I don't know how long this will stay on the 1st page of the forum, however, I thought some of our newer DCS operators might appreciate knowing what's in The DCS O Gauge Companion 2nd Edition.
CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE TABLE OF CONTENTS AND TABLE OF FIGURES!
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For any new folks, I recommend the book.
Trapp
I personally don't own a copy but have seen the book and for the money he's charging you are getting a bargain. There is lots of information. Look at the table of contents posted...
I give Barry some good ribbin' over his "This and a lot more" line but it really is true.
Tomas,
Barry is there a free version of the book
No, however, at 215 pages (with more than 60 illustrations), $12.95 equates to just about 6 cents a page.
Cheap enough? 
I have dcs I'm wondering what's in their 13 dollars for a PDF file is very high priced and I'm wondering an tips or something new in there I don't no of
I'd be willing to bet that at least 2/3 of the material in the book is new to you, and quite possibly even more.
It's well worth the $$$.
There's so many posts on the forum referencing pages in the book that you really need it to follow along. I don't think I would have ever figured out how to run conventional engines via DCS without it.
Besides, most of us spend way more than that for stuff we really don't need.
Tomas,
Matter of fact when you put it that way yes that is cheap
OK, so you know what to do next, correct?
I too have learned a lot about DCS by following this forum. For years. But I bought the book and learned more, in an organized and orderly fashion.
A comparison that might work: What if you saw highlights of a movie piecemeal and in any order, spread out over weeks or months. You'd get some sense of the movie but it's not until you see the movie in its entirety, in the order that it was meant to be viewed, that you "get" the movie.
Same with the forum and Barry's book. Piecemeal versus the whole enchilada at once.
- walt
Proto 3 ready to run set $399
DCS TIU and remote $279
Barry’s DCS O Gauge Companion $12.95
Years of enjoyment Priceless!
I think the book is very useful.
Trapp
Tomas,
Matter of fact when you put it that way yes that is cheap
OK, so you know what to do next, correct?
Was this a Jedi Mind trick?
Thomas,
Here's the link to Barry's book - now you don't have to wait or "Go Looking" for it as you stated above...
http://www.mthtrains.com/content/60-1279
You order it directly from MTH - actual book $29.95 + S/H or PDF file for $12.95
If you order the PDF, you will be sent an email within 15 minutes with instructions on how to download the file.
Best,
Dave
Ben,
Was this a Jedi Mind trick?
"These aren't the droids you're looking for..."
How does any intelligent DCS operator even question whether he or she should own this work. It has gotten me out of many scrapes with no outside assistance and it will do the same for you. No, I am not Barry Broskowitz' publicist.
Bob Di Stefano
Bob,
No, I am not Barry Broskowitz' publicist.
Would you like the job?
What's the difference between Ver 1 and Ver 2 of the book? I've the Ver 1 and it serves me well for my DCS setup.
Kerrigan,
The 2nd edition added about 25% more content (47 pages), including more than a dozen new figures. Included in the new edition was
Additionally, I cleaned up a couple of errors and more than 100 typo's.
Just compare the tables of contents of the two editions and you'll quickly see that the 2nd edition is more complete and more encompassing than its predecessor.
If I could add... I also follow this forum and some G scale ones where DCS is used. I think I'm pretty familiar with the basics but I've printed this book out and referred to it often. It's very handy to have when adding something new, changing the setup around, or trouble shooting. My memory doesn't always fire as fast. I've got chapters marked they help to speed things up. The forum is a great resource in addition.
Now if I could appeal to Barry's humoristic side and get him to add cartoons.............
Ah, or maybe not.
Joe,
Now if I could appeal to Barry's humoristic side and get him to add cartoons.............
With more than 5 dozen figures, can't you find at least one that makes you laugh?
Picked up the full Lionel Legacy system yesterday. Ordered Barry's book from Amazon today (I prefer hard copy books) so I can figure out how to properly connect and use Legacy on my DCS layout which, by the way, has been performing just fine with DCS.
I have two DCS and one Legacy locomotive chasing each other around the large loop right now, they are all happy playing together. 
Remember Allan, use the Legacy remote for your Legacy engines. Otherwise it's like watching using a standard TV to watch a high definition program.
Remember Allan, use the Legacy remote for your Legacy engines.
That's my general plan. I just need info on how to hook-up Legacy so I do it right. I'm currently using MTH DCS, with a Z750 brick powering the TIU and a Z4000 providing the track power. I'm just using Variable 1 on the TIU t present, but plan to connect my new Rev L DCS via Fixed 1.
I'm just not sure how/where to connect the Legacy Base to that same track loop.
Allan,
I'm just not sure how/where to connect the Legacy Base to that same track loop.
The following is from page 122 of The DCS O Gauge Companion 2nd Edition:
Wiring for TMCC on a DCS Layout
Regardless of the method of control chosen, either Lionel command base is wired by connecting it's "one wire" to the tracks as instructed in its documentation. Alternatively, the Command Base's "one wire" can be connected to the TIU channel output Common (black) terminal of each channel on which TMCC engines will operate. If it is connected in this way, it is important to note that only the original, Rev. G TIU has the Common terminals of all channels connected internally and later revisions of the TIU do not. If a TIU other than a Rev. G is used, all Common (black) terminals of TIU channel outputs should be connected together, and to the Command Base, to ensure that the TMCC signal is present on all channels. Alternately, the "one wire" can be connected to any one powered TIU channel as long as all the transformers that are providing power to TIU
channels are in phase and have one of their Common terminals connected to the Common terminals of all of the other track power transformers.
Regardless, if both the TMCC and Legacy Command Bases are both to be connected to a TIU, only the "one wire" from the Legacy Command Base should be connected as described above.
If control of TMCC engines from the DCS Remote is desired, the MTH cable is connected between the Serial Port on the TIU and the Serial port on a Lionel command base. If both the TMCC and Legacy Command Bases are to be connected to the layout, the TIU is connected to the Legacy Command Base. Regardless, only one command base is connected to one DCS TIU.
There are a couple of wiring diagrams, as well.
This and a whole lot more is all in "The DCS O Gauge Companion 2nd Edition", now available for purchase as an eBook or a printed book from MTH's web store site! Click on the link below to go to MTH's web page for the book!
Joe,
Now if I could appeal to Barry's humoristic side and get him to add cartoons.............
With more than 5 dozen figures, can't you find at least one that makes you laugh?
What page has that picture of the DCS onion???
Don't I need this, as well? (from the MTH website)...
Note: DCS cannot control Legacy equipped locomotives in command mode but does not have access to Legacy-specific features. All normal TMCC features can be accessed with DCS 4.0 and later models.
They appear to have a typo in that last paragraph where it states "DCS cannot control Legacy equipped locomotives in command mode..." I assume it should read "DCS can control..."
What Track are you using?
One wire for legacy in some track.
Two wires in other track.
Meaning after it goes to all channels on DCS output and to the terminal block, the wire to the electric district common hooks up to both out side rails on Ross, Gargraves, atlas track.
You need the common Black wire on both outside rails as the Legacy uses both outside rails to give the correct command control signal broadcast. Fast track, MTH track and Lionel tin track have the outside rails in each track connected in each track. You need to connect both outside rails together in all power districts as we have gargraves track that has no ties of the outside rails.
Lionel tech video
http://www.lionel.com/customer....cfm?documentid=6355
The drawing shows the both outside rails are needed to boardcast legacy and the train drives thru the signal 2 inchs off the track.
Barry's book and surrport is well worth the cost even at 50.00.
**** we all be lost with out Barry.
BUY THE BOOK instead of aspirin they cost about the same.
Zigmont,
You need the common Black wire on both outside rails as the Legacy uses both outside rails to give the correct command control signal broadcast.
No, you do not. That's incorrect.
Allan,
Don't I need this, as well? (from the MTH website)...
TIU/TMCC-Legacy 6' Connector CableProduct Number: 50-1032
Only if you desire to control your TMCC and Legacy engines from the DCS Remote. If you plan to use only the Legacy Cab-2 to control your TMCC and Legacy engines, you do not need the cable.
As I stated above:
If control of TMCC engines from the DCS Remote is desired, the MTH cable is connected between the Serial Port on the TIU and the Serial port on a Lionel command base. If both the TMCC and Legacy Command Bases are to be connected to the layout, the TIU is connected to the Legacy Command Base. Regardless, only one command base is connected to one DCS TIU.
Lionel Tech video
http://www.lionel.com/customer....cfm?documentid=6355
Lionel Tech video, Says you do. I just read and follow directions. The drawing was from the lionel tech explaining how the legacy signal boardcast. I followed your book and lionel Videos for instructions.
End of my knowledge.
Okay...thanks..I believe I understand. I currently have FasTrack on that DCS-equipped layout and will only need to run one wire to the (outside) rail and I'll be in business with Legacy so long as I want to use the Cab 2, and not the DCS remote, to control the Legacy/TMCC locomotives.
I'll play with this next weekend, and replace my "older" DCS with the new Rev L at the same time. I have to spend this afternoon in the heat at an outdoor concert.
And now Allan...you have the best of both worlds!
Barry, that was so good you had to say it again?
All it took for my Legacy and DCS to operate together is a wire to the outside rail feed. Of course, with Fastrack or tubular, it gets to the other side pretty quickly.
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