Inside every Lionel Fastrack switch is a complete TMCC circuit board, here’s a picture:
But I can’t find any information anywhere on the net or from Lionel about how to actually make this built-in TMCC do something, nor has direct control of Fastrack switches ever been mentioned as a feature of Legacy (as far as I can tell). Does anyone have the inside scoop on what’s up?
[#welcome] to the board!
I don’t think the FasTrack switches have a TMCC board installed, the board you show is simply the control mechanism. From what I have read you still need a ASC or SC-2 to control the switches, in TMCC-I and TMCC-II.
I also wondered about the purpose of the board. It seems like an expensive overkill to simply control the turnout. If I recall properly, the circuit board also has a connector that is not connected to anything external to the board. I suspect that there are plug-in expansion possibilities with that board connected to either TMCC or Legacy.
Earl
I am totally unfamiliar with the Fastrack switches but have you tried looking at the Lionel customer service site. Maybe under the part number listings the description will give some sort of an idea to it’s purpose. [X-)]
There is a socket for something like the “dummy board” used in some of the operating cars or railsounds cars. AKA a TMCC transciever. The product has not been formally anounced so it can be files with the extra terminal on the TPC’s that has not been explained other than it is reserved for future use. A FastTrack switch with an onboard receiver module would make floor layouts even more Command COntrol friendly, aka no need to an SC-2/ASC to operate them.
Am I correct in assuming that you will need to have a Legacy Receiver on the switch and be able to control it be using the Legacy remote and not having to hand wire the switch?
Lee F.
Nobody knows if that board has expansion capabilities, other then Lionel, and they aren’t saying.
What about powering the switch or Legacy receiver? Or is it too early again to know anything from the Lion?
Lee F.
Lee,
The only people that even know this port exists are those of us that have opened the switches and looked inside, and Lionel. Only Lionel knows what this port is intended to do and they have not released ANY information on this, and most likely have no intent to do so. So anything that is written here is merely pure speculation or wishful thinking.
Now IMHO, this would make a good investigative story for CTT? [;)]
Legacy allows for expanded control of devices. It still uses the base frequencies and protocols found in TMCC. When the new Legacy locomotives are released, you will be able to control non Legacy functions from a CAB-1 and an original TMCC command base. A new Legacy controller and command base will also be able to control all of the older pre-Legacy command equipment with the exception of the original PowerMasters. The only reason those can’t be controlled by Legacy command base and controller is the new system does not have the direct RF circuitry to support the PowerMaster. PowerMaster’s were the first part of TMCC released back in 1994. You could buy PM’s and CAB-1’s and control conventional loco’s remotely. All devices released AFTER 1994 run through the Command base either by track RF or the serial port.
Well, if it is not a TMCC board, then it is kind of odd that it contains a chip labeled “TMCC Radio”. See a high-resolution version of the photo here.
I don’t think that is a chip. I think that is a connector, possibly for an add-in board.
Earl
You’re right – it is indeed just a connector. I Googled the numbers on those other components, and they are a power supply, a photocoupler, some capacitors and resistors, and four discrete transistors. So all this circuitry is simply to make the switch work smoothly at varying voltages, and (it appears) to enable a future upgrade to an internal TMCC board. Mystery solved! (But talk about overengineering!)
