Hello again, has anybody had any difficulties running TMCC and/or DCC equipped locos with a conventional power pack? Most of my equipment is early to mid 50’s but I would like to get some of the newer locos but they are all TMCC or other equipped. Can this equipment, I am thinking of getting a Coor’s train, be run at least with a regular AC power pack? I two MRC 027 packs that are very good and run all my equipment so far very slowly and very smoothly, compared with my old 2033 Lionel pack. By the same token, can my older equipment be operated on the newer systems?
Thank You for any assistance.
Don
Most, if not all, TMCC locos will operate in a conventional mode with traditional transformer power, the only thing is that you will not be able to access all of the TMCC functions and you might have to add a whistle/bell button to activate those sounds. The Coors Train, by MTH with Proto-2, will also operate in a conventional mode however the access to all of the PS2 functions will be limited and in some instances there is a lack of compatibility between MTH locos and some transformers. Whether this will be an issue with the MRC unit I do not know, if you go to the MTH site and look up this set there is a link to the owner’s manual that shows a transformer compatibility list.
As has been posted by others, on related threads–compatibility problems may arise even among the different model loco’s within a brand (perhaps, even from sample to sample of the same model) when using another brand of transformer (where digitally equipped engines are concerned). One person may have no problems, another can’t get a similar engine to move.
Try before you buy, would be the prudent approach, otherwise, it’s a gamble.
I’d recommend taking your transformer to a LHS to run the engine model in question–if it does what you want, then buy it (from them).
Don’t know how well MRC transformers will work with TMCC or DCS but I would suggest getting a Z1000 by MTH or a CW-80 by Lionel for use with these systems, MRC has some issues with bell & whistle features and may not work properly with modern whistle & circuit boards.
For the Coor’s train to run in command mode and access all it features you must have the DCS 4.0 or 4.1 to access all features, this is according to the pro’s at Ready To Roll in Miami FL. TMCC or Legacy can not work with the new MTH PS-2 loco’s. At best you may access a few featuresof PS-2 with Legacy system, there is a compatibilty issue with MTH & Lionel.
Just for your info, unless the older equipment has some form of command control built-in it will only work with the transformer, it will fly around your layout as conventional doesn’t recognize command control signals. Command control runs between 15 & 18 volts to the tracks constantly and sends a signal to the loco that is so equipped and will control it by command control. Also I had an accident with DCS and a PS-2 loco sending track voltage across a normally unpowered siding, voltage is going into the TMCC or DCS equipped loco and when the loco makes a bridge across an open circuit your non TMCC or non DCS loco will take off like a rocket.
Lee F.