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Just to verify, I can run a Lionel Steam Loco that is TMCC controlled with my 990 Legacy system without any modifications right? I’ve never owned a TMCC unit, having jumped back into the hobby early last year with Legacy only and now have five Legacy diesels.

I love every one and now I want to try the steam genre for something different.  But - will I be disappointed with the TMCC vs. Legacy Engine? I have all 060 curves and 072 switches so I think it should run ok since I’m considering something like a 2-8-4 or even a maybe 2-6-6-4 etc - but not a Big Boy (yet)!

Any and all advice is greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

Steve

Last edited by Raven87
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@Raven87 posted:

Just to verify, I can run a Lionel Steam Loco that is TMCC controlled with my 990 Legacy system without any modifications right? I’ve never owned a TMCC unit, having jumped back into the hobby early last year with Legacy only and now have five Legacy diesels.

I love every one and now I want to try the steam genre for something different.  But - will I be disappointed with the TMCC vs. Legacy Engine? I have all 060 curves and 072 switches so I think it should run ok since I’m considering something like a 2-8-4 or even a maybe 2-6-6-4 etc - but not a Big Boy (yet)!

You can run anything that the old CAB1 will run with the Legacy system with one exception.  The old original TMCC PowerMaster track controller only works with a CAB1.  There is a work-around for that.

FWIW, forget about the scale Big Boy on O60 curves, I can tell you for sure the Vision Line BB or the MTH scale BB will NOT make it around.  The locomotive makes the turn, the centipede tender hops off the rails.

You can run anything that the old CAB1 will run with the Legacy system with one exception.  The old original TMCC PowerMaster track controller only works with a CAB1.  There is a work-around for that.

FWIW, forget about the scale Big Boy on O60 curves, I can tell you for sure the Vision Line BB or the MTH scale BB will NOT make it around.  The locomotive makes the turn, the centipede tender hops off the rails.

Thanks GRJ. Do I need the TMCC PowerMaster Track controller to run the TMCC engine?

Your help is very much appreciated.

Thanks again GRJ. I also use the PowerHouse 180W power supply (18v output) so that should be fine, right?

So I just bought a lightly used Lionel (6-28028) Allegheny Virginian 2-6-6-6 with TMCC. It is supposed to run on 054s so I hope I’m good there.

Any advice for running this particular unit especially using the Legacy Control or about the engine itself?

Last edited by Raven87
@Raven87 posted:

Thanks again GRJ. I also use the PowerHouse 180W power supply (18v output) so that should be fine, right?

So I just bought a lightly used Lionel (6-28028) Allegheny Virginian 2-6-6-6 with TMCC. It is supposed to run on 054s so I hope I’m good there.

Any advice for running this particular unit especially using the Legacy Control or about the engine itself?

The PH180 is perfect, great circuit breaker and a constant 18 volts.  It's so good I use a bunch of them!

The Allegheny is a nice piece, I actually have that exact one.  I embellished mine with ERR cruise and a Super-Chuffer II.  I can't directly comment on O54 running, I have O72 and larger curves.  It's a bog-standard TMCC locomotive, so it'll run just like any other TMCC locomotive using the Legacy system.  As I mentioned, it doesn't have cruise control stock, so you'll find it's speed varies with grades, curves, and loading.

Virginian Allegheny #900

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@Raven87 posted:

Thank you Richie C.
Wouldn’t these LC2+ units require the LC App or LC controller vs the 990 system?

No - the LC+ 2.0 locomotives can be operated via the Lionel App (a free download), but it is not mandatory.

One of the many features of the LC+ 2.0 engines is that they can be operated via several control systems - Blue Tooth via the Lionel app or the Universal Remote; command control (TMCC or Legacy); or with a conventional transformer. Some will also operate via Lionel's new Voice Control.

I have the LC+ 2.0 Big Boy and operate it with my Legacy system and like it a lot.

   

223F0CC0-DE38-4AC4-8D8D-02B75F973BD7

Ok, so I got the TMCC Allegheny (6-28028)  unboxed and on the track and of course I have some questions. But first - what a beautiful locomotive! The detail is amazing. As is the weight! What a monster, both the locomotive and the tender!
Questions…

I'm using my 990 Legacy system so when setting up to control the engine should I set it on Cab 1 or TMCC? My other units are all Legacy diesels so this TMCC Steamer is a much different animal.

When running with it set to Cab 1 I do not have any indication what speed step it is at? Should there be an indication?
Speaking of speed, I do SERIOUSLY miss the Legacy Odyssey speed control - anything I can do to add or improve the variability?

I’ve set the stall per the instructions but still the (dim?) headlight will keep blinking. Any secret to this?
And even with the stall set (IF I did set it right?) the locomotive does not start out at a smooth, slow crawl - is this because it’s not a Legacy?
Are the headlight/tender reverse lights supposed to be dim, almost yellow? I do have 18.1+ volts to the track but they still seem really dim?
Are the number boards supposed to be illuminated? These are not  

I’m sure I may have more but these are the ones that I am most curious about after my first test runs today  

Any and all advice is greatly appreciated!



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Last edited by Raven87

With the stock motor driver board, you should be using the TMCC engine type when configuring this locomotive.  That will also give you a speed graph on the CAB2.

You can add the ERR Cruise Commander M (CC-M) board to replace the stock DCDR to give the locomotive cruise control.  This is a huge improvement, and it's a mandatory upgrade for any of my stuff that has the old DCDR motor control board.  The CC-M also gives you 100 speed steps vs. 32 speed steps for the stock DCDR driver board.  You'll have MUCH better low speed performance and smoother running by far with the CC-M.  The installation of the CC-M is a pretty simple affair, typically one wire from the CC-M to the serial data from the R2LC board socket and a couple of plugs.

The lighting is 3mm incandescent bulbs, they're not the brightest things in the world.  FWIW, when I upgraded my Allegheny for my Super-Chuffer, I also replaced all the lighting with LED lighting, it's a night and day difference!

Thank you John! I will definitely try it with it configured as TMCC vs CAB-1.

Do you sell any of those parts upgrades or should I source them from a vendor?

I had more time to spend getting acquainted with the unit this morning. I found out that I was causing the flashing headlight because when I would select the Allegheny on my Cab2 I would hit ‘set’ like I usually do for my Legacy diesels. Apparently this was telling the system I was wanting to set the stall again. My bad. I also lubed and greased it as recommended in the manual and let it run solo for a while before attaching 7 coal hoppers for more easy run/break in time given the drivers and tender wheels all looked like they were new.

I have noticed that it has seemed to have settled down a bit in the speed variations oin curves and on slight grades the longer it runs which seems to be what I’ve read about these particulate motored locomotives? Or is just my hopeful imagination? Regardless I’m going to get and install that CC-M unit for sure. I really want better low speed performance!

Thanks again.

Last edited by Raven87

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