hello all, I have 3 Lionel TPC 300 power controllers. If I decide to stay 100% conventional and not use legacy are these controllers of any use on a conventional layout? Please advise. thank you very much, sharing
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No. They allow conventional operation of Lionel and Mth locos via a TMCC/ Legacy handheld, and aren't much use without.
The TPC needs a command base. The powermaster, the original ones anyway, don't need a command base, only a power source, preferably a 135 or 180 brick that plugs right into the powermaster. And a Cab1 or 2. If you have 3 TPCs, I suppose you will stay with getting a new command base. Plus, I don't know how you would get power to the track without a Cab1/2. You need one of those to talk to your TPCs. You don't need Legacy, the old command base will work if you are trying to go cheap.
Jerome,
Yes, but you also need to have a Command Base, at least on Cab-1, and 3 sources of power.
What the TPC's will provide you is the ability to walk around your layout when you are running trains. You are not strapped to the transformer. They also allow you to control the voltage at a much finer increment than traditional transformers. They will operate both the bell and whistle, much more consistently that conventional transformers.
Also, since you will be using TMCC, even though you are running trains in a conventional mode, you can get SC-2's to remotely control the switches and accessories on your layout.
Bill K
