How Old Is Your DCS System?

I run in Super mode and have 3 on the layout. All 3 are different versions. Still running the 1st one I bought without internal fuses when it first came out.  Other than taking the covers off to place the antenna upright. They have never been off. All the remotes still function. Never had an issue with them such as loose boards.

 All 3 get the new software updates. I'm from the old school. If it ain't broke. Don't fix it. I've been known to skip upgrades and can honestly say. I have no idea what versions in there now.

I am still running a rev H TIU and remote that I got back in 2002. Other than replacing a couple of internal fuses there have been no issues. I also have a rev Ia that I use for trains under the Christmas tree and for testing purposes.

I have several TIUs...but, am still using one,  original Rev H (I believe that's correct) with software updates.  If I recall correctly, I sent that TIU back to MTH so they could do an internal upgrade...something to do with that internal fusing...shortly after the TIU was released.  Otherwise, it is original...as I typed...with the software upgrades.

I am sure I am missing "a whole world of wonderful things" by not switching over to the Rev L TIU...but, am satisfied with what I have.  I think I am almost afraid to upgrade or change the thing because it might screw something up and never work right again.

I guess it is kind of like my smart phone...of which I use only about 10% of its capabilities.

I picked up mine from my dealer at York when they first shipped. She picked her shipment up from MTH on her way to York and gave me mine while I was there. Never had to do anything to it except use it! (knocking on wood). Hopefully it will continue to give great service.

Gene

I bought my TIU and remote about 5 years ago and it still runs good.

Have tried an update but maybe my cables or something was bad, so no updates on it.

I have a new PS-3 engine and want to update my TIU base sometime soon. Will most likely take it to Ready To Roll in north Miami FL for the update.

Lee Fritz

I still have the very first REV.  Bought it about a month after they hit the shelves.

Running current software.  Repaired once for a dead Channel 1.  I'm pretty happy with it.

Good morning, bought my DCS system from Jim's Train Shop in Homer City PA on December 20 2006.

I remember his words when he sold it to me "I don't know much about this just take it home and follow the instructions"

I was fortunate because the wiring on my layout at the time was in a Star Pattern that is recommended fro DCS so everything worked fine.

That layout was disassembled when we sold that house and moved to Indiana PA.

I have had the TIU updated by a local train shop and then again last year my Marty Fitzhenry at the Spring TCA show.

Just added a AIU to operate some signals after Christmas this year and still getting things added to the layout to be operated by the AIU.

Knock on wood had yet to have a problem with the DCS system.

Any problem that I have had with the DCS system have been self inflicted.

For me the DCS System took running trains to a complete and totally new level of fun!!!!

We have one Z-4000 and two TIUs, all over 12 years old.  Only changed a fuse on one TIU.  Everything still works.  However, this is the year for upgrading transformers.

Still have a  original tiu from 02 and a early 2-8-2 that has a 5 volt board  that we purchased before the remote & tiu were available. Ran it with a TPC from IC controls.

Still going  with  no speaker problems.

Purchased mine used on the buy sell board about six years ago.  don't know what rev it is but I'm sure it doesn't have internal fuses.  The former owner had it repaired as one of the channels has burned up traces, new IC and jumpers over the damaged area But it works great.

i too wonder if I should get the rev L 

Mine if first-generation -- one of the group that supposedly flew over here on a cargo plane. Four of us ordered a set, plus one for the club layout and we actually got ours before the local dealers did. That was back in 2002 as I recall. The remote and TIU still work fine with version 4.2 installed.

Bob,

   I had one of the originals with no fuses and it finally developed major problems, when it had these problems Barry suggested I ask MTH to do something about it, and Mike who had his hands in everything back in that era, replaced it totally, sending me the H unit, I sold that one years later, and purchased an l 3.10 unit, which I still own and intend to upgrade some time, and then I purchased another L 4.10 unit also, I use the L TIU and both the Hand held remote Controls, which need to up DCS upgraded again, and I have had the hand helds made fully rechargeable.  Over all, down thru the years, I have been satisfied completely with my DCS units, and believe they are a great way to run all my trains.  My one complaint is that MTH engineering never upgraded their Hand Held Remote controls, making them fully rechargeable and adding one step wireless switch control, eliminating the AIU's.  It's time MTH drove on into the future with a new hand held remote control, that directly controls switches and rolling stock also & is completely rechargeable.

PCRR/Dave  

With six TIUs, all are still in good condition and get regular software upgrades.  The first was a 2002 TIU/Remote set.  The next four TIUs were purchased in 2003.  The newest set used for spare, testing and upgrades was purchased in 2008.

All TIU outputs have individual resettable fuse protection.

 It's time MTH drove on into the future with a new hand held remote control, that directly controls switches and rolling stock also & is completely rechargeable.

PCRR/Dave      Can I add engines?

I purchased mine in 2003, and I have never had any hardware or software problems.  I have updated the software when newer versions came out.

I bought my Rev G from Side Track Hobbies on 6/15/2002.  Still have it, but have not used it since I upgraded to Rev Ls several years.

Gregg,

   Got to admit my Trains are controlled quite well from the DCS hand held, the slow speed control is fantastic, the Brake sounds, Clickty Clack and all the other functions work quite well, including the PFA stuff, which is great stuff also.  However I know what you mean, you sure can't leave train control out of the mix.

PCRR/Dave   

Mine is a newer Rev L from around the summer of 2012 or so. Had the remote commander and a couple of ready to run sets before that. Not very old, but still working just fine. FWIW, I have updated it to 4.30.

Wow, 10+ years on some of these systems is pretty good I'd say.

My 2 VAR channels won't go over to FIXED anymore, but it hasn't kept me from running trains on the 2 regular FIXED channels, those have been working fine.  I'm glad I have GGG nearby in case I do have issues, I may even eventually get him to fix the 2 VAR channels one day.

Some of the problems we read about...remember those old Cox line-control airplanes?  I wonder how many of them got stuffed up in someone's attic because they couldn't get them running?  When in most cases it was because they either weren't giving it enough fuel or too much fuel.

Even with a number of shorts (derailments by not flipping turnouts in my case) my system has been pretty good about working through those issues.

Being a DCS beta tester, Barry and I received the Rev L early and I have the same one today.  I run a Rev L on the workbench also.  I have a new backup in the box.

   Having worked with all of them, the Rev L is the best yet.

I have accumulated several TIU's over the years.  I started selling them last summer.  For some reason, people with bad TIU's give them to me along with bad remotes.   They are always a good parts source.  A while back I dumped a large box of bad remotes on the bench and was able to build two Frankensteins.  I gave Barry one and made the other a bench remote.

I run remotes steam-diesel-electric.  It makes things easy.  I run clones of each.

I am running DCS 4.20, every thing is fine. It is my understanding if you have 4.20 or 4.30, all is fine. Is there any version higher than 4.30? If so what are the improvements?

  See Photo • Click to enlarge.....

A few comments:

If your TIU has fuses or a Rev sticker on the bottom, it is not original issue.

If you've never upgraded from the initial software, you're missing many features.

I doubt there are any original issue TIUs that have been used and have not had to go back.  I was given a DCS set the day they were released.  The original TIUs, known as Rev G, had inadequate components which quickly failed.  MTH repaired both of mine mine within a month or so of my getting them, and they've worked flawlessly since.  The repair did not make them Rev H.

Anybody worn the lettering off their handheld yet?

As an aside, I checked the mileage and time on 4 of my steamers the other day.  The mileage on all 4 was pretty much the same, but the times varied quite a bit.

0-6-0 375 miles 79 hr 42 min (main switcher) avg mph 4.7

2-8-0 385 miles 44 hr 29 min (local freight) avg mph 8.7

2-8-2 448 miles 35 hr 52 min (mainline freight) avg mph 12.5

4-6-0 379 miles 21hr 50 min (passenger) avg mph 17.4

(out of the 4 the 4-6-0 was the latest purchase)

Bob,

   Barry told me my original TIU had Hebrew Scroll Carvings on the bottom, instead of English lettering, it was that old.

It was originally owned by some guy named King David, and was mailed back to my address by accident.

PCRR/Dave

I can't believe that YOU, of all people, didn't promptly forward it on to its rightful owner.  Shame!

The current setup I am using is a Rev L TIU with a handheld that says c2002 on the screen.  I know that I need to update!  I am planning on buying a completely new setup soon.  

RJR,

   I honestly tried, but the DCS package kept coming back with undeliverable marked in big red letters, something about his address being changed, due to him messing with the wrong woman, from what I understand.  Very complex situation this ancient and modern mail forwarding stuff.

PCRR/Dave

Todd, the remotes haven't really been changed, so there's no point in replacing it unless it is unrepairable.  FYI, the copyright date hasn't changed.

Dave, well, I'll take your word for it.

RJR,

   According to Barry there is something that gets updated in them, it's why my mismatched l 3.10 hand held does funny stuff with my L 4.10 TIU, cost me $90.00 in parts due to a run away conventional engine on my 2nd level, just prior to Christmas.

I definitely see a big difference in using my old hand held with my newer L TIU, it does not match completely right, got to get everything upgraded to the latest changes when the Christmas layout comes down.

PCRR/Dave

Dave, I never said don't upgrade the software.  My original remote & original TIU both are running 4.3.  It takes about 10 minutes to upgrade a remote, so there's no excuse for running yesteryear's software.

RJR,

   You are right, but I do not mess with the upgrading myself, I would probably mess things up for sure, got to much invested in my control system to screw them up.

Would rather have someone who is completely computer savvy do the upgrading to my DCS equipment, I have no luck at all with computer systems and up grading.

PCRR/Dave

It is amazing that, after 15 or so years, the remote hardware has had no publicized change, other than the knurling on the knob, which the TIU hardware has gone through several iterations, more than the revision lettering would indicate. 

RJR,

   Yep it's way past time for MTH to upgrade the DCS Hand held remote control, but it seems they are unwilling to make the engineering changes to make it happen, even Barry says it looks like it will be a long time till we see anything happen.  It's one of the big reasons I added Legacy to my DCS, I wanted wireless switches controlled from a rechargeable remote control, I even had my DCS hand helds upgraded to fully rechargeable remote control units, they now work perfectly, the batteries stay charged 10 times as long, and recharge in a matter of minutes.  I simply switch them on and off the charger every so often, and never have low batteries in the DCS hand held remote controls.  This is an engineering change MTH really needs to incorporate, along with wireless remote control switching from the hand held.

PCRR/Dave

I actually don't think it needs upgrading.  A little polishing perhaps, like a better battery case cover & a stronger thumbwheel.  I have a 2015 car in which the HVAC thermostat is a continuously rotating knob, and like the thumbwheel, it doesn't like being rotated too fast.

As I've said elsewhere, I don't want mine rechargeable. 

Dave,

Let's be clear.

My understanding is that there will not be any new remote hardware in the near term, if ever, until after MTH evaluates the success and popularity of the full-capability DCS app, not scheduled until this Fall, at the earliest.

As far as wireless switch tracks are concerned, it's also unlikely that you'll see that in the near term, or ever, as well. MTH has the AIU, which is arguably the least expensive way to add handheld remote-capable control of switch tracks or accessories to a DCS layout. At a street price of about $4 per device (switch track or accessory), it's much less expensive than any of the various TMCC/Legacy devices that do the same thing wirelessly.

Further, Lionel FasTrack Command Control switches cost (MSRP) $130. I assume that they can directly connect to a Legacy system without any wiring or additional devices, correct?. If not, the economics are so far apart that there's no real comparison to be made.

MTH RealTrax switches are (MSRP) $75. Now, add $5 (MSRP) for an AIU port.

For the $50/switch track difference (MSRP), I'll do a little wiring.  

Wow!  I don't follow Lionel, Barry, but that would mean if I replaced all 46 of the switches on my layout, I'd be talking $6000!.  Plus the cost of the control system!  All this to avoid running a 2-conductor cable.

Gargraves remote switches can be had for about $50, and a $110 AIU will handle 10.  I actually only have 25 of mine connected in to an AIU, which means that the remaining 21, controllable only from the control panel, are operational for 1/3 the cost of wireless.  Running 2 wires, or a single 2-conductor cable, from a control panel or AIU, or both, to a switch isn't rocket science.  Using DZ1000's, 24 gauge is adequate.

I like the current DCS remote too, I have recently replaced the thumbwheel and it is just like new. That's probably the weakest link, IMO. I have another one in my parts kit, just in case. I always order an extra or two of most everything.  

I originally started out to use an AIU. After getting my switches hooked up to their remote buttons, I really kind of like them that way. Still thinking about getting an AIU for route switching someday?

Barry,

   Lets get this into cost reality, the 048 and larger FT CC switches can be purchased thru Charlie Nassau each February for 89.00 each, with free shipping to your door.  This gives the FasTack owner complete low voltage wireless switch control, with either the TMCC Cab1 or Legacy Cab2 remote control systems, the cost catch here is actually already owning the DCS, so you can run controlled block wiring, to operate 99 FT CC switches via track power.  If you already own FasTrack this eliminates the need for any AIU or all the wiring of any switches.  Now if you already own a different track system, it's much more expensive to change over.  However I do have RealTrax on part of my Christmas layout, and plan to transition in and out of the new 031 FasTrack CC switches, if they ever come in, for my 3rd level.  I will let you know what kind of expense this really adds up too, when I actually insert the FT CC switches, into my RealTrax ovals.  I believe these smaller FT CC switches will only cost about $48.00 a piece.  IMO if you own FasTrack & DCS already, use the FT CC Switches, add the Legacy or TMCC and go completely wireless remote control, it works perfectly even with P2 Tin Plate Trains & Legacy engines also.

PCRR/Dave

Dave,

If you're going to discount the FasTrack switches by 25% and exclude shipping charges (and sales tax), lets do the same with the RealTrax switches and the AIU, as well.

That makes the RealTrax switch $56.25 plus $3.75 for an AIU port. That's $60 vs. $89, or $29 per switch track. For that difference, I'd still do my 100 switch layout, from scratch, with AIUs and save $2,900.

As far as smaller radius sFasTrack switches are concerned, as best I could tell from Lionel's web site, they cost about the same (MSRP) as the O48's.

The FasTrack switches may toast your twinkles just fine, however, I see them as just being a considerably more expensive solution that isn't worth the extra expense for the sake of doing a little less wiring.