Rayman4449

Thanks for sharing Bart, the VO1000 is a nice looking engine as well.

Very nice work Jerry and it works to boot

Good to hear and you're welcome The lash-up is what must have set the volumes down that never reset when you did the start-up as a stand alone engine. Sounds like you are good to go and should be going forward now that you are in passive mode. Happy RRing

Ok so it sounds like you need to confirm the bell and whistle sound volumes then. I will test out running under fixed 2 passively with jumpers on fixed 1 and 2 input sides and see if it works when I have time. I suspect it will. Raymond

If you have a powered up layout in current operation there may come the time when you will want to use an unpowered siding or staging track like I do where you add the engine to an unpowered section of track, add power and drive it off. When you add power to a DCS engine, it first looks for a 'watchdog' signal which is sent by the TIU only when first turned on. After the TIU is turned on, the only way to trigger this signal to be sent again later is to hit the 'READ' button on the remote. (which is easy enough) But this idea just brought up (and many thanks to Chuck for sharing this with me) is the use of a DCS Remote Commander box passively connected to each siding. (set pictured below) These were created for inexpensive starter O gauge sets intended to control just one engine. However if you connect the DCS Remote Commander box to a siding passively (ie. Connect the red and black terminals to the siding) when the siding is powered up it will generate the watchdog signal automatically so you dont need to hit the 'READ' button when powering it up. (Also note that it does not matter what power polarity the DCS Commander box sees, it will still transmit the watchdog signal and the engine will still receive it so just connect a wire from each rail to each terminal and go.) Why this is important: If a DCS equipped engine receives track power without receiving the watchdog signal it assumes that it is supposed to run under regular analog track power and will power up and start running. So if you want to run an engine under remote control you will want to make sure you send the watchdog signal to the engine at the time it is powered up so it waits for remote commands. http://www.mthtrains.com/content/50-1033 Great tip and will be buying a couple of these for my two staging tracks on my layout. I'm trying to find out now if the box is available separately. If anyone is looking for these let me know and I can get a price for you. Raymond

Ok try this, I just tested it and it seems to work: Passive mode using Fixed 2 port: - Connect power supply to track and run wire from track or power supply to Fixed 2 output port. (as has been noted and discussed before) - Connect your jumpers from Fixed 2 Input port to Fixed 1 Input port. (that will power the TIU) Let me know if that works. Raymond

Passive mode, in my case: 1: power and Fixed Out 2 to the tracks. - (RAY: YES, CORRECT) To get power to the TIU; 2a: Fixed In 2 to Fixed In 1 or - (RAY: YOU WILL WANT TO RUN POWER FROM THE POWERSUPPLY TO THE FIXED 1 INPUT, I WOULD NOT RUN POWER TO THE FIXED 2 INPUT IN THIS CASE.) 2b: suitable AC power to Aux Power Input (RAY: OR USE AN AUX POWER SUPPLY, CORRECT) I answered in-line above. Do note that running power to the Fixed 1 output does provide power to the TIU as well (as running it to the Fixed 1 input side) but you don't want to have the signal output from Fixed 1 getting mixed up with the signal output of Fixed 2 port. You can run one power supply and use both Fixed outputs in passive mode but you need to make sure the signal is filtered from crossing over. I actually have mine setup that way (running both outputs in passive mode with one power supply) and can provide the needed filters if anyone ever wants to run both outputs in passive mode. Raymond

You're welcome! Use a quick blow fuse with a max of 5amps and you should be good. if you are only running 1 engine use a 3amp. You can feed the power directly to your Protosound equipped engines as they can run under AC or DC power. The TIU does NOT change the power type output to the track. DC in is DC out and AC in is AC out. You should be good to go but if you need it repaired later should not cost too much. Good luck and happy RRing Raymond

Hi Bjorn, Based on what I'm reading it sounds like your Fixed 1 port on the TIU was exposed to an over-amperage situation that has damaged that port. I recommend taking the power leads that you have going to the fixed 1 input port terminals and making a jumper set of wires to the Fixed 2 input port terminals, then move the wires that are currently connected to the Fixed 1 output and connect them to the Fixed 2 port. That should fix your problem. What you are likely seeing is a reduced signal strength of Fixed 1 because of the severe overload situation. This is why I recommend the use of quick blow fuses to protect the TIU and engines running from shorts: http://www.rayman4449.com/DCS_Tips.htm#Using_a_quickblow_fuse Also this is another reason to run your TIU in Passive mode: http://www.rayman4449.com/DCS_Tips.htm#Use_of_TIU_to_provide_signal_to_track:__Normal_vs_Passive_mode This mode allows you to run in a full unlimited amperage mode and protect your TIU from any sort of shorts that may occur. Note that these pages are accessible on my DCS Tips page on my website if you want to read up more on this and other items and considerations: http://www.rayman4449.com/DCS_Tips.htm The TIU port can most likely be repaired and if you needed that repair done that is something I can do as I am actually an Authorized MTH Dealer and Repair center. It can be repaired but if you change the ports over as I have suggested from Fixed 1 to Fixed 2 you can work around the damaged port and get back to operation without any further expense. Let me know if you need anything else and let me know how you make out. Raymond

Great photos Jerry and the lighting looks excellent

Sorry I didn't reply sooner, great pics and video! Always a great thing to get to see these in person

Hehe We need to spread the word with everyone we know to get the word out they need donations. We have to do what we can to get this running! I will be present for its first run whenever that is.

Here is the link to donate for the restoration: http://fireup611.org/donate/ Please consider making a donation even if it's only $5.00. Only take a million railfans donating $5.00 to make this happen so let's go and spread the word! Raymond

In case you guys didn't hear there is a fundraiser underway to restore the N&W 611 back to full operational condition. They are looking to raise $3.5 million to restore the engine and build a proper maintenance facility to store and work in it. They are looking for another $1.5 mill to ensure it has funds to maintain operations for the foreseeable future. http://fireup611.org/the-611/ I think the key part of this is Norfolk Southern is trying to ramp up it's PR program (like all the other railroads) and has given the clearance for it to run on their rails again. So with this major backing, there should be no doubt that we should see this running in the near future. The time is now to donate! We need to see this engine back in operation!! Raymond

I agree with you and that is ultimately what I've found as well. There are definitely cases where 1:32 engines look small in front of certain 1:29 rolling stock but I find you can mix the scales with success and running a 1:32 scale train on one loop with a 1:29 works good. From what I have heard on the next catalog (whenever it is released) it sounds like it may only include a new diesel although a new steamer has been drawn up. If they do another northern engine, I would have to think a J would be high on the list to make.

Hey Mark, been the same here have run a few times so far, weather has been nice though. I actually picked up a few items, bought a couple of the AML K4s and a USA PA ABBA set.. will post pics here at some point. I've been keeping busy with a lot of other non-train related activities as well so not as much time available.

MTH is out of stock on 1:32 passenger car trucks.

I ordered them separately.

Very nicely done Jerry! I see the smoke deflectors on the engine, they look good

Joe, Hehe ... If the sales were to be had in G they'd be making them for us. I think that is a good idea to keep in their ear about what you want as consumers and also try. I know I was doing that for a time trying to get a DD40 out of them BTW, I suggest that anyone wanting a DD40 drop a line to USA Trains as well. I would REALLY like to see them make one.... While I'm pretty tapped out as far as buying any more engines in G scale, I would be all over a DD40!

Very nice work XL will be looking forward to seeing the progress on it. Did you keep the MTH motor blocks and just replace the wheels themselves or?

Thanks for sharing the update Yardtrain.

I guess we wait.

Haven't seen it yet and I checked a couple of days ago.