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I have only PS2 and PS3 engines.  They all run fine on my layout, where I use DCS.  Shutdowns are good when track power removed, remote tells me batteries are "ok".  However, when I take them to my club layout, which, sadly, only has conventional operation, they won't respond to any command with the Z-4001 remotes.  The odd thing, to me at least, is that some engines ran fine on the club layout, but after bringing them home and running them on DCS, they don't run on the club layout.  For instance, I recently purchased a brand new PS3 GP40.  I didn't run it at home first, but on the club layout first.  After the club I brought it home, ran it without issue and upon returning to the club, it won't respond to any directional command.  It starts up, but then just sits there not responding to any directional change.  With one PS2 engine I did a factory reset, but using the DCS remote, not the bell/whistle combo.  I do have a test track where I could do that using the Z-4000, but haven't tried that yet.  Nonetheless, the PS2 would not respond to directional command.  I've got a couple of PS2s I can run on the club because I have not run them on at home, yet.  I'm reluctant to because that would take all my engines out of club running.

This issue has cropped up on both the permanent club layout and the traveling modular layout.  

Here's some specs:

My layout: Z-4000 power, TIU Rev L, DCS remote. I only run MTH engines.

Club layout: Z-4000 power, Lionel Legacy (on modular) or TMCC boxes (on permanent, I'm not sure which as I haven't paid much attention, they are behind the Z-4000s).  Z-4001 remotes.  They are older remotes, but I'm not sure that matters.  The club's traveling layout is pretty much the same, but with Lionel remotes.  The club always runs conventional.  I'm not sure which Lionel remote is used for the traveling layout.  I know it's Lionel. Regardless, running is always in conventional. I know I have to hit "Track" "track #" "boost" then spin a red dial to power up.  Then hit direction and the train moves (provided I haven't run it in DCS, that is).

I understand this is probably a horrible explanation, but I'll answer questions as  I can.  I'm relatively new to the club and none of the veterans can figure out what is going on.  So far as I can tell, I may be the only DCS user.  I'm certainly not the only MTH-engine owner, but it seems just about everybody uses Lionel, if they have a home layout.

Any help is appreciated.  I'd love to be able to run my engines on both layouts.

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Why not make sure the engines will run at home in conventional mode before taking them to the club.

Here's an easy way... turn the dcs signal off on a tiu channel and use the handle of your z-4000. Or  by pass the tiu altogether.

The following is one of the least know commands but also one of the most important.

Menu/System/ dcs set up//// This gives  the option of turning  the dcs signal on or off on any tiu channel. In  this case turn it off on the channel you're using. You may have to cycle tiu power. It the same method to turn the signal back on or just use AON  all  signals "on"

Last edited by Gregg

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