@MrMuffin'sTrains posted:You can use a phone handset cord to tether a remote off of the new TIU 50-1039. The only issue is, that remote will only then communicate with that TIU. Obviously, with four outputs you can support up to four tracks. I have jumpered two smaller loops off of the same TIU port with success - we ran that way today. So if you can operate with a single TIU you are all set. For someone that operates more than one TIU, each one would need to have its own remote tethered to it.
At our layout, the big layout runs trains via our iPads across four TIUs; we have an additional layout on the east side of the building that's operated with a remote tethered to a TIU and they don't interfere with the big layout. In back, is another TIU with a tethered remote we use for our test track in the workshop. I am getting ready to add a fourth independent loop and will tether a remote once again.
I don't like using the DCS app on my iPhone, but on an iPad, even the iPad mini it works really good. It is much easier to change between trains; execute the various commands; and not nearly the delay I experience with the remote. Today, we were running over twenty trains at the same time off of one iPad.
The 50-1039 was in test last week at MTH in Michigan, assuming everything is okay, they will give the go ahead for the production. I am thinking probably another 90-120 days before they get here. I am not clear on when the new remotes will ship.
You might recall Mike announced originally, last year, that DCS would continue on in a new entity, and most recently, Atlas licensed DCS for not only the MTH tooling they took over, but for Atlas tooling as well. Last I heard, their engineers were already fitting DCS components into their products.
Bottom line, rest easy. DCS isn't going away.
Thanks for this information and update! I’m not a fan of the tethered remote approach but I am happy the production of 50-1039 will be an option for DCS in the future. If my 2002 model of the TIU ever fails (and can’t be repaired) I guess I’ll just have to buy the 50-1039 and get used to using an iPad mini. However, I really like using the untethered remote so hopefully I’ll get many more years out of my current remote/TIU combination. Also, as I understand it Atlas will produce diesels with DCS, so hopefully the MTH steam tooling w/DCS market will somehow also continue in the future as well.
