Good evening, I have read several posts on the topics of MTH TIU's and Z4000 Transformers posted here on the forum and have come to appreciate the insight and knowledge that several forum members have on these topics.
So with that said here we go,
I have a MTH TIU Revision 13 that I purchased back in December 2006 from Jim's Train Shop in Homer City.
I remember Mr Jim Sutter sliding the box with the DCS System across the counter and saying to my wife and I take it home, read the instructions and hook it up. thats all that I can tell you !
At the time the layout then, which was powered by a MTH Z4000 and just running my MTH Proto 2 engines in Conventional Mode, I made the wiring connections to the track loops in a somewhat "star pattern" so at the first attempt the DCS System worked and worked well. it was then and to me still is one of the best things to happen to Ogauge Modeling.
Since that layout and a different home with a large basement this same TIU with the "4.3 Software Version in place" and Handheld Remote has been working flawlessly on my current layout which is a quite larger in size compared to my original layout. This TIU and Remote was only updated one time at York by the late Marty Fitzhenry himself.
Currently I operate my MTH PS2 and PS3 Pennsy Steam engines with no problems even with some of the Steam Engines in lashup situations and at times a pusher engine at the rear of the train.
I power the TIU with a Radio Shack Power source as suggested in the Ogauge Railroading Video about the MTH DCS System host by Rich Melvin.
I also have (1) AIU which I have connected to many of my turnouts which are Ross with Z Stuff motors and signals which are MTH and Z Stuff on my layout and these items worked flawlessly thru the single AIU.
Now that you have a idea how I run my layout the question I want ask is this.
My current TIU ( Revision 13) is it on borrowed time and would it be wise to purchase a newer TIU ( Revision L ) just as a backup ???
I am not sold on the MTH WIFI system. Its neat but I am not interested or sold on going down that path.
Maybe I am old school, but the MTH Handheld Remote works just fine for me. I have gotten to the point when running my railroad I don't have to look at the remote to know what buttons I want to push to make things work on my locomotives and layout. I do have a spare handheld remote in stock just in case my original handheld remote fails so I am covered on this issue.
I always try to work on the principle "if it works don't mess with it" but I am starting to get concerned with the things I read about MTH and its future in the model railroad market place !
Let me know your thoughts good or bad on the TIU Issue, and thanks in advance !!
Stay safe out there and Happy Holidays !!!!!!!
