27 Collectable Model Trains: Transformers: What's the deal with thosenew Lionel units?
Description
This article is from the Model Trains FAQ, by Christopher D Coleman with numerous contributions by others.
27 Collectable Model Trains: Transformers: What's the deal with thosenew Lionel units?
The "TrainMaster" system is made up of several separate units
each inside their own plastic housing.sPowerHouse (PH-1) is the
135 Watt step down transformer. It has one cord to the wall
outlet and one to as1/4" miniplug (headphone type). It includes a
power switch and a manual reset circuit breaker. It can
besreplaced with most any standard AC transformer with a circuit
breaker (set at 7-9 amps) and a 21 volt or moresmax output. An
available adapter cord with a 7 amp in-line fuse can connect it
to PM-1.
PowerMaster (PM-1) is the track voltage level control unit. It
has a female jack to connect with PH-1 and twoslugs for track
connection wires. PM-1 has no controls of its own but is
controlled by radio frequency by thesCAB-1 unit. One unit is
needed for each insulated block of track you wish to control
independently. EachsPM-1 requires an independent power source,
for example a KW can supply two.
Command Base performs the same function as PM-1, except does it
by transmitting encoded digital commandssdown the rails to
specially equipped locomotives and to SC-1 units (described
later). It also receives RFssignals from CAB-1, but sends only
signals down a track whose power is controlled by another means
(asPM-1 or conventional transformer). Unlike PM-1, only one
Command Base is required for and entire layout.sCommand Base
requires it's own power supply which is provided.
Switch and Accessory Controller (SC-1) is controlled by the
digital commands relayed by Command Base.sSC-1 has switch control
lugs on it for the control of four switches and two on-off for
accessories.
CAB-1 is the remote controller which contains all controls and
sends signals to PM-1 and Command Base. It operates on radio
frequencies similar to those of RC cars using a telescoping
antennae. It requires a single 9sVolt battery and has a 1/4" jack
in the top for connecting The Big Red Switch (detailed
later). There are 26scontrols on it. It contains a large red
throttle knob, a numeric keypad, and buttons for direction,
bell,swhistle/horn, boost (accelerates while the button is
pressed, then resumes previous speed), brake (overridessthe
available momentum setting), front coupler, rear coupler, aux 1
and aux 2. There is a small red button labeled "halt" which is an
emergency stop for the whole system.
There are buttons across the top labeled SW, ACC, RTE, TR, and
ENG which set the mode to the transmitter. TR is pressed followed
by 1 through 9 or 0 for 10 on the keypad to designate which PM-1
(andsthus which track block) is to be controlled. In this mode
whistle/horn, bell, direction, boost and brake aresoptions. ENG
followed by number 01 through 99 or 00 for 100 selects which
digital receiver equippedslocomotive you wish to control through
the Command Base. all the TR commands plus front and rear
couplersare available, except here they control only a single
engine no matter where it is, rather than any engine in
asparticular block). Similarly SW and 01 through 99 or 00 for 100
selects a switch controller in an SC-1 andsACC and 01 through 49
or 00 for 50 selects an accessory controller on a
SC-1. Presumably aux 1 (straight orson) and aux 1 (diverging or
off) control switches and accessories when in SW or ACC modes.
So with a single CAB-1 you can control 10 track blocks (using 10
PM-1's), 100 digital receiver equippedslocomotives (using a
single Command Base), 100 switches and 50 accessories (using 25
SC-1's in conjunctionswith the same Command Base).
A few details are still fuzzy, such as how to set which digital
receiving locomotive, which PM-1 and whichsSC-1 corresponds to
which number on CAB-1; the function of the RTE button; how to set
the availablesmomentum (simulates train weight by dragging out
responses to commands) and stall (sets the minimum voltagesto a
particular unit to a level where the unit just stalls so the
e-unit will not cycle and to make starts and stopsssmooth).
Also available is "The Big Red Switch", a large, red pressure
sensitive pad which plugs into the CAB-1 jack tosoperate
whichever function was last executed on the CAB-1.
The Idea of the system is to have a PH-1 and PM-1 pair connected
to each block of track to control thesvoltage level for
conventional locomotives. If all your locos are digital receiver
equipped, a PM-1 would not besrequired, but would still be a good
idea. This way you can set locomotive 1 to, say, 70% throttle and
leave itsthere if you have your straightaway blocks set to 20
volts and your curved blocks set to 12 volts (kind of
likessetting speed limits). Although you only need one CAB-1, you
can have more than one for division ofsresponsibilities between
engineers.
A few quirks exist in the system. For one the RF frequency is the
same as CB Channel 23, so you maysexperience rouge commands near
main highways. Also compatibility with other systems is
nil. MTHswhistles/horns blow continuously when connected to any
part of the system and QSI control units are totallysconfused by
it. New QSI offering are compatible with TrainMaster, but no
conversion is available for oldersones. A workaround for MTH
locomotive has been found, involving seting the stall
speed. Contact a LionelsAuthorized Dealer for details. On the
whole it is an excellent system with a few bad spots.
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