I know alot of you guys here no doubt own and use the DCS system on your layouts. How long have you had your system and what kind of layouts do you use it on? I know some would use it on large complex layouts. After seeing on what the DCS is capable of thanks to the demo by Spankybird during my visit, I’m pretty much sold on getting the DCS system for my railroad. Since I have all MTH engines (2 PS1 diesels) it would make sense to get the system. I will also eventually get that DCS video as well to learn more about it. Since I am technically minded computer wise, this will be great.
I have 3 more diesels on order (all PS2 locos) and will eventually order the DCS later since I have to pay off what I currently got on order first. I also may get the Z-4000 transformer so that it will be easier for me to program the PS1 locos. Since those two are the RailKing models, I have no incentive to upgrade either of them since the cost would equal almost the price of a new loco alone.
I’ve had DCS since it first came out and I love it, I still don’t utilize all of it’s capabilities, but I will eventually. I first bought one Z4000 and then waited for DCS before building our first layout, I then added a 2nd Z4000 as the layout expanded. Unfortunately I do have a couple of PS1’s that I rarely use and have thought about upgrading them but it makes no sense, I could add a few dollars more and own a Premiere.
I did buy the AIU and was planning on using it for all of my switches but I’ve changed my mind for now, we still enjoy throwing the switches. When we do our next layout I’ll use the AIU from the get go for most of the switches but all of the accessories will still use a button as the kids still like it to be interactive.
I bought the DCS system about two years ago in anticipation of adding it to my layout expansion. It has only been operational for about 8 months. I only have it operational on the newest two loops of my layout.
I have also added TMCC to make it easier to run my Lionel engines even though I can run them on DCS. I have only wired up one accessory to the AIU so far but plan to wire up one other accessory.
I also have two Z4000 transformers, one used for the DCS system and the other to power the other sections of my layout. I am still learning about the DCS system and plan to expand with it to the other parts of my layout in the future. Right now we run 5 separate loops on 3 separate sections joined together to make uo our layout.
It sounds confusing but in actuality it makes for a lot of action.
I would like to know about the DCS system, can it be used with the older transformers like the post-war ZW? Also from what I have seen on the MTH video about DCS I will be able to run my pre-war stuff without upgrading, is this correct?
Lee F. in West Palm Beach FL
I run two loops with nothing but DCS and run just MTH stuff there. The Lionel TMCC engines sometimes don’t do alot of the stuff or react well with the DCS commands so if I am running a Lionel one there I also have the base command hooked up and will run it of Cab1 instead of the DCS. On the main line I have a modern ZW hooked up with TMCC and can control all my MTH locos with Cab1 1 buy using the ZW built in conventional mode with the cab1.
So I can run any engine in conventional mode having control of the horn, bell,speed, and direction, all with the cab1 and newer ZW.
laz57
Yes it works very well with Post War ZW’s. I have two of them with my system. Yes you can run pre-war stuff in conventional mode without any upgrades. [;)]
I have also had it since it first came out. We also have it on our large club layout. DCS and TMCC together, but in both cases we are not controlling the TMCC with the DCS handheld, we use the TMCC CAB-1s. This is because we have multiple operators so you need all the handhelds you can get.
I started with TMCC two years ago and converted to DCS 18 months ago. Relatively small layout 7 by 17 with 3 legitimate levels with TMCC and DCS and one level for show that is just convention. I currently run only my DCS Proto2 engines (21) in 16 trains simultaneously. The simultaneously pushed me to DCS. With the smph I can run multiple trains on multiple loops while making percise speed adjustments to control the slack between trains. With TMCC I was having difficulty with just two trains per loop on multiple loops caused by a lack of positive speed control feedback that DCS offers.
I have had my DCS for about a year and love it. The only problem I have is that the wheel on the controller is broken and from what I hear it is a common problem with them. My to do list says I must make a call to MTH and get it repaired or replaced before the warranty runs out. I have a small around the room layout. I run MTH, Williams and some Post War stuff.
Yes, I have all my switches and accessories wired to the AUI and also to the regular control panel. So they can be controlled with the DCS handheld or conventionally.
One of the best features IMO, of DCS is recording a session and playing it back but you need to have the accessories and switches wired to the AIU to be included in the recorded session.
Houdy,
Any special wiring techniques? Or did you just wire them up strictly parallel. I assuming that you used thw same transformer for both techniques. Thanks.
I bought it shortly after I got back into the hobby [2 years ago]. I added TMCC. I run MTH with the DCS remote and TMCC with the CAB1. The DCS remote is a little “slower” respnding to commands than the CAB1. The CAB1 gives Lionel TMCC engines a few more options thant he DCS remote. Both systems work great together.
Man… it’s been a while since I did it… I had both the switches and accessories wired before I got the AIU, and all were powered from a Z100 brick separate from the track.
The switches (turnouts) were pretty easy, I opened up the FasTrack switch remote at the control panel and added wires from it to the AIU, that saved a lot of wire, of course you could also run them from the switch as well.
For the accessories one wire is from the power source (hot) to the accessory, then the common is split with one going through the AUI, and back to the transformer, and the other going to the normal controller (switch) and then back to the transformer.
For accessories just consider the AIU as another controller (switch) to turn he power off and on.
Lee,
I don’t have DCS, but as stated above, it can be used with the older PW ZW. I have seen several posts about putting in a fast blow fuse or circuit breaker for the track as the newer engines with circuit boards are very easily damaged by shorts as the older transformers don’t trip fast enough. Look up the information in some of the threads and I know these guys can fill you in. Most of my stuff is conventional, so I don’t have the problems.
Dennis