TMCC and DCS Questions???

[Anonymous]

Iam just wondering if you can use Block wiring with TMCC and DCS?
can you also wire the Fast Track switches to be thrown by Cab -1 and the
old time stock switch controllers? Also would like to wire in a Atlas turntable
in my new fast track layout. The layout Iam planning was in sept. CTT.
Maj. Joe Boltons Lionel fast track layout. I plan to have a double track and
double crossovers. a extension off the main layout a staging area with several tracks and a Atlas turn table. hopefully i can run my TMCC DCS and old timey
post war with blocks that i can run 2 or more old trains.

NS trackman.

[csxt30]

[#welcome] NS trackman ! I believe you can install the TMCC & DCS right up to whatever track wiring you have . I only have TMCC so far, but I plan to add the DCS, also. Also, I'm pretty sure you can throw all the switches with it too. Should be others along more knowledgeable !
Also, how are things on the N&S ? Good to see a fellow Railroader aboard & come on over to The Coffe Pot when you can & don't forget Sunday Photo Fun ! Oh, The Chief will be happy to see you , he's from the South
& needs help ! [:D]
Thanks, John

[ChiefEagles]

NStrackman , [#welcome][#welcome][#welcome][^][:D]. A NS man. Only Railroad there is. All others are short lines. [;)] And a guy from good ole Virginy. Help to fight those Yanks [especially those from Ohizo]. Got to get them to admit they love sweet ice tea and grits. [;)]

DCS and TMCC. Running both on temporary layout on the floor. [now those Yanks will say it has been on the floor so long, it is permanent] DCS can be a problem. You need what they call homerun wiring. Feed all section or blocks from a buss bar type connector. Do not run one wire from each side [U and A] of the transformer and tap off of it. TMCC will work fine like that as long as you have a good ground and connection to your outside rail[s]. DCS uses the track as it carrier of commands. If you run your wiring using the one wire for each "side" of the transformer and tap off of it, the signal gets confused and you have problems. To me, the "homerun" wiring was the way I wired my old layout in the early 70's [when there was no command]. Costs more as you use more wire but is more efficient. I ran all my wires from a central block and soldered them on at various intervals along the layout. I had no slow areas in conventional. So when I wired the floor layout, I did the same. I added DCS with no problems what so ever and a 10 signal all over it. I later added TMCC and no problems. I run both DCS and TMCC engines on the same tack with no problems. Hope this long post helps. Now go to the "Coffee Pot" and help us Southerners fight those Yanks. [;)]

[laz 57]

NSTRACKMAN,
[#welcome][#welcome][#welcome], CHIEF told you just about everything there is to know except for one thing and that is to use at least 16 gauge paired wiring if you are to implement DCS. Better track signal.
PS. Stay away from those GRITS.
laz57

[Anonymous]

As far as using track switches and accessories with the CAB-1, yes you can do that but need additional components added to TMCC to do so. Same thing with DCS you need to add the AIU to operate switches and accessories with the DCS remote.

If you are going to use both systems keep in mind that DCS can operate TMCC engines in command mode (most of the TMCC functions anyway) but you can not operate MTH PS2 engines in command mode with the CAB-1 remote/TMCC (only in conventional mode).

The best setup is using DCS for your main operating system in tandem with TMCC and using the MTH AIU for switches and accessories. The AIU has 10 ports for switches and another 10 for accessories, the components that do the same for TMCC are less expensive but don't have as many ports so you will need more of them to comapre the cost to 1 TIU. Plus DCS has the ability built in to record and playback operating sessions. TMCC has this feature available but it is another component that needs to be purchased and added.