John,
Did I actually read you were running great old Tin Plate Trains with MTH Bricks! You have to pick up a Z4K and Side Receiver, along with the DCS and run the good old Tin Plate Engines with the DCS HHRC via the TR mode. The old engines run smooth as silk in this manner, shame on you for powering your good Tin Plate with a nasty Brick. Bricks are for building homes, not running classic Trains.
PCRR/Dave
Ya know you can't get into Tin Plate Heaven if you use Devil Bricks.