My understanding from hearing Lou Kovach talk about Legacy (TMCCII) is that DCS will continue to be able to control basic TMCC II loco functions (but not TMCC II new functions) using existing hardware. This is an obvious consequence of keeping TMCC I locos still operable from the TMCC II handheld/command base. DCS will not be able to access new TMCII functions partially because MTH has chosen to only partially implement current TMCC I functions and partially because MTH has chosen not to play nice with others in the industry in terms of compatibility thus far. DCS has not implemented the programming to allow control of TMCC I trains, routes and accessory commands, so you cannot use DCS to control TMCC I devices such as the SC2 accessory or switch controller, in answer to the other question. However, while nothing is certain, it seems likely the TMCC II command base will have a port that can be accessed by the DCS TIU as is currently the case, as this is essential to maintain compatibility with some older TMCC I devices like the TPC 300.
I think operating TMCC II locos with DCS will remain feasible, but increasingly limited and cumbersome until a possible future in which both companies agree to cross-license their systems so that their developers can incorporate true full inter-operability. We'll know more when the TMCC II system is actually in consumer hands, presumably sometime in the next few months.
After I posed this question, I continued my research. I have not found anything definitive, but it certainly appears that the new Legacy system will not work in the same way as the original TMCC system. I will probably just end up acquiring the TMCC system for now so that I can utilize my existing TMCC engines. Since TMCCII engines are supposed to be able to operate on a TMCC layout, I would believe that they would work if the command base was connected to the TIU. However, the TMCCII engines would be restricted to 32 speed steps and many of the engine functions would not be accessible.
Maybe if we all pray really hard, Mike and Jerry will come up with a solution that will allow both companies engines to operate unhindered on the same layout. Of course, maybe the North Koreans, the Iranians will dismantle their nuclear program and the Russians will stop poisoning people...I guess I won't hold my breath.
Regards,
John O
I know that you can connect the TIU and TMCC with the connector cable but don't know if the new Lionel will be compatible with the TIU & DCS system or allow you to connect the two systems. Also heard that there may be a new PS-3 system out within another year or two. Personally I would wait for any news about new systems before adding anything.
My question on command control is can you hook up accessories to TMCC and control them with DCS? How do you control switches or accessories with TMCC?
Right now I have DCS: one TIU & one AIU. With DCS I could Daisychain five AIU's together, one AIU can handle ten switches and ten accessories.
Lee F.
As I continue the wiring of my layout, I was going to get the TMCC Cab-1 and command base. I was going to connect the command base to my TIU so that I could run both my MTH and Lionel engines. With Legacy coming out shortly, could I connect the new command base in the same fashion to the TIU? If I can, I may just purchase the new system. I think the new Cab-2 remote is pretty cool, and would love to get a new Legacy engine.
Any help is appreciated.
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