Looking for LEGACY PowerMaster Fail Safe/ Emergency Operations Mode

I use a ZW-C for power. I run two mainlines with the B and C outputs which go directly to the settings of their respective throttles when the ZW-C is turned on. I don't like the fact that Powermasters (I'm  guessing since I don't have any), and the new ZW-L cannot be set to power up to whatever voltage you select or where the throttles are set (in the case of the ZW-L).

If I had your setup and requirements, I would pitch the Powermasters and just use the Powerhouses directly. The emergency stop button on the controller will still stop all the engines, it just won't turn off the Powerhouse, but any short on the track will shut them down quickly anyway. The 180 Watt Powerhouse has an excellent fast electronic breaker. You can also use a direct lockon  for additional safety and control...but it seems redundant. Any thoughts on this.

http://www.lionel.com/products...irect-lockon-6-34120

I bring a spare command base to train shows with our modular club, problem solved.   We use straight 180W bricks for the modular layout, so no worry about PowerMasters and the like.

CJack & GRJ,

One of the driving reasons for going with powering and controlling the inner and outer main lines with PowerMasters was to retain the ability to run conventional locomotives. Short list of reasons: 1) At least once or  a day at train shows families or kids bring old trains in and ask if I can tell them about their trains and their eyes light up whenThe  I ask them if they would like to see them run. 2) I have conventional Locomotives from my family's collection that I like to run on the big layout. 3) I am of the mind set that kids should be able to run the trains at train shows and postwar Locomotives are pretty durable and dependable and when setting a PowerMaster I can cap max speed. Postwar Locomotives are also cheaper to replace when they test gravity.

I am thinking that The next upgrade to the module railroad's power and control will include TMCC Direct Lockons.  Each of the mainlines will have Direct Lockons wired in parallel with the PowerMasters. Using a SPDT or DPDT switch I will be able to isolate an individual PowerMaster and pass power through a Direct Lockon.

 To my knowledge Lionel  does not sell a power adapter cable that connects the output of a 180W brick directly to track.  My research of the Lionel product line tells me Lionel intended to have electronic circuit breaker protection between a 180W brick and a modern locomotive.

~K

The TMCC Direct Lockon is ONLY designed to run at command voltages, hence the name.  Below 11-12 volts, it ceases to function.  It also stomps on the MTH DCS SIgnal, something to remember if you run DCS.

The fact that Lionel didn't sell a cable to connect the PH180 directly doesn't mean the transformer is unsuitable for a direct connection to the track.  In point of fact, it has a better circuit breaker than many (most) modern transformers and is perfectly suited to direct track connection.  It costs peanuts to fabricate the correct Molex connector lead to wire the transformer to whatever track connection you desire.

I get the idea of being able to run conventional, and if I had that requirement, I'd do the following.  Use the PH180 and the Legacy PowerMaster.  A DPDT switch would be used to switch both the inputs and outputs of the PowerMaster in or out of the circuit.  You just need to switch the hot leads, not the common leads.  This accomplishes all your goals and reduces the complexity of the task.

I don't know much about DCS and I would like to learn more about what gets stomped out.  Where would I go to read more? What if one just bypasses common around the LOCKON?

Since the TMCC Direct Lockon would essentially be a backup I see this as a viable option. 

Rule number one: KEEP TRAINS RUNNING!

Rule number two: Let the kids play with the trains. 

Rule number three: never run a train that is so valuable that you would require a "do not touch sign"

~K

I don't see a reason to need the TMCC Direct Lockon at all.  The breaker on the PH180 is more than sufficient to protect the trains, and the one thing it doesn't have are the TVS protection diodes.  Funny thing, neither does the TMCC Direct Lockon, an omission that I found puzzling at least.

If you follow my recipe for the connection, all you need are a couple of PowerMasters and the PH180's.  Add a couple of switches and some wire and connectors, and the job is done.