*Command Control Box

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In January 2020, I moved the Command Control System to permanent location in the Car Barn.

See the video on my YouTube channel.

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To power my layout, I wanted a design that is easy to transport and easy to hook up to the layout. I made up this command control box. See (Episode 5) for the command control box construction. The portable control box may vary if your layout will have command control or conventional track power. My layout utilizes the Lionel Legacy Command Control System, with 180 watt powerhouse brick. I also have and transformer for the  signal, switching and area lighting accessories. Using a cat-5 computer cable, I am able to power the four remote switches via the Lionel SC-2 (6-22980) switch and accessory controller. To control the remote switches, I ran two 22 gauge wires from the SC-2 controller to each remote switch, along with my 22 gauge hot wire already in my bundle of hot leads running around the complete layout. With the switch always hot, I am able to control the grounding direction through the SC-2 controller.  The switches wiring is independent  to the track power system, as is the other accessory systems. 

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The command control box is completely portable, with an layout outdoor, you want to keep as much of the electrical hardware out of the elements, only bringing out when you are operating the layout. The plug and play of barrel connector and Cat-5 cable make a easy reliable connection to power up your layout.

 

The main track electrical fuse protection for the layout is in the Lionel TMCC Direct LockOn

(6-34120), which receives the current from the Lionel 180 watt Powerhouse Power Supply

(6-22983). From the portable control box I can monitor the track condition by looking at the indicator light on the TMCC Direct LockOn.  Green representing normal operation, Red indicating a short on the track.

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