Is DCS compatible with Stop & Wait Block Power Control ?

I haven't found a solution for this other than to run the engines in conventional mode.  I want the feature too for protected crossings.  I think there is some hope now that several people know the MTH serial port commands and with control through the wifi adapter, but no solutions completed yet to my knowledge.

Mark DiVecchio or Dave Hikel could solve this, but it is probably a matter of priorities.

Could something like this be done?  sure.  Will it be?  I see two problems.  The first is shared with Legacy/tmcc as well, which is that the programing process for such a control option would necessarily be rather complex compared to the simple record and play back offered now.  Both companies tend to design for the least common denominator, so 'complex', If-Then, programing options are not likely to be seen in the near future.  

The second issue is that while it is quite simple to use a computer or Arduino or some such to interface between track sensors (IR, Insulated rail, etc.) and a  TMCC/Legacy base to run a program like this, MTH has still not released, to the public, any way to talk to the TIU.  It may be possible to get in the back door, now, by using the wifi adaptor and simply writing a script that sends commands to the wifi adaptor, but this is a first rate kludge when you could just use the serial port if the information was publicly accessible. 

Assuming you have the technical skills needed to write your own code on a micro-controller or computer, it would not be exceptionally hard to make your own system that reads the various track sensors, then depending on their state sends out commands to start, stop, change speed, etc of the engines.  Again, this is easy with the serial port on TMCC/Legacy,  but a bit more complex with DCS as, at this time, the only way I know to communicate between the outside world and the TIU is through the Wifi interface.  Because of this you would also need your micro-controller/computer to send out commands over wifi or TCP/IP to your home network.  

JGL

P.S.  There are folks out there that have cracked the code to speak directly to the TIU over the serial port, but they tend to get kicked in the face around here whenever they mention it, from what I've seen.  

Doesn't the Lionel system (LCS) allow programmatic control of the layout through track sensors?  I don't have any of that and was only interpreting what I was reading. Also I believe they released their interface spec to the public.  So, my assumption is that it could be done with Lionel.  (I will await my bashing...)

Next hypothesis is that MTH will eventually follow suit to be competitive.  I realize this could take some time.

George, 

The LCS system gives you a bit of limited control, but only in that it will let you program a recorded series of events that will start every time an engine passes over the sensor track.  I don't think you can program it to say:

IF engine 1 passes the sensor THEN  stop engine 1 AND start engine 2,

ELSE IF engine 2 passes the sensor THEN stop engine 2 AND start engine 1.

To the best of my understanding you can only program an exact repetition of timed key presses on the remote that will begin from the moment the engine crosses the LCS sensor.  Conditional programing is not supported.  

JGL

First,  For the speed mismatch, you need to do some maintenance on the engine that is too fast.

I would validate that it is faster than all the MTH engines.  Then clean the tach tape, make sure gap is correct, reload sound file.  Test again.

It also could be the one being caught, if.... wheels dirty, tires bad, mechanical binding.

As far as block control in conventional, you could lock the engine in forward.  When the block re-energizes the engine will start and move forward.  Similar to what has to be done with Lionel, though many later conventional Lionel engines do start in forward after at least a 3-6sec power interruption.

Am I missing something here?  G

Many thanks for the thoughtful replies. 

GGG posted:

First,  For the speed mismatch, you need to do some maintenance on the engine that is too fast.

I would validate that it is faster than all the MTH engines.  Then clean the tach tape, make sure gap is correct, reload sound file.  Test again.

It also could be the one being caught, if.... wheels dirty, tires bad, mechanical binding.

As far as block control in conventional, you could lock the engine in forward.  When the block re-energizes the engine will start and move forward.  Similar to what has to be done with Lionel, though many later conventional Lionel engines do start in forward after at least a 3-6sec power interruption.

Am I missing something here?  G

G. 

On the speed mismatch...  I have MTH Diesel SD60 and Camel Back Steam engines which are worst case and I found I have a track problem where the Camel Back looses traction with more than 3 cars being pulled.  Working on that one.

When using conventional mode I have found that I can't depend much on where the Engine stops each time at the same speed when I encounter a insulated track switch.  Using an older Lionel conventional it also stops at a different position.  Maybe I'm being too critical?????  Thanks for helping me.   Dick