New Layout update video/questions

Hi Todd,

I just watched your video and have one question. Do you plan to only run MTH engines?

Dave

Hi Dave, since I missed out on the Lionel Brass Hybrid Mikado, I think so. That was about the only locomotive in the past 10 years to strongly make me think about non MTH stuff. I have thought about DCC, so that I could retrofit locomotives more easily, but with the space limits and amount of MTH items I am leaning towards MTH only at this point....

Todd,  Just a couple of comments.  Looks like you have about every MTH device out there.  The TIU or Explorer would be the way to go.  On the back of your TIU what revision is it.  It is recommended to have Rev L.  If it is an earlier revision, that may be the problem.  I have used all except the Commander, which like you say is old and not supported any more.  My suggestion is to wait and see if some of the DCS experts chime in.  Hopefully some of them will see this tomorrow.  I'm typing at 12:25 am, technically tomorrow Tuesday.  The more we keep this going, the better chance someone picks up on it who can ask better questions to dig into your issues.

I had to learn like you after running HO, N, HOn3, On3 conventional trains.  DCS can be flaky until you get the knack, then things go much smoother.

Thanks Mike. We are on the same page.

Mr Muffins Trains has a good video on the DCS wiring on YouTube. Even with his experience, one DCS layout worked fine with common bus wiring while the next did not...it's just technically strange to me. MTH recommends STAR wiring, so that's what I am going to do. As far as what system to use, I think I will get the track down and wired-up. If I can get the DCS Commander working good, I will stick to that for now, if not, I will probably purchase the Explorer. On another note, I saw a video where a guy was using a "PRO THROTTLE". If you haven't seen this thing, just type it into the Youtube search and check it out, awesome! Unfortunately, from looking on the web, it's made for use with dcc only.....has me thinking

BTW, the TIU is the older version....

Todd, I'm hoping some others can fill in the blanks on the problems with the older TIU.  I came to DCS long after the Rev L was the standard, and I do just basic stuff with it.  Since you are familiar with DCC, you may have a point going with it.