Forget that, grabs radio, callin all trucks, we got a big blaze out on juction tower road.
If you’re going to run the newest engines … count on the newest transformers and controllers . So many make the mistake of trying to use their 1960 model transformer to get good results from the new digital electronics . I had to plunk down mega bucks for the new setup . Remote control is the way to go ! Yea I know you paid many hundreds for that huge Lionel transformer … so did I … but she’s out of date . All I use my old style one for now are signals … lights and etc. Went all digital and sold my pre railsounds engines . That hot box car has to be the coolest one anyone makes ! Should be more digital functional with a remote though . Hey have you seen the bum playing the harmonica car … my grandkids love that one ! Gotta get a infra-red sonsor or 2 now … beats the heck out of my old weight sensitive clip on model …you can even set the delay time like the real signals !
I believe the old ZWs, with full sine wave, & properly maintained individual circuit breakers are still a perfect match with all the new electronics.
Agree with you 100% Ole Timer. I’m using the Z-4000 with DCS. Have to dig through my boxes and find the Lionel Command Base so I can make use of the TMCC on the Mikado. Haven’t seen the bum/harmonica car yet. But I got a really neat 6-26858 Christmas Music Boxcar. Been waiting months to get it and it finally arrived last week. Takes a 9-volt battery and plays 12 kinds of Christmas music. Sounds really good. Doesn’t need the transformer on to operate. Even if you just put it on the mantle to hear it in the background, it’s cool.
Here’s a pic of it:
http://www.mrtoys.com/lionel-christmas-rolling-stock/Lionel-Christmas-Music-Boxcar-6-26858.htm
The paint job on it is fantastic. DOH! I just blew my next review!!! ROFL! [(-D]
Dep
I use a newer ZW transformer for when I want to have some real fun, but for for the small little loop of FasTrack I own, I use which ever transformer I happen to pull out of the closet.
That sounds like a good plan! [:)]
Dep
John’s right. Got three Post War ZW’s and two KW’s. Use fast acting circuit breakers and they will do outstanding jobs.
Hooked up the Lionel Command Base to the TIU and programmed the Mikado into the DCS handheld. AWESOME! Works PERFECT! I can really CRAWL it from a stop and the sounds are great when set to 18 volts. However, another problem has cropped up. Crewsounds. I get only ONE from the tender, and that’s when the train does the “shut down” sequence on the DCS. And I am again having problems with what he is saying…even with 18 volts on the track. Is there more than one crew sound and how do you activate them? Or do I need the CAB-1 to hear all of them? And what the heck is he saying on shutdown???
Dep
Which version of RailSounds? Version 4 has an earlier indistict chatter version of crew talk. Version 5 has audiable crewtalk.
Cripes Chuck…I dunno. It’s a brand new set released in 2006. Here’s the ad for it:
RailSounds sound system with CrewTalk communication TowerCom announcements and DynaChuff synchronized chuffing.
I looked in the catalog and it does say:
CrewTalk Communications(TrainMaster Command Control required)
This is the crackling radio communication inside your locomotive, caboose, and other cars. Operate several CrewTalk-equipped locomotives with CrewTalk-equipped rolling stock, and you will find that these messages are sequenced to sound as though personnel stationed at different parts of the train are radioing each other.
TowerCom Announcements(TrainMaster Command Control required)
“1361, you’re clear for departure.” Locomotives equipped with TowerCom feature a specialized announcement or announcements from the tower to your locomotive. Many TowerCom announcements include your locomotive’s roadname and number.
So maybe I do need the CAB-1 to hear or activate all the chatter.
Dep
Told you earlier, get CAB1. I’ve been there. I started with DCS. Then got TMCC engines. Got CAB1 and opened up a new world. Run TMCC with CAB1 and MTH PS2 with DCS remote. Run conventional with CAB1 and TPC. You’ll be happy.