The Beauty of DCS

By the way, I posted this while sitting in the dentist chair during breaks from having my teeth drilled. That is the beauty of this Forum. LOL, Arnold

I love DCS too. It really shines and makes the hobby a great place to...uh...play!

Don Merz

Arnold I have been using the MTH DCS System since it was first introduced and I cant remember how long ago that was. I just Googled it and since 2002 that is a long time. I love it in fact I just ordered a second TIU to go with my extra handset.

Rick, sounds like you got your back up TIU around the same time I recently got my 1st, which was included in my DCS Remote Control Set that I purchased from my LHS ((last one they had) about 1 month ago.

I was motivated to get it by my last few Proto 3 engines I purchased during the past year which, IMO, are terrific locomotives, and the imminent closing of MTH.

Besides the prototypically slow smooth performance of Proto 2 and 3 engines running on DCS, the simplicity and flawless performance of the electrocouplers using the DCS Remote greatly enhances switching maneuvers on my layout.

I have come late to the DCS party, but am now as passionately positive as anyone about it.

I have only used the basic Dcs functions, which I am enjoying.  Down the road, I will explore its other functions, especially with "A Little Help With My Friends," that's you folks here on the Forum.

Arnold, great video! But I'm more impressed that you posted this sitting in a dentist chair between having your teeth drilled!!!! When I'm in the dentist chair all I can think about is if they hit oil I am so dead!!!! LOL!!!

Arnold, I have had DCS since about 2015.  I only got my layout to a point I can really start to make good use.  Here is the videos of my first runs over the liftup bridges.

Arnold......I love DCS' speed control and ability to set scale MPH. I have three NYO&W trains running.......but I only have two loops......the F3 passenger consist and the switcher-led work train are in the same loop....but maintain their distance apart.

Peter

Peter, you're light years ahead of me as a model railroader.  After only having DCS for 1 month, I have never run 2 or more locomotives simultaneously on DCS, and am reluctant to try that until I can be shown how to do it by someone in person. I have Mr. Broskowitz' book, am sure he explains multiple train operation on DCS, but still prefer to hold off trying it at this time.

Your video shows the beauty of DCS. Arnold

@Arnold D. Cribari posted:

I have only used the basic Dcs functions, which I am enjoying.  Down the road, I will explore its other functions, especially with "A Little Help With My Friends," that's you folks here on the Forum.

I've had DCS for a LONG time.  For me personally, once I got over the novelty of all the things and sounds that it can do and make, I have resorted to just the basic functions also.  The 'toys' are fun for a while or when showing them off to visitors, but on my own I'm all basics.

- walt

I just recently got into the hobby and DCS and I love it. I’m probably only doing the basics right now but I’m learning and enjoying.

Sounds like you're hooked, Arnold. I was hooked the second Marty Fitzhenry handed me a DCS remote and said, "try it out." Here's my Premier Blue Comet, after Marty converted it from PS1 to PS3, and my Williams K4s pulling a string of MTH Strasburg RR cars after Gunrunnerjohn worked his magic.

For all DCS users, Barry's book is a must have. However, one of our old forum members put up this helpful list of DCS tips that you may also find useful (I know i did when i was starting out)  -  https://www.toytrains1.com/DCS_Tips.htm

@BlueComet400 posted:

Sounds like you're hooked, Arnold. I was hooked the second Marty Fitzhenry handed me a DCS remote and said, "try it out." Here's my Premier Blue Comet, after Marty converted it from PS1 to PS3, and my Williams K4s pulling a string of MTH Strasburg RR cars after Gunrunnerjohn worked his magic.

Thanks Bkue Comet 400. I could not access your Blue Comet video. Your Strasburg RR car video is great.

I cannot remember if I knew about DCS, when I bought about 6 PS2 locomotives back in 2000 and 2001. I think not; so in my mind it was extremely exciting to buy my DCS system when it was introduced. I still have my original DCS system, but it is lightly used.

@Arnold D. Cribari posted:

Peter, you're light years ahead of me as a model railroader.  After only having DCS for 1 month, I have never run 2 or more locomotives simultaneously on DCS, and am reluctant to try that until I can be shown how to do it by someone in person. I have Mr. Broskowitz' book, am sure he explains multiple train operation on DCS, but still prefer to hold off trying it at this time.

Your video shows the beauty of DCS. Arnold

Arnold , I run two on the double over and under outer main loop that is a16 ×5 layout and one on a single articulated figure eight over and under.

Pretty simple actually .   If using the remote start both engines up ........the remote will let you toggle between two engines automatically just by using the select  button........keep each consist well apart to begin with ........start one consist rolling .........select and operate the second consist to rolling...........after that, don't fall asleep 😉

If you lose track  ( 😁 ) and panic with one consist closing in way to  close to the other ...........I just hit the reverse for the offending engine first .......and then go to the other engine and slow it down or hit the reverse for it too.

Easy to get rolling again........ just reverse that order

I never hit the red panic button.

@Mark Boyce posted:

Arnold, I have had DCS since about 2015.  I only got my layout to a point I can really start to make good use.  Here is the videos of my first runs over the liftup bridges.

Great looking operation with those bridges Mark .😉

Looks like you are " starting to make good use " of that layout.  Really interesting track plan .  Lots of fun to come.

@Arnold D. Cribari posted:

Thanks Bkue Comet 400. I could not access your Blue Comet video. Your Strasburg RR car video is great.

I wasn't able to pick up the Blue Comet video either B C 400.🤔

@Dallas Joseph posted:

Great looking operation with those bridges Mark .😉

Looks like you are " starting to make good use " of that layout.  Really interesting track plan .  Lots of fun to come.

I wasn't able to pick up the Blue Comet video either B C 400.🤔

Thank you!!

I only have a DCS explorer but once the WIU units can be purchased again I plan on adding it. I’m used to using the app already and I run two independent loops so anticipate no trouble getting the hang of the whole DCS system. What really want it for is refined control of subway features. anybody know when these Wi-Fi hook ups will be restocked?

I've had DCS since about 2009 or so.  I bought my first DCS/PS2 engine around 2008 (I think) and knew that it had the capabilities.  I had been reading about it since it was introduced - but wasn't into 3-rail all that much at the time.  When I got that first engine, the TIUs and Remotes were hard to come by.  I actually had to buy them separately from two different dealers because no one had the combo set.

Initially I used it to run a very unrealistic mix of 3-rail and postwar A.C. Gilbert era American Flyer S-gauge under the Christmas tree each year.  I liked that I could use a separate channel (variable) to run the AF stuff rom the remote.  I still do this from time to time.  Now that I'm building a permanent layout in my basement, it will be at the heart of the electrical system there.

DCS is truly well engineered.  I know there are issues with the early 5V boards, but knocking on wood I've not had any issues with the one used locomotive I have with a 5V board.  The other PS2 3V and PS3 engines have been great.  Probably the best aspect of the DCS protocol compared to TMCC/Legacy is two-way communications.  This ensures that the engine receives the command and positively responds to it.  TMCC and Legacy are simpler and also good, but when operating TMCC or Legacy locos in TMCC mode, there are times when a command is missed.  This is particularly annoying when running two or more locomotives together.

I've found that DCS is not quite as good at very slow speed operations compared to TMCC or Legacy locos in 100 or 200 speed step mode, but are much superior to TMCC 32 speed step mode.  However, an operating tip is that with DCS, if you get the throttle up to 3 or 4 MPH and then feather the throttle back down to 1 or 2, you can achieve more realistic slow speed operations.  The ability to adjust the acceleration and deceleration is also a very cool feature.

Another thing I really like is the ability to record and playback an operation session.  I find this useful when I want to have my trains running in the background and "do other things" in my shop.

However, the feature that takes the cake for a nerd like me is the user re-programmability.  I've customized the sounds in multiple locomotives, and not having to buy a whole new board - or ship it back to the manufacture when something is wrong - is great!

Rplst8, that is certainly a great description of making use of a lot of the DCS features I have not even tried yet.  I will have to try getting the throttle up to 3 or 4 and moving back to 1 or 2 to see how slow speed works.  Also a nice comparison to TMCC and Legacy.

@Strap Hanger posted:

For all DCS users, Barry's book is a must have. However, one of our old forum members put up this helpful list of DCS tips that you may also find useful (I know i did when i was starting out)  -  https://www.toytrains1.com/DCS_Tips.htm

Thank you for this. I’m going to buy the book and the dvd next week.

@Mark Boyce posted:

Rplst8, that is certainly a great description of making use of a lot of the DCS features I have not even tried yet.  I will have to try getting the throttle up to 3 or 4 and moving back to 1 or 2 to see how slow speed works.  Also a nice comparison to TMCC and Legacy.

Here are a few things I've noticed when operating at slow speeds.

Single motor steam engines perform much better than dual motor Diesels.

Engines that have been broken in with 500 or more scale miles on the odometer seem to perform better at slow speeds. I've got a railking F3 set with about 6,000 scale miles that runs smooth as butter at 1 smph but was pretty jerky when it was new.

Engines will operate a little more smoothly when carrying a loaded consist vs. by themselves.

@Brooklyn Corey posted:

Thank you for this. I’m going to buy the book and the dvd next week.

toytrains1 has a great YouTube channel as well filled with videos of his MTH/DCS locomotives.  It's great if you're curious about hearing the sounds for an older locomotive.

https://www.youtube.com/user/toytrains1/videos

@rplst8 posted:

toytrains1 has a great YouTube channel as well filled with videos of his MTH/DCS locomotives.  It's great if you're curious about hearing the sounds for an older locomotive.

https://www.youtube.com/user/toytrains1/videos

Thanks I’ll look at this tonight.

I want to be sure I'm understanding this: the new WTIU Wifi unit is stand alone, correct? I will not need a TIU? The WTIU  is powered by transformer and then plugs directly into track. Trains are then run by the mobile app. Is that it? MTH 50-1039?

@pdxtrains posted:

I want to be sure I'm understanding this: the new WTIU Wifi unit is stand alone, correct? I will not need a TIU? The WTIU  is powered by transformer and then plugs directly into track. Trains are then run by the mobile app. Is that it? MTH 50-1039?

You pretty much have it correct. It combines the TIU & WIU into one device.

I do think they will have to include an external power adapter to run the WTIU electronics and stop using FIXED 1 Input as a powersource (it would of course still power the track exactly like the FIXED 2 port). If it is powered from FIXED 1 input by a transformer and that input loses power due to a short, the whole WTIU would shutdown. This would leave the other three channels without any DCS communication.

I just ordered the dvd. Now to find and order the book!