Functions of TMCC in Traditional Mode

MTH and Legacy/TMCC play well together, so my take would be to add the Legacy system and you'll be all set for anything that MTH or Lionel produces.  The DCS system has you covered for conventional control from the DCS remote.

 

You lose a number of features running TMCC/Legacy in conventional mode, control of stuff like electrocouplers, crew-talk, blowdown effects, etc.  In addition, typically the speed control or operational smoothness won't be as good with conventional control of most TMCC/Legacy locomotives.

 

Thanks gunrunner; I assume you mean to add Legacy as a separate operating unit in parallel with DCS rather than trying to combine it with DCS.

 

Wally

Yep, you can connect the Legacy command base to the serial port of the TIU.  This allows you to run TMCC stuff using the DCS remote or the Legacy remote.  Of course, you can still run Legacy stuff with the Legacy remote or in TMCC mode with the DCS remote.

 

It's really as simple as plugging in the Legacy command base, connect the signal wire to the outside rail, and away you go.  If you want the extra feature of running TMCC through the DCS remote, you add the serial wire.

 

This is the 50-1032 Legacy/TMCC Serial Cable that connects the pair.

 

Job done.

 

If you are in no particular hurry, then the new CAB-1L system might be a simpler and lower cost entry into Legacy control for you. These should be available (Hopefully.) in a few weeks time. You would then be able to move up to a full Legacy CAB-2 system at a later date, and still be able to use the CAB-1L remote if you wished.

I think if he's in no particular hurry, he'd be better off holding out for the full Legacy system.  The difference in price just doesn't justify losing the extra functionality of the full Legacy system.

 

Choo choo wally, I have been using dcs and legacy together since legacy came out. No issues what so ever. Just get the legacy 990 base set up and plug in the wall wart. Then hook up run the one signal wire to the outside rail of the track ( any 16 gauge wire will do.) Then purchase the new legacy/tmcc  db9 cable($20 part I belive)from mth and hook it up as directed.

 

If you need to hook other boxes or a pc to the db9 serial port. Lionel supplies a db9 wye cable in the legacy set. Just hook it up per the Lionel instructions. The cable hooks into the legacy base then one end hooks to the mth cable and the other end to another device such as Lionel control boxes or a pc. I hooked my old TMCC command base up to there so as to be able to have a third remote .

I can control  all of my trains from the DCS remote. The legacy engines have things like the quilling whistle that DCS can't control. So when I run my engines I use there respective contolers with them.Legacy remote  with legacy engines. Dcs remote with ps2 engines.

I now run more legacy engines than ps2. The legacy remote to me is easier to use and more fun. I also like the legacy sounds and slow speed control over ps2 engines.

This may sound complicated reading it here, but it is all very simple. As gunnrunner has stated you now have the ability to run every DCS, TMCC, Legacy and convetional engine out there.

Hope this helps.

Thanks Everybody; I'm less than an hour from Concord so maybe I can pick up some gear there during the big sale, or would it be best to wait for the latest CAB-1L system?

Maybe the sale will be one of those "pleasant" conundrums(?).  

 

Wally

Go with the full legacy system wally you won't be sorry.

The CAB-1L would be fine if you were only going to get TMCC engines and never buy a Legacy engine, but you lose so many features with the CAB1L you won't get the full enjoyment out of a Legacy engine. Spend the bit extra and get the full system