Forest posted:That's all good information. Looks like a nice layout. I'll try to explain what might be goin on. I have never used the MTH Realtrax switches. If one rail is insulated for the non-derailing feature, most likely the frog rail, with the 2 switches back to back you have created a short section where only one outside rail is transmitting the TMCC signal. With that the SD40t-2 may have a poor antenna connection and the signal is too week for it to read. I think Some TMCC engines had an issue with frequency match being slightly off that could cause problems also. There is a fix for the track issue using a small value capacitor across the insulated gaps on the switches. I will have too look up the value unless someone chimes in with it. The capacitor is too small to carry any current across it but will carry the signal. It is something like a 1mfd or .1mfd capaictor. Mike Reagan explained this is his service class several years ago. I have never done this modification on our layout at the club or at home.
As for the RS-11, does it run in conventional mode with the command base turned off? Has it ever worked on your layout? Will it work on someone else's layout? I would assume not but when TMCC is not working right it can be real troublesome to diagnose.
DCS has its own issues. We do not need a purple vs. orange box debate.
Forest
I would like to learn more about the 1mfd capacitor if it helps solve the issue with my two lionel diesels. My MTH engines work fine with no issues such as this and my Lionel engines (except the rs-11 and tunnel motor) run fine on TMCC through the DCS remote.
The RS-11 ran fine conventionally (this was before I had TMCC). When I began using TMCC on my layout with my Lionel roster, the rs-11 began acting the way it has been described. Plus once a TMCC Command equipped engine gets power from command equipped track, it will stay in command mode because it senses it. I have looked for a possible reset option to get the engine back to running conventionally but I have yet to find or hear about a reset solution. The engine has only run on my layout since I bought it back in 2017 and it was running conventionally well before then.
