DCS versus TMCC

[Anonymous]

Hi Will!

Your point is well taken-you should run and operate what you are happy with. TMCC is a very good product/control system so I would be surprised if you were not happy with it (can you tell l am mellowing in my old age?).

I am not trying to convince Elliot that he should or should not do anything regarding DCS, we are just comparing notes and opinions. So far, it has been a very enlightening discussion. He has raised my curiosity about the computer interface both from a TMCC standpoint and a DCS standpoint. I have seen his work on one of the Great Toy Train layout videos so I know what he is capable of-very, very impressive!

[Big_Boy_4005]

Don't worry RAK, I'm still pretty firmly in Will's camp on this one, but I am always willing to listen to different ideas, and if they make sense I do use them.

This one has me interested enough to investigate further, which is a lot more than I was willing to do last week, but with my budget the way that it is, it may take years before I could take any action, IF I decided to try it. [swg]

Here's another topic on the MR forum that you might find interesting.
http://www.trains.com/community/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=13443
It has nothing to do with TMCC or DCS, but everything to do with persuasion.[:D]

[Jim Duda]

Smile RAK...smile! The DCS system came today...TIU, handheld, DCS/TMCC interface cable, DVD video - and a FREE UP caboose. I guess there's a special going on now and the whole deal was $250 from Rocky at Dixie Union Station.

Anyway, I also got a Rock Island BL-2 Premier PS-2 that has smoke...always heard about how well MTH does in that regard, and I don't have a diesel that smokes...so...
maybe tomorrow I can set the smoke alarm off! I also got the wall wart charger since this loco has a built in charge jack and I'm letting it charge overnight before I put it on the tracks.

Tomorrow morning I will stop at Radio Shack and get the 273-1690 wall transformer to power the TIU, the 273-1716 "M" adaptaplug, and 4 of the 274-717 banana plugs. I'm a little worried but...piece o' pie...right? Fingers crossed!

Nervous in Texas,
Jim Duda

[spankybird]

HI JIm, I know you will do fine. [tup] I had to move my smoke alarm into the other room. I run alot of steam. And yes MTH does smoke. The diesel isn't too bad. remember that you can set the smoke level with DCS.
tom

[Big_Boy_4005]

Jim, did I ever tell you that YOU NEED A BIGGER LAYOUT!!!!

I'm beginning to think this is a test track for your real hobby, collecting train control systems. [(-D][(-D][(-D][swg][swg]

I don't think there is any more stuff to buy, the next step is expansion. I suggest devoting some of those funds to a gift for your wife, and hope for a "land grant". [#oops]There goes the dining room.[dinner][swg]

I think you have every right to be nervous.[;)]

You do crack me up sometimes.[:D][:D][bow][(-D][(-D]

Sincerely, The Professor

950

[Jim Duda]

I agree...bigger layout! I keep looking at the backyard, the swing, and thinking how nice it would be to sit outside, drink some lemonade, swing in the swing, and watch a train run through the flowers and trees and...

But alas, no snow in the wintertime, so I guess I'd be out there all year...(sigh)

Since I like Rock Island, look at this...

http://gallery.bcentral.com/Gallery/ProductDetails.aspx?GID=3725153&PID=1770884&page=1&sortOrder=0

Yup...expansion! But wait! What will we do with the dining room table once I move outside???

Perplexed in Austin,
Jim Duda

[spankybird]

But Jim,

You might have to cut the grass and prune the yard more often.

tom

[Jim Duda]

Greetings Tom -

Nope! I'll just tape some outriggers on the train and pull some multiple (like they do on golf courses) G-Scale lawnmowers with the train to keep the grass cut.

Professor Elliot - I could build a helix up to the top of my trees and hook some chain saws and pruning shears to it to keep the trees well manicured...

Man, this "lemonade" sure helps conjure up some wild ideas!...(wink)

Relaxin' in Austin,
Jim Duda

[spankybird]

Hi Jim.

I was just thinking about a Lemonade when I had to do the 12" of snow on Tuesdays storm that hit NE Ohio.

tom

[Jim Duda]

Well I did it! I just added DCS to my TMCC Command Base and Powermaster. So far, I'm having a ball just running my two PS-2 locos, but now I can control the smoke level (low, med, high, off) the sound level, a whole bunch of other neat stuff, and I don't have to worry about the pesky timing of the whistle/horn - bell sequence when operating those in conventional.

My next step is seing how my non-TMCC stuff behaves, and the final and proof of the pudding test will be how the DCS handheld controls the TMCC steamer. If all goes well, I will use the DCS handheld from now on. This gets into personal preferences, but for me, the DCS unit is more ergonomic, I can do everything with one hand, and I personally prefer the detented thumbwheel to the big red dial on the CAB-1. Having the LCD readouts "reminding" you of where you are is VERY intuitive.

Bottom line: If you can wire a Powermaster into your Command Base, you can certainly wire the DCS system into your TMCC system. Just be sure and get the TIU to TMCC interface cable, which plugs into your computer port on the TMCC Command Base. You'll also need at least 4 sets of banana jacks. I got the solderless type from Radio Shack, part no. 274-721 @ $2.99 each. You'll also need a type M adaptaplug, 273-1716, and an 18VAC wall mounted txfrmr to power the TIU, part no. 273-1690. That's it!
For now I'm havin' fun, relaxin' with the remote unit in my hand, and sippin' some Texas lemonage...(wink)

DCS'n it in Austin,
Jim Duda

(This one's for you, RAK, Tom, Neil, and all the others that convinced me to try DCS...)

[Big_Boy_4005]

Watch out Jim, pretty soon everyone will be asking you the questions.[swg]

[spankybird]

Great news Jim. Isn’t nice to act like a kid again.

Do your self a bid favor, build a circuit breaker box.

http://www.trains.com/community/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=13672

Have fun,

tom