Converting Lionel switches to TMCC

[rick486]

Lionel has now (I believe) come out with TMCC electric switches without have to use the SC-2 "box"...I guess the individual switches, running off track power, get the signal directly with built-in electronics.

My question is, I guess it's probably too much to ask if Lionel has a retro-fit component to convert Fastrack electric switches to the new TMCC. Or does anyone have any ideas on how to do so...I tried the "Z-stuff" controller but couldn't get it to work.

thx.

Rich

[wmwalker]

Rich
Lionel did not make any retro-fit for the fast track switches. I knew they were coming out with the new switches but not realize they were out yet.

[pmilazzo]

Originally, Lionel was going to have a TMCC "addon" for the Fastrack switches. Every Fastrack switch has etchings where the TMCC would go if it existed. They also had plans to just build the TMCC into the new Fastrack switches. In a rush to get their Fastrack switches to market, Lionel decide to produce all the switches without the TMCC option.

Later on, it was decided that a user addon TMCC was not feasible and needed to be factory installed, so the addon idea was scraped and the new TMCC ready fastrack switches are just now hitting the market at a significant up charge.

As far as I can tell, the sc2 is still the only option for all other switches if you want TMCC other than buying the new TMMC built in Fastrack ones or buying the Ross switch machines with TMCC.

[wmwalker]

Paul
Thanks for this great information and update. I did not realize that Lionel had started in the mode for a customer to upgrade. Thanks :)