To the best of my knowledge the DCS Commander won't run a TMCC engine. I'm pretty sure you need a full DCS system plus a TMCC command base to run a TMCC engine.

 

It won't work.

Frankly, for a Christmas loop with just one train, where you normally just leave the train running, why not just run conventional. Sooo much easier with less equipment. Sure, you don't have all the control of DCS or TMCC/Legacy controllers, but it this case you don't need it.

MTH Premier are really good engines. They are slightly better bargains than Lionel Legacy but in my experience not quite as durable, but often a bit more detailedmodels. Modern Legacy, however, has noticeably better sound (diesel rumble and steam chuffing) in most cases.

 

Thanks guys. But Lee,...ever since I started running a Lionmaster UP Greyhound Challenger with TMCC around the tree since 2005, there is no going back to conventional. I need the bells and whistles and the crewtalk and the other sounds. What about this? When I want to switch between engines, why don't I just disconnect the wires from the pack of the ZW transformer and wire the other ones on and vice versa. I just can not justify buying that huge TIU that comes with the DCS. Couldn't they have made a smaller TIU for the little guy that doesn't have room for an O scale empire?

 

If I'm not mistaken the commander does not come with its own power supply and uses a line of sight remote with the receiver placed between the power supply and feeder wires. Wiring an under the tree display there should be a simple way to toggle power between the two control systems regardless of what power supply your using. A multi channel transformer such as a zw seems to be the ideal solution, while adding a little nostalgia to the display.
Be aware The Comanders the line of sight remote likes to send signals to Sylvania televisions. So if you have one of those you need to shield the path between the two. Other wise you'll be speeding up the train when you want to turn up the volume on the tv.

 

If you want to run TMCC with DCS you'll still need a TMCC base or TMCC Base-1L to operate TMCC. DCS is digital signal and TMCC uses a radio signal. The TIU connects to the TMCC or Legacy base to run TMCC. If you don't want to do that then you'll have to decide to run MTH or Lionel. As far as the Commander supplying the track power I have no idea.

https://mthtrains.com/50-1033

 

The DCS Remote Commander is a "one trick" pony. It generates the DCS signal in response to commands from the IR remote. It can convey power from a separate transformer with a barrel jack to the track, or you can run it in passive mode with power directly on the tracks. The DCS-RC has no power capability on it's own.

The DCS-RC will also never run a TMCC or Legacy locomotive in any fashion.