Engines run on TIU dedicated tracks?

Trainman:  I also have a large layout, with all tracks interconnected.  I have both DCS and conventional locos and can run either anywhere on the layout.  the layout is split into 70+ blocks, each controlled through a toggle switch on a control panel, fed through six TIU channels.  Four are variable and two are fixed.  The fixed channels are fed by AZ 4000 couple to AZ 4000 receiver, so that the track voltage on all six channels is controllable from the remote.  I have a common ground run all around the layout--no star wiring.

 

if I want to run conventional, I simply use the remote to control the track voltage on each of the six channels independently.  If I am running a DCS loco, I leave the track voltage set up around 16-18 V and run the locomotive through the normal procedure.  There are no special toggle switches that have to be thrown to accomplish this.  Since each channel feeds many blocks, I can run several conventional logos on the same loop, using toggle switches to keep them apart.

 

The short answer to your question is, if you wire the layout for DCS (star wiiring with blocks) and wire in toggles to turn on and off any engine's siding that you might want to, you can run DCS, TMCC or conventional all on the same tracks, even at the same time.

 

For the long answer, you should pick up a copy of The DCS O Gauge Companion 2nd Edition. It has an entire chapter dedicated to running conventional trains under DCS, with all the details you'll need to know.

 

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!

I bought the book and read it. That's where my confusion begins. I'll read it again.

 

When you control the Z-4000, which, BTW, I also use, with the remote (which I also have), where is it varying the voltage to the tracks; through the fixed voltage or the variable voltage TIU outputs? In the wiring chapters it states that you have to either wire the fixed outputs or variable to a track loop. That seems to imply that those loops are now dedicated to either conventional or DCS respectively. But then I'm reading that with z4track, you can apply a variable voltage everywhere. Is that correct?

When you control the Z-4000, which, BTW, I also use, with the remote (which I also have), where is it varying the voltage to the tracks

If you're talking about the Z4000 Remote Commander receiver plugged into a Z4000 being used with Z4K Tracks, the voltage adjustment is done in the Z4000.

 

If you're using TIU Tracks with variable channels,, the voltage adjustment is done in the TIU.

Ah... so what you're saying is that the transformer varies the voltage going to the TIU input which is then passed through the fixed voltage output posts. It changes the why the TIU operates the locos. Is that correct? Would you then not have to use any of the variable voltage outputs from the TIU if you're using the z4track feature?

Trainmn, sorry if I wasn't clear.  There is an add-on device called the Z4000 receiver that plugs into the Z4000 and controls the voltage output from the Z4000.  The control is internal; to the Z4000; power does not pass through the receiver.  It is a rock-solid device, and can be controlled from either the DCS remote or from a special remote.  You do not have to buy the special remote if you have the DCS remote.  It provides excellent control of conventional trains, and appears not to alter the wave form as does the variable outputs of a TIU.

Yes! I have that receiver. I've used the Z4000 remote for years since it was introduced. I don't think I have to buy anything else in that regard.

I think RJR has you fixed up.Fortunately you have a Z-4000 and the receiver seems the route to go. Trying  to run convention with the var channels and dcs remote doesn't work well with more than one channel at a time

Ah... so what you're saying is that the transformer varies the voltage going to the TIU input which is then passed through the fixed voltage output posts. It changes the why the TIU operates the locos. Is that correct? Would you then not have to use any of the variable voltage outputs from the TIU if you're using the z4track feature?

Yes!