Thanks

[tmcc man]

the tpc will actually work with the sound, and you can activate the freight/passenger proto effects. I had a DCS engine,the way is to press AUX1,and then 2 and i activated all of the sounds through the TPC.
To answer your main question,i do not know exactly how it sends the commands to the MTH engine. In my case, my engine's board blew, and it was locked in reverse, and i took out the PS2 board, and put an E unit into it. There was a large difference between spending $250 for the board, and $75 for the E unit. I recently traded it in along with the cars that went with it, as well as my southern RS3, and purchaed the Lionel TMCC equipped Seaboard C420
But some of the MTH products are regaining my respect, and i will buy the DCS system before i buy a MTH engine.

[spankybird]

QUOTE: Originally posted by tmcc man

the tpc will actually work with the sound, and you can activate the freight/passenger proto effects. I had a DCS engine,the way is to press AUX1,and then 2 and i activated all of the sounds through the TPC.

The point I am trying to make is that TPC does not activate all the PS2 sounds. Does it provide
1. 2 short horn blast for forward
2. 3 short horn blst for reverse
3. couple slack sounds
4. extended started ups
5. extended shut downs
6. labored engine sounds
7. dopler sounds
[?]
these are just a few that can be access thru DCS only.

[Anonymous]

If I purchased the DCS system,what other parts would I need to install on my Lionel Train Master Command to work the Protosounds,And can I run all my lionel Trains that have Railsounds on the DCS system.You gentlemen have been a great help, and cleared my mind on what to buy.
Thank You All

[spankybird]

If you go with DCS you can run all MTH PS2 engines in command mode and all other engines (no mater who made them) in conventional mode, or conventional mode with the remote via cannel 1 or 4. If you add TMCC command base, then you can run MTH PS2 and all TMCC engines in command and also all conventional engines.

You will need a special cable to connect the command base to the TIU.

If you are using an older transformer (like postwar ZW or KW) then you should add fast acting fuses between the transformer and the track, no mater which system you use.

If you are planning the TMCC with TCP, then you should also add a surge protector between the track and the transformer. DCS has this part built into it.

[Anonymous]

Thanks Spankybird
What type of cable do I need to buy to hook up the command base to the TIC unit. ONce I hook this DCS system together,can I keep switching back from one system to run my Lionel trains then switch over to DCS to run the MTH trains?
Thanks For Educating me on this,Your a life saver

[spankybird]

The cable to connect the TMCC command base to the TIU is MTH #50-1018 (MSRP of $19.95).

Once you are set up there isn’t any switching to do. DCS remote will or can control all your engines. If you wi***o do TMCC lash ups, then you should still have the Cab1.

You should pick up the OGR video on DCS, it will answer many of your questions. You can also go to the MTH site and get a free DVD on DCS.

[Anonymous]

That's great,I appreciate all your knowledge and also TMCC's help.Both of you seem to know your trains.I'm trying to learn,and trying not to have my rookie status hurt me in the cost of getting started.I'm not going to buy the TPC 400,I don't think I need it now with the DCS system.I know where to find you guys now if I need help in the future.
Take Care
Danny

[tmcc man]

dan you are welcome.