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I currently use 2 TIU's on my layout.  With a planned expansion, I will need to add a 3rd TIU.  I also have 2 Wi-Fi adapters  connected to the TIU's.  I have not been very happy with using a phone or ipad to control the trains, and I prefer to use the DCS remote.

I am concerned that even if something is developed to allow the new WTIU to accept commands from the DCS remote, will the WTIU be able to be added as a 3rd TIU.

I will continue to buy MTH rolling stock and accessories, but no more engines until the future of DCS hardware and software is better defined and communicated.

@H1000 posted:

Where is the "BOTH / EITHER" option for question 1?

The new WTIU does work with the DCS remote, just not wirelessly.

I think we want to know how many people are really attached to handheld operation. I don't think tethered connection is of much interest to those that love their handheld. Too many answer options makes the result ambiguous. You are welcome to create a better survey.

"I will continue to buy MTH rolling stock and accessories, but no more engines until the future of DCS hardware and software is better defined and communicated."

If a large enough group of people did this, I bet MTH would get the message and find a way to meet consumer demand for the wireless remote.

I would buy 2 more of each, but only if the TIU is modified so it will continue to work with the remote (not a phone or tablet) on a wireless basis. No tether.

Last edited by BlueComet400

Just curious but MTH has been saying the remote was going away for at least 4 or 5 years. Why didn’t you stock up on extras then?  

Another thing to consider, I’ve seen where people say if XYZ makes this engine or item I’ll buy it.  They make it and no one buys it.

I really think you guys are out of luck. MTH has given everyone more than enough warning.

I think the problem here is that it appears that MTH has not taken the time to ask its customers who support the company what they want. These surveys are great, but unless the leadership of the company is willing to listen to the people who ultimately pay their salaries, nothing will change. At one of the last York meets, I went to the MTH booth to talk to the guys about the remote and a few other things. They were all glued to a TV set watching a golf tournament and not one of them would break away to speak with me, so I left.

Last edited by BlueComet400

I think they know most people want the remote and maybe if they were still the MTH of the past you’d get one. Everyone on this forum has been voicing their opinion on the remote since MTH said it was going away. They listened but most likely realized the investment wasn’t worth it.

With the company winding down and components for the remote harder to get I don’t see the investing in a new or redesigned remote.

@MartyE posted:

Just curious but MTH has been saying the remote was going away for at least 4 or 5 years. Why didn’t you stock up on extras then?

That gave me a chuckle Marty, it's why I have five (or six) remotes now, and also a bunch of TIU's!

I also have a couple spare thumbwheels and I think I found a source for the display panel.  I plan on keeping the existing TIU/Remote configuration in operation for many years.

That gave me a chuckle Marty, it's why I have five (or six) remotes now, and also a bunch of TIU's!

I also have a couple spare thumbwheels and I think I found a source for the display panel.  I plan on keeping the existing TIU/Remote configuration in operation for many years.

My solution is to convert my few remaining PS2/3 engines to legacy.  Chances are I’ll only keep DCS for guests.

Last edited by superwarp1

I think the problem here is that it appears that MTH has not taken the time to ask its customers who support the company what they want. These surveys are great, but unless the leadership of the company is willing to listen to the people who ultimately pay their salaries, nothing will change. At one of the last York meets, I went to the MTH booth to talk to the guys about the remote and a few other things. They were all glued to a TV set watching a golf tournament and not one of them would break away to speak with me, so I left.

From talking to both Mike and Andy at various meets, the impression I got was that the main problem with continuing production of the hand held was the difficulty in getting obsolete parts.

I think I would find a tether annoying and in the way. I’m no technophobe and I have and use lots of apps on my phone and tablet. I have used Lionel’s LionChief app and it’s Okay, but nothing impressive. A remote is far easier to use and feels natural in my hand. Let’s be honest here, the end of the hand held remote is not about what the customer wants. It’s about what’s best for a company that has lost the capacity to manufacture and support these devices.

I hope Lionel is paying attention to this fiasco. PLEASE continue to manufacture and support the CAB-1L and CAB-2!

Let’s be honest here, the end of the hand held remote is not about what the customer wants. It’s about what’s best for a company that has lost the capacity to manufacture and support these devices.

Exactly.  Imagine if TV, stereo, etc. manufacturers told you "just use your phone".  My 15 year old daughter asked me to get her an Amazon FireStick because it comes with a remote.  This is not an age issue, luddite issue, or however they want to frame it.

Let’s be honest here, the end of the hand held remote is not about what the customer wants. It’s about what’s best for a company that has lost the capacity to manufacture and support these devices.

This is certainly true IMO.  It's pretty clear that a significant number of customers are not enamored with the idea of using their phone to control their trains, me being numbered among them.

OTOH, I can't be too hard on MTH for this decision.  They do have to weigh the expense of redesigning the remote to use new parts against any potential lost sales based on discontinuing the remote.  For many years in aerospace I faced similar issues of parts obsolescence, and the solution was to buy thousands of parts that guaranteed that we could continue to build a specific product for many years into the future.  However, the price for this practice was high, and I suspect the profit margins on model train products just don't allow for such extravagant expenditures.  This is likely the reason for the limited lifetime of stuff like the remotes.

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