Will a Cab-1 operate a conventional engines horn, whistle, and bell?
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Yes it will, but you will need at least a Powermaster hooked up between the rails and the transformer. If you use a Powermaster, you don't need a TMCC base, just the remote.
Or if the 180 watt maximum that a Powermaster isn't enough, then you will need a TMCC base, a cab-1, and a TPC 300 or 400, and a transformer.
Confused enough? Describe what your layout is like (how many conventional trains can run independently?) and what kind of trains you are wanting run. That will help determine what hardware you will need.
J White
Originally Posted by j white:
Or if the 180 watt maximum that a Powermaster isn't enough, then you will need a TMCC base, a cab-1, and a TPC 300 or 400, and a transformer.
Two or more identically powered & programmed PM-1's can be paralleled for more power as needed.
There is no Lionel approved protocol for doing this, it's just something I've done successfully. Proceed at your own risk - even with just a 2 135 PH-1/PM-1 combo you're looking at 14 amps to the track.
While paralleling two electronic power controls may have worked, that's not a configuration I'd recommend to anyone!
The layout is 10 X 10 U shape that is two levels, connects by a ramp. Both levels can operate 1 train each but each level is divided into several blocks that trains can be switched to change levels. All track is powered by a MRC Pure Power transformer. All engines are either late 50's, 60's MPC 70's and a couple of current Williams by Bachmann units.
I know from using a Remote Control unit for the backyard G scale loop how easy a Remote Control can be for trouble shooting, and would like that for the inside O layout.
I would recommend two powermasters one for each level you can then program each a different number so you can control the upper or the lower layout from one cab one.
Sounds like two Powermasters, one for each level. You can wire them in series between your existing power supply (supplies?) and the tracks they feed. Lionel sells a cable for that, or at least they used to that had an inline fuse to protect the electronics in the Powermaster. Or you can try to get a few of their 135w or 180w bricks that have a circuit breaker built into them.
The blocks for switching between levels ought to work the same as they do now, but that can be added to the cab-1 as well. That would require a command base and a BPC I think. I'm guessing that if the blocks aren't used too terrible much, that would more money and hassle than what it's worth.
Hope this helps,
J White
You mention a Cab 1, if you mean the TMCC Cab 1, gray in color, you will need the TMCC Powermaster, also gray in color. The Cab 1 will not communicate with the Legacy Powermaster.
Ray
