Test Track available at York?

I have never seen a DCS/Legacy test facility at York.  I think you're out of luck.

Maybe someone will correct me, but I have a strong feeling that no one will.

- walt

I agree with Walt - I've never sen one. However, you can make your own DCS test track,with one caveat.

Just bring with you a DCS Remote Commander set and a pair of wires with alligator clips. You can then attach them in passive mode to any test track and operate PS2 or PS3 engines. The only caveat is that these engines must be factory-fresh or factory reset in order to be operated by the DCS Remote Commander.

One other possible source of a command control test track might be the cub layout that's generally in the Black Hall.

Well, if you're in the Orange Hall, you might take the item to the nice folks at the Lionel or MTH booths and ask politely if you could give it a quick run on their layout.

If there is a 3 rail layout in the Black Hall you could also ask those guys. We checked out a few TMCC engines for folks when were set up there. Some clubs (Pittsburgh??) are able run Legacy and DCS too.

Pete

A few years back (I forget if it's recurred), there was a TIU set up on the Orange Hall at the test track near the door next to Atlas.  I don't know who took the initiative to include it.

I'd agree that while it's a bit bulky, it would not be a huge deal to bring a base/remote with an alligator clip in order to check something.  (I'd also probably bring a short extension cord for the power adapter for a TMCC/Legacy base depending on how the power hookup is at the test track table)

-Dave

Hello all,

There are two test tracks in the Orange Hall that have MTH's DCS system set up.  All of the other halls have a test track without DCS.

The good folks at MTH were nice enough to donate the DCS systems to the Eastern Division several years ago.

I know specifically about this as my father and I are the ones responsible for setting up and maintaining the test tracks at York.

Hope this helps.

Tom

Thanks for your input and info, Tom, and thanks to you and your dad for taking care of the test track setup.

Tom,

I know specifically about this as my father and I are the ones responsible for setting up and maintaining the test tracks at York.

That's great news! Where in the Orange Hall are the test tracks?

The one is located near the large roll-up door on the side of the Orange Hall facing the Brown Hall.  It is in a room separate from the main hall (the room used for washing animals during the fair).  The other is located on the opposite side of the Orange Hall near where Atlas has their display set up.

Many thanks to all who have contributed to this posting. 

Tom, I knew about those  test tracks in the Orange Hall but I did not know that one could use them to check MTH's operating products that use DCS.  I'm not that much of an electrical guy...does this mean that one could also check Lionel TMCC/Legacy products on those same test tracks.  That is, one can run TMCC/Legacy using the DCS system as MTH advertises?

Steve

Only if a command base for Legacy or TMCC is also there with the serial port hooked up to the TIU.  The TIU does not directly command the Lionel engines, it sends commands to the Lionel base to do so.

-Dave

As an alternative or back up plan for the other halls that don't have DCS/TMCC test tracks, you could ask the seller if it works completely or if they would be willing to take it back if it didn't function. Get their info and make sure they are planning to be back. Sure, no guarantees but recourse thru TCA would be at least a little help.

My apologies Steve for giving you an incorrect answer.

I haven't bought a PS2 engine at York in a few years and there wasn't a track then.  Bad assumption on my part about currently.

- walt