@H1000 posted:If Lionel didn't want customers running trains from other manufactures, then why publish the TMCC command set and put a DB9/RS232 interface on the original and subsequent command bases? A major point of this interface is to allow you to control your trains from another device not made by Lionel, they even advertise that fact.
Because publishing the TMCC command protocol inherently supports running Lionel trains and those whose manufacturers have licensed TMCC, such as Weaver, Williams, Atlas, and 3rd Rail. This command set inherently does not support running other manufacturer's stuff, like MTH or Menards. This is consistent with what I said in the previous post.
You can control TMCC equipment with MTH's controller because:
- Lionel allowed it.
- MTH agreed and implemented it.
From Lionel's point of view this approach directly supports buying and running Lionel trains above all else.
It did not happen the other way around because:
- Either MTH didn't allow it, or
- Lionel didn't agree that it had value and didn't implement it, or
- Both
From Lionel's point of view this approach inhibits, or at least doesn't support, buying and running MTH trains if you're a loyal Lionel customer.
Who was more generous here? It's tough to say.
Mike
