Upgrading old TIU

http://www.protosound2.com/

there is an older page written by Dave Hikel about using the loader.

https://mthtrains.com/news/315

You obviously need the latest upgrades and DCS versions to replace his descriptions.

The first thing is to get it hooked up to your computer after getting the latest DCS loader onto the computer. So you probably need a serial to usb adapter cable.

Does the handheld need match tiu version?

Alan,

Does the handheld need match tiu version?

Yes, the software in all TIUs and remotes on a layout should all be the same version. If not, operation will be unpredictable.

Don,

The DCS Companion 3rd Edition and the DCS WiFi Companion 1st Edition have detailed discussions for updating all of the DCS software, including in TIUs, remotes, WIUs, and PS2 and PS3 engines.

This and a whole lot more about DCS is all in MTH’s “The DCS Companion 3rd Edition!" This book is available from many fine OGR advertisers and forum sponsors, or as an eBook or a printed book at MTH's web store!

This and a whole lot more about DCS WiFi is all in MTH’s “The DCS WiFi Companion 1st Edition!" This book is available from many fine OGR advertisers and forum sponsors, or as an eBook or a printed book at MTH's web store! Get the free TMCC & Legacy Addendum here!

Wow! Engineer-Joe, I looked at the first link you put up. Which specific update am I supposed to download?  And Alan D has a good point- My handheld is as old as my TIU so does it need to be upgraded also? I'm no computer whiz so I'll need all the help I can get. What does a serial to usb adapter cable look like? I know what a usb end looks like but I'm not sure about the serial end.

Don

Barry, sorry I just saw your reply. I have your 2nd edition, but obviously it's outdated so it looks like I'll go for version 3.

Thanks,

 Don

Here is a good tutorial of how to do it.  I just did with a new DCS remote.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=17CpEt5iqlA

Laz57, Your tutorial makes it look pretty easy. I'm still going to get Barry's book, but I'll use your video, too. Now I need to get cords and get my computer guru daughter to stop by and help me with the downloads. Thanks, Don

Not hard to do.

Marty Fitzhenry posted:

Not hard to do.

Absolutely easy!  I can do one in about 6 minutes.  The reason it takes that long is the remote is basically a 4 minute upgrade time.  It takes longer to get all the stuff out of my kit than it does to upgrade.  Follow the "book" or Laz's link and you'll be good.

Thanks again- Any time I need information I come to this forum and always get the correct information.

WOW! I think even that expression is an understatement!!!!!! Can we see more please? Thanks!

                                                                                        Thanks for the compliments! There are no speed restrictions. I've run trains at 60 smph over it.  It is an 8' two track  semicircle 3' high at it's tallest point. There are 23,000 nbw castings attached to it. The brass rods on the bridges are actually threaded with 00-90 treads w/ matching nuts. The bents are made in 6" tall sections, stacked and glued. I made jigs for each section, then jigs to stack the completed sections. It was built upside down and took 4 people 5-1/2 hours to flip it and put it in place. There are 1,100 trestle ties with 6,600 spikes. It took 3 years to finish.

hi beautiful trestle I love all the detail and color effect you should be very proud of your layout!

ps let us know how you make out with the software up it is generally easy just take your time and read the loader screen what to do and double check what your reading and confirming as you go. best of luck!

Alan

Thanks, I'll let you know.

Just BEAUTIFUL!!!  I had to get another loooook at this!  Could be one of the WONDERS of the WORLD in O gauge

Thank you. I had a friend who was helping me design the layout because it was the first I've ever done. I told him I wanted a trestle and asked him how big I should make it. He said make as big as possible so I did. He had a cad drawing of a bent that he blew up to actual size and I used that as the guide. Where I worked I had access to a Bridgeport mill and I used that to mill out pieces of acrylic for the jigs to make sure the jigs were perfectly parallel top to bottom. If I had known what I was getting into I would have made it a lot smaller. lol. It is very sturdy. Every upright post has a screw on top and bottom. I never actually counted them but it was between 3 and 4 thousand. 

Thanks again

I'm waiting for my 9 pin to usb cable to arrive from Amazon then I'll try the upgrade.

Amazing doesn't really cover it, that is one beautiful trestle!

Thanks and thanks for all the info everyone gives on this forum. I'm not electrically/DCS knowledgeable so I come to this forum and I always get the answer.

Don

Trestleman1,

    Don with Engineering building skills like yours just send your DCS unit out to one of the guys and contract them to update it with the latest changes.  I had my DCS TIU's and HHRC upgraded in this manner a while back.  It is important a mismatched unit can cause problems you do not want to have, especially while running across that fantastic Trestle!

PCRR/Dave

Thanks for more pics! Your work and attention to detail is outstanding! Also your patience, I'll be honest I could never continue a project for three years, that is phenomenal !

Conrail,

Thank you. By the time I realized what I'd got myself into it was too late. lol  I had to remake the top 2 sections on 45 bents. Once I got the process down it went much faster.

Don   

Guys....I started a new thread over in the scenery/structures category on Don's magnificent trestle...please comment there since his original post here was about upgrading an old TIU...this way when someone uses the search function in the future, it will be easier to find the two separate topics...

Thanks,

Alan