Newbie TMCC question about blocks in conventional operation

Classic Toy Trains Forum
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This is a rather long post with questions about installing TMCC for the first time. There is a duplicate post on the other O-Gauge forum, but it didn’t draw any responses so I’m asking you guys for help!

I have a small, 10x12 Fastrack layout and would like to install TMCC primarily for better conventional slow-speed control, and of course for remote operation. TMCC or Legacy locomotives are not in my budget for the foreseeable future, unless I qualify for some of that TARP money! Ditto for a new transformer, at least for now.

The layout has one main loop, a passing siding, and a yard. It is currently wired so the main loop is one block (with several power feeds) hooked via a terminal strip to a CW-80. There are also SPST switches for each of the three other blocks: the siding, the main track parallel to the siding, and the yard. This way I can park a train on the siding or the yard and run one on the main loop.

I’ve been researching this and think I’ve found enough information to get me started, but I’d appreciate any comments, tips or helpful information.

I’m assuming I can use one block power controller and run my 4 block feeds to that. The BPC would then be hooked to a TPC 300, which in turn is fed power by the CW-80, managed by the command base and CAB-1.

Question #1: Do I need to use the AUX terminals on the CW-80 in order to set a constant 18V? How can I make sure I set the voltage correctly? Or do I use the track terminals and just turn the power all the way up?

Question #2: Seems like everyone recommends using a TPC instead of a powermaster. Does that still hold true even if I don’t plan on purchasing any PS-2 locomotives?

Question #3: should I keep my SPST switches for the blocks, or just use the CAB-1 to control them?

Question #4: I have mostly manual Fastrack turnouts, but I do have one remote turnout and hope to purchase more. Can remote switches still be powered from track power, or not?

Question #5: One l

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I have a TMCC CAB1 and (2) TMCC Powermasters. All my engines are of the old fashioned type. I don’t even know what a TARP or a TPC is. But I can answer some of your questions.

#4: I don’t know why anyone would want to power their switches from track power. I have one section of my PostWar ZW powering all the switches. I am using tubular 3-rail O-22’s. I would hope that Fastrack switches allow the use of auxiliary power.

#5: I use manual SPST switches to turn on/off about 10 blocks. They work fine with the TMCC setup. Yes, it gives good low speed control. I have 2 independent loops, which is why I use 2 Powermasters. After trying to run 2 trains from one transformer, I found there was too much interaction between them, so I dug out an old 1033 transformer, and use one Powermaster on each loop. Each transformer is just set at the maximum.

One thing that the TMCC added was the ability to use both Horn and Bell. (Not at the same time). Previously I could use only one or the other. Hope you get answers to your other questions.

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Bob, thanks for the response. You actually answered most of my questions!