As a collector of pre and post war Lionels I was fascinated by the possibility of operating antique locomotives on a layout that could also operate modern locomotives controlled by digital command systems.  As you may know antique locomotives require at least 18 volts to maintain a smooth speed, and at least 10 volts just to get started.  Some heavy Standard Gauge locomotives require voltages greater than 18 to propel their bulk and several 200 series freight cards at reasonable speeds.  Transformers like the venerable Lionel ZW of the 1950's provided plenty of power, but do not contain the circuit protection provided in modern transformers, such as the MTH Z-4000, to co-exist safely with digital controls. 

I decided to make a visit to my local train store to learn more about the various digital control systems available for O Gauge and Standard Gauge layouts.  Both Lionel and MTH offer digital command systems, TMCC (Lionel's TrainMaster Command Control) and DCS (MTH's Digital Command System).  Lionel's system is available on Lionel and other manufacturer's products who license its use.  DCS is only available on MTH products. DCS controlled layouts may be made compatible with TMCC by using Lionel's TrainMaster Command Base and CAB-1 remote control in conjunction with MTH's TIU (Track Interface Unit).  Since I had interest in both Lionel and TMCC compatible products and MTH Products I decided to use the DCS System.

MTH's DCS System allows operation in both conventional and command mode, which means that you can run antique locomotives in conventional mode and DCS equipped locomotives in command mode as well as TMCC equipped locomotives using the CAB-1 remote.  You may wonder how this is possible, I sure did. The answer is in the TIU, which contains two fixed channels and two variable channels.  Fixed channels support command mode only.  Variable channels support both conventional and command mode. Think of the variable channel in terms of the old Lionel ZW's controls, variable voltage, with a slight twist.  The twist is that you actually set the channel on the Z-4000 at a fixed voltage (shown on a display on the transformer console).  You actually control the voltage through the hand held DCS remote.  Now that"s just too cool!

The command controlled locomotives are controlled on the DCS remote in scale miles per hour, rather than volts.  In actual application you can switch between contol of command and conventional controlled locomotives quite easily with a couple of key strokes on the remote. One signigicant limitation does exist when controlling the conventional locomotives.  Since you control voltage on the entire track, all locomotives on that track will receive the same voltage.  Im sure you know what can happen when you have several conventional locomitives on the same track running at different speeds. That's right, a very expensive collision in 2005 dollars!  Command control locomotives are controlled individually so you can run as many as you wish, subject to the limitations of space on your layout, amperage constraints and your ability to keep track of multiple locomotives (scale speeds aren't exactly the same in each locomotive).

One last point.  You Standard Gauge fans will also be able to enjoy the benefits of command and conventional modes.  MTH poduces many reproductions of famous Lionel and other manufacturers Standard Gauge offerings from the early years of the 20th Century.  They are offered in traditional (conventional) and contemporary (command) configurations.  You can also operate your originals on a DCS System in conventional mode.  Remember that the originals use lots of power, but the Z-4000 is up to the task and can produce up to 22 volts. TIU channels are rated at 12 amps and 190 watts each. 

For more technical information go to either Lionel or MTH's websites.  In a later installment we'll look at programming the TIU, DCS Remote Control and locomotives, to include programming of locomotives converted from Protosound to Protosound 2.0.  In the meantime happy model railroading!

timbuk2002

P.S. Some offerings in the MTH Tinplate Traditions 2006 Catalogue available in May 2006 feature Proto-Sound 2.0 only.  If you seek a reproduction in traditional (conventional) mode your future choices may be limited!