Initial Load of Data Into DCS System

 Super TIU works very well. I'd use it.  Not sure why you need 3 TIU's in this scenario. It's a decent size layout but not huge. Each channel can handle quite a bit of track as well as multiple electrical blocks. I'm guessing you are running 3 totally independent loops. Each TIU can handle multiple AIU's.

Don,

I don't think I want to run in SUPER TIU mode. I am not sure why I think that.

If you will never move an engine from one TIU's tracks to another TIU's tracks, and you plan to only operate your TMCC engines only on one of your TIU's tracks, then you have little or no need for Super TIU mode.

To load my engines (maybe 45 of them), should I load them all into one remote and copy that into the other two remotes? Or should I load each engine 3 times, repeating the loading process for each engine into each remote?

To limit errors and ensure that every engine has the same DCS ID# in all remotes, definitely add everything (engines, switch track, accessories, Routes, Scenes, etc.) to one remote. Then, backup that remote and restore it into each of your other remotes.

Don,

I have 3 TIUs in Super mode, and I have been very happy with the performance. As Barry said above, if any of your locomotives travels between sections of track controlled by different TIUs then you want to run in Super mode.

It would also make sense to copy the contents of one remote to your other 2. Adding 45 engines will take some time, and you're going to want to have a backup copy of the remote anyway. If you go through the process of backing up a remote then it won't take much additional time to copy it to your other remotes.

John

I have a 20 X 16 layout with one TIU. I use two fixed channels; 12 feeders on one and 10 on the other with the suggested number of track joints. You must not have any table showing or I’m missing something. Works for me. Granted, I only have 6 engines, but I can run 4 if I pay attention😉. 

My layout is 35x16.  2 TIUs, using 6 TIU channels, and 4 remotes.  Although I sometimes fail, I try to not have more than 6 engines running at once on my intersecting routes because my reactions are getting slower with age.

I agree with Barry to use super mode, and that cloning through the DCS loader program backup/restore feature is the only sensible way to load engines, switches, accessories and everything else in additional remotes.  After loading the first remote, if you set the softkeys for each engine the way you want them, before backing up, then all remotes will have identical softkey arrangements.  Backing up is also invaluable if you ever have to reset a remote or one gets garbled due to operator error, since you don't have to re-enter everything.

Another question....if you learn something new every day, does that mean that you just missed stuff you should have learned the first time? <grin>  THANKS SO MUCH for your great replies! This saves so  much aggravation and wasted energy! 

Yes, I will use super TIU mode and yes, I will load all into one remote and then back up and restore into the others. Both ideas make my life easier. Excellent.

Thanks again for your kind replies and help.

Don Merz

Don, when you start having days in which you learn nothing, you better take action before you moulder.