Recommendations for semi-scale 4-6-2

Scale is like being pregnant. Either you or it is or is not!

OK, smarty pants, non-scale.  I agree with you that semi-scale is a dumb term but that's what the industry has adopted.  I changed it to something I hope you prefer.

Thanks for derailing my thread right off the bat, though.  Much appreciated.

1. The CAB-1 will operate the conventional MTH without any issues.

2. The CAB-1 will operate the PS-1, in my case F3 Diesels, without any issues. I cannt comment on PS-2.

3. I would think if the PS-1 is going to fail by this time it would have. Just test what ever you intend to purchase before hand.

You can run PS2/3 trains fine in basic conventional mode with your current setup, but if you want to operate some of the advanced conventional features (protocouplers, PFA sequences, etc.) then the Powermaster in your current setup is not going to be of much use.  The horn/bell button sequencing to activate those features through a CAB-1 tend to be too slow for the engines to be able to perform the commands reliably.  You'd want to get either a TPC-300 or 400 to replace the powermaster as the TPCs can emulate full PS2/3 conventional commands through the CAB-1.  

Or for less money you can get the entry level DCS Remote Commander set to operate the PS2/3 engines in command mode with the separate controller, or get the full-blown DCS system and daisy-chain it to your existing TMCC system and you can run both TMCC and PS2/3 off of the DCS remote or run them with their own respective remotes.

Nah - not derailed yet. There's always a wet blanket.

Powermasters will operate most anything in conventional. There are transformer issues

with some early PS1 (alias: QSI); wave forms and all that. Not really or usually a

PM problem. My PS1 RK 2-8-8-2 runs with a PM, but the sound is odd. (A TPC cures it -

so the PM can have an effect; this can be a bit of a turkey-shoot concerning the

early stuff.)

Too much info. Most things that you buy will be fine with the PM.

I like the K-line sub-O (no "semi" to upset people) 4-6-2 and 2-8-2 from some

years back. (This is not the cute little Marx-based 3/16" scale 4-6-2.) It is a very nice USRA/Southern Rwy. type; the 2-8-2 uses the same boiler. K-line has offered some very

nice sub-O Hudsons, also. These locos - along with their sub-O Allegheney - were

built to 1:58 scale. They are nice O-gauge, but not O-scale, models. Some have

had TMCC.

Get a TPC and its required TMCC command base (simple stuff) and so much will open

up. 

Thanks Conductor - I'll keep my eyes peeled for a K-Line.  They just don't seem to be as plentiful.

I have TMCC for the layout and enjoy the Command Control.  But, I started with all conventional and like using the CAB-1 to control the track voltage when running them. 

I've seen a less-than-scale 4-6-2 from Lionel with TMCC - there almost always seems to be 1-2 of those available on various auction sites.  That may be an option.

We'll see.  There's so much out there I like, but with 2 in college starting next fall, it's hard to get everything I want.

The K-line 3000 Pacifics are pretty good looking engines and are conventional with the air whistle.  I don't know if you can find a Pennsy on the auction sites.