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Fred,

Depends on what he needs.  The Legacy 360 PowerMaster is no where in sight, so if he needs more power to the track than the PowerMaster's 180 watts, his only choice for the foreseeable future is the TPC300 (270 watts) or the TPC400 (360 watts).  I currently run TPC400s with my Cab2, but will swap them out whenever (if?) the 360 PowerMaster shows up.  I do recommend that anyone using more than 180 watts gets a fast CB like the PSX-AC to ensure no damage to the trains during a derailment.

Last edited by CAPPilot

I am looking to purchase a TMCC  or Legacy Cab-1L/Base -1L so as to be able to remotely control my post war conventional train.   I know I need to make additional purchases - PowerHouse for power, PowerMaster or TPC 300/400 for track power control, but I do not understand the comments in this thread.

Why would I want more amps to power my track??  I am initially only going to have 1 train; in the future (if the grandkids like the train around the Christmas tree) I may purchase a 2nd TMCC or Legacy locomotive.

Please advise, thanks

Father Christmas posted:

I am looking to purchase a TMCC  or Legacy Cab-1L/Base -1L so as to be able to remotely control my post war conventional train.   I know I need to make additional purchases - PowerHouse for power, PowerMaster or TPC 300/400 for track power control, but I do not understand the comments in this thread.

Why would I want more amps to power my track??  I am initially only going to have 1 train; in the future (if the grandkids like the train around the Christmas tree) I may purchase a 2nd TMCC or Legacy locomotive.

Please advise, thanks

For simple sets using only one engine to pull a small number of cars, you would not.  Though if you mix your PW with a TMCC or Legacy engine (running at the same time) in the future, you probably will want to break your track into multiple blocks so that you can vary the voltage of the track with the conventional train, but leave the TMCC/Legacy train's track at full voltage.  (using a second PowerMaster for the second block)

Those looking for more power are trying to do things like running multiple TMCC/Legacy sets on a single block or power district at the same time (or a single set with multiple "lashed-up" engines and possibly a large string of lighted passenger cars (cars with incandescent bulbs can add up pretty quickly on the power demands, though most newer cars use LEDs to lessen the problem there).

-Dave

Last edited by Dave45681

Following GunRunnerJohn's advice, I bought the 180W Legacy PowerMaster. It does a better job of dealing with momentary shorts, and does not need a serial port connection, it listens to the track TMCC signal at 450 kHz. Do not confuse it with the older gray PowerMasters that listened to the 26 MHz signal of the old Cab1.

And by the way, I can vouch that the blue Legacy PowerMaster work with older gray Command Base. What I have yet to figure out is does the Lionel Wifi work with the old one. Working on it. Quite possible I sold a bunch of CAB-1s for nothing.

Also want to play with Android->MTH Wifi->Ser2->TMCC, and then just MTH DCS.

When I am all done, several command control stuff will be sold including IC Controls TPC 400s.

Team Ridley posted:

looking for one of these 2...buy or trade...let me know email is in my profile...Thanks

I’ve got a TPC 400 that I’d sell you. It is one of ten prototypes hand made in the USA by Lou Kovatch for the Lionel TMCC demo group.  It was only used a few times and comes in a brown box with the original draft instruction manual along with the serial cable. 

When Lionel first purchased IC Controls the products were produced in USA then production was transferred to China. According to Lou the Chinese made products are more susceptible to failures from power surges and it is recommended that you install  Transient Voltage Suppressors on both inputs and outputs.

My e -mail in my profile if interested.

Sad but true Rockster.  Gone are the days when Lionel proudly put Made in the U.S. of America on their products.

Hope you'll consider taking out a Digital Subscription to O Gauge Railroading and becoming a Supporting Member soon.  Remember, you can loose your caboose on Wall Street, but at OGR you receive dividend after dividend, 24/7.  The best deal I made in 2020!

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