Lionel Trainmaster

You need a Lionel command base to complete the picture.  Since you are using the CAB1L, it would be the matching BASE1L, the Legacy BASE2, or the upcoming BASE3 that is supposed to ship by the end of the year.

I don't know what you have ordered, a Trainmaster is a railroad employer who is in charge of a railway yard.

It's best to use specific product numbers when discussing this kind of stuff.

Good Catch.  I meant "Lionel Powermaster" 06-37146.  I am hoping this will take the place of the BASE1L.  Is that correct?

Scrapjockey

@scrapjockey posted:

Have purchases a Legacy CAB-1L hand held to operate the switches, but I believe I need the Lionel Trainmaster for operation which I have ordered.  My question is:  How do I wire the Trainmaster into my layout?

John's right on the money.  Lionel's Trainmasters are Post-War transformers, or FM diesel locomotives if not spelled precisely.

By "Trainmaster" do you mean a Command Base (Base-1L, Base-2, or Base 3) for your handheld (Cab-1L) or perhaps a PowerMaster (PM-1, TPC, or Legacy PowerMaster) for doing conventional control on your track from your remote?

Mike

@scrapjockey posted:

Good Catch.  I meant "Lionel Powermaster" 06-37146.  I am hoping this will take the place of the BASE1L.  Is that correct?

No.  A PowerMaster is not for control in command mode.  It's for control of conventional old-fashioned trains that are not command capable.  It is not a command base.  You still need a command base (Base-1L, Base-2 or Base-3) if one didn't come with your CAB-1L.

Mike

Mike, please see my reply to John.  Thank you and if you have anything to add, I'm listening.

Scrapjockey

Well, I just wanted to use it to control my Command Control Switches in conjunction with my CAB-1L hand held, but if this will not do the trick, I will cancel that order and order a BASE1L.

@scrapjockey posted:

Well, I just wanted to use it to control my Command Control Switches in conjunction with my CAB-1L hand held, but if this will not do the trick, I will cancel that order and order a BASE1L.

Yes.  Good idea.  You won't need it for your intended purpose.

The stuff that makes command control work for modern command capable locomotives (respond to your commands via your remote) is built inside them.

Old-fashioned locomotives don't have this stuff inside, so you have two options to operate them if you want to use your remote:

1. Have someone install new command electronics inside the old locomotive.
2. Use the Legacy PowerMaster to control the old locomotive by controlling the voltage applied to the track.  (This is what the PowerMaster is used for.)

Mike

Thank you Mike.  All of my locomotives are MTH PS-2/PS-3 which I have operated thru a TIU and hand controller.  In the past I have used MTH track on my layouts, but upon moving back to Virginia, I used Lionel Fastrack with Lionel Command Control Switches.  I thought that I could control the switches with a Legacy CAB-1L remote thru my GW-180 using a Powermaster, but apparently this is not the case.  I am now having problems finding a BASE-1L to order.  Lionel is a foreign product to me as I have always used MTH products. 

Scrapjockey

The BASE1L is going to be scarce as they're out of production.  The reason the CAB1L is still around is they're still being produced.  In a few months, you'll be able to obtain the BASE3 from Lionel which will work in conjunction with your CAB1L.  Also, when the BASE3 is released, my prediction is there'll be a bunch of Legacy BASE2 command bases available for a more reasonable price.

Okay thank you John. 

I have one more question which may be my last.....on this topic at least.  I have gained the information I have needed from each of you to the extent I have purchased a TMCC 06-12911 to go with my CAB-1L Remote controller.  I understand that I must connect my TMCC 12911 to the outside track, or ground, on my layout.  The track ground is connected o the "U" terminal on my GW-180 transformer.  Can I not simply connect my TMCC 12911 to this terminal on the transformer?  Thank you.

Scrapjockey

Hopefully the TMCC 06-12911 you've purchased (AKA. the Trainmaster Command Base, AKA the Base 1) came with a Cab 1 Remote.  Unfortunately the CAB 1L is not compatible with the original Base 1.  The original Base 1 only works with the Cab 1 Remote.

To answer your question about where to connect the Base's U post, it can connect to either the transformer Common (sometimes the U post depending on which transformer you plan to use)  or to the Outside rails.  The transformer Common and the outside rails should already be connected, so they are the same electrically.

I'm avoiding the use of the word "Ground", because that's the 3rd pin in the Base's power supply (wall wart) that plugs-in to the wall receptacle ground.  This earth ground provides a reference to which the Base's Common or U post TMCC track signal is referenced.

I have the CAB-1l Legacy 6-37155 remote.  I purchased the TMCC 12911 Base.  This is the first I have heard the CAB-1L remote needs any Base.  Am I going to have a problem?

Scrapjockey

@scrapjockey posted:

I have the CAB-1l Legacy 6-37155 remote.  I purchased the TMCC 12911 Base.  This is the first I have heard the CAB-1L remote needs any Base.  Am I going to have a problem?

Scrapjockey

Yes, that remote and that base are on different frequencies and capabilities and will not talk to each other- thus effectively, you are not controlling anything with that remote.

I should have stayed with MTH of which I am quite familiar.  So, I either purchase a CAB-1 Remote or a BASE -1L, or both of the same model to make this work.  Nice.  Thank you for the information.

@scrapjockey posted:

I should have stayed with MTH of which I am quite familiar.  So, I either purchase a CAB-1 Remote or a BASE -1L, or both of the same model to make this work.  Nice.  Thank you for the information.

Correct, you need to match the remote to the command base you're using.