What's Neat This Week #140 Featuring TCS

TCS' Dan Mycio re-appears on the What's Neat This Week in Model Railroading show with Ken Patterson! Watch the video as Dan shares the story of the recording trip for the Bachmann+TCS SC-44 "Charger" locomotive. Take a trip to Pueblo Colorado with TCS and share in the WOWSound recording experience! Dan also unveils to the public for the very first time the upcoming UWT-50 "mini" WiFi throttle! Check out what's new and exciting in the hobby with Ken Patterson and the What's Neat This Week podcast.

Interested to learn more about the TCS WiFi Command System? Here are some helpful links where you can learn more:

TCS WiFi Command System Overview: https://tcsdcc.com/wificommandsystem

TCS UWT-50 "mini" WiFi Throttle: https://tcsdcc.com/mini-throttle

TCS UWT-100 WiFi Throttle: https://tcsdcc.com/throttle

TCS WiFi Command Station: https://tcsdcc.com/commandstation

What's Neat This Week #134 Featuring TCS

TCS' Dan Mycio re-appears on the What's Neat This Week in Model Railroading show with Ken Patterson! Watch the video as Dan shares the inside scoop on what's new in the UWT-100 including the new Dual Throttle Mode and Accessory Control! Dan also discusses the upcoming UWT-50 "mini" throttle and TCS LCC Command Station. Also check out the new product announcements from fellow manufacturers such as Intermountain, Athearn, and More! Check out what's new and exciting in the hobby with Ken Patterson and the What's Neat This Week podcast.

Interested to learn more about the TCS WiFi Command System? You can learn more about the video Ken Patterson mentions below! Watch at the TCS WiFi Command System development team discusses the "nitty gritty" of the development process and the technological leaps and bounds being made.

UWT-100 Firmware Update 2.0 is Now Available!

Release 2.0 is a major software release that adds new features, brings improvements in different areas based on the feedback of our users and our development schedule, and fixes some minor bugs.

 

New Feature:

 

The TCS UWT-100 throttle can now be used to control two locomotives at the same time. Both locomotives will be visible on the screen with their address, speed and direction.

 

Dual Throttle Mode Features:

  • You can enable or disable Dual Throttle Mode by going Menu > Operations > Dual Throttle or typing [≡][2][6] on the keypad.
  • While Dual Throttle Mode is active, the Recall softkey (default [·]) will display as ‘Swap’. Swap may be used to flip the positions of the two throttles. NOTE: If you have changed the settings for your remappable buttons (softkeys) and have removed or overwritten the Recall option, but would still like to use Swap, you may use the Recall Menu instead and select the first option at the top of the list. Using the keypad would go like this: [≡][1][1]
  • The single chevron keys will operate the right throttle’s speed while the double chevron keys, the thumbwheel, the direction key, and the function buttons operate the left throttle. Using the Select Loco key or Menu > Recall will replace the locomotive on the left throttle.
  • If needed, a softkey (such as [∷]) can be re-configured to operate as the Dual Direction button for the secondary throttle (In the Settings > Change Buttons menu, pick “Dual Direction” from the Common Functions list).
  • Both throttles can be independently set to drive consists. The consist change operations manipulate the consist on the left throttle.
  • Both throttles can be independently set to Yard Mode. We recommend using the right throttle to control a locomotive in Yard Mode because the direction can be controlled by using exclusively the chevron keys without the need to swap sides or reconfigure a soft key for the Dual Direction function.
Dual Direction
We especially recommend Dual Throttle Mode for operators working a yard and users who would like to monitor and control two locomotives at the same time.

 

Accessory and Route Support

  • The Accessory Control Screen now has separate keys for setting a turnout to Normal or Reversed. Pressing ENTER will “throw” the switch or toggle the accessory if the underlying system supports it. More details can be found in the new Help Text for the Accessory Control Screen.
  • The soft buttons in the Accessory Control Screen will now highlight to show you that your command was sent to the layout.
  • Controlling turnouts over an LNWI connection is now supported. Press the Accessory key, enter the turnout number, then press the N/On or R/Off keys to set the turnout to Normal (aka. Closed) or Reversed (aka. Thrown). “Toggling” or throwing a turnout using the Enter key is not supported by the LNWI.
  • Controlling Routes via JMRI. The UWT-100 throttle is now able to show and set Routes entered into JMRI. Routes will show when pressing the Accessory key in the list after the turnouts. The list can be restricted to show routes only by typing 0 on the keypad, after which typing more digits will further restrict the shown routes. A route from the list can be activated by scrolling to highlight it, then pressing the [··] (Select) key. Blind typing is also supported, for example if you have a route called “Yard entry 28”, you can trigger that with [ACCY] [0] [2] [8] [ENTER]. NCE macros can be operated using the Accessory Control Screen with the Appropriate JMRI Configuration.

Recall Functionality

  • The throttle will now remember if a locomotive was in Yard Mode through power cycles and Recall button presses. This allows for seamless transitions between a switcher in Yard Mode and a road locomotive in normal mode when using the Recall key -- the throttle will automatically switch to the last used mode for each locomotive. The throttle will remember the Yard Mode setting for all recently used locomotives that are still in the Recall list (up to 20), and apply it even if you select a recently used locomotive by address.
  • Certain system connections via JMRI are incorrectly reporting locomotives acquired as zero speed and all functions off, even if the locomotive is running on the layout. This makes the quick switching between locomotives using the Recall button very difficult to use. We recommend using Dual Throttle Mode which does not exhibit this issue and makes switching between two locomotives much faster.
  • If you regularly need to switch between more than two locomotives, we added a workaround in Settings > Throttle Settings > Drive Settings > Workaround for Recall 0 Speed. This will make the throttle keep all locomotives which were selected in the current session in a hidden consist, causing JMRI to correctly remember the locomotive state. You can still explicitly release a locomotive with Menu > Operations > Release/Dispatch. WARNING: this behavior can make most command stations really unhappy, so make sure you only enable it if absolutely necessary. So far we’ve only seen this issue on the NCE PowerCab and PowerHouse Pro when using it via JMRI and the NCE USB or Serial connections. The WFD-30 module from WiFiTrax does successfully report speed and function status to the throttle, and does not require this workaround. Use this feature at your own risk. If transitioning between layouts and command stations, turn this feature on or off as necessary.

Miscellaneous Changes

  • Added Help text to the Select Loco and Select Accessory screens. Use the [?] button on these screens to access the help.
  • Yard Mode On/Off can now be assigned as a function to any of the eight remappable buttons (including the soft keys), allowing you to turn Yard Mode on or off on any locomotive at any time with one button press.
  • In Yard Mode the double chevrons are permanently assigned to control the locomotive; any other functions specified for the double chevrons will be active only in Standard mode. Similarly, in Dual Throttle Mode the single chevrons are permanently assigned to the right side throttle.
  • Added a menu option to display and control track power in Menu > Settings > Track Power. This menu option can control layout power on any system that supports it. Track power may still be controlled via the E-STOP button if configured as a more convenient option.
  • The main screen will display when the throttle is in Offline mode. You may now exit Offline mode by selecting Menu > Network > Current Network > Reconnect, or by selecting a specific profile and the Connect Now command. Previously you had to turn off the throttle to exit Offline mode.
  • The throttle now supports pressing two buttons at the same time. For example while holding down the horn button, a chevron key in Yard Mode can be pressed. This also allows you to drive two locomotives in Dual Throttle Mode at the same time, including when both locos are in Yard Mode.
  • When the throttle gets into the automatic network discovery after turning on (this happens after a few seconds if reconnecting fails), it will print the name of the WiFi network it connected to on the top to aid in troubleshooting.

Bug Fixes

  • Fixed incorrect scrolling when exiting the Advanced parameters menu in the Network Profile.
  • Fixed incorrect line breaks on the Locomotive Steal dialog.
  • Fixed bug where it was impossible to use the E-STOP button to turn track power on when using an LNWI connection.
  • Fixed bug where selecting Menu > Network > Current Network > Reconnect showed a locomotive on the screen that could not be controlled. The locomotive is now correctly re-acquired after the reconnect.
  • Fixed bug where an unintuitive error message was left on the screen in Offline mode.
  • Fixed bug when an empty menu item was shown in the Main Menu under some circumstances.
  • Fixed bug where selecting an accessory from the search results was sometimes impossible if it was the only result in the list.
  • Fixed bug where the menu labels in the Consist Functions menu displayed 1 for F0.
  • Fixed bug where “Connected to {WiFi}” message was stuck on screen under some circumstances.
  • Fixed bug where F0/headlight was not correctly displayed after acquiring a locomotive under some circumstances.
  • Fixed bug where the direction sign was not correctly shown in Yard Mode under some circumstances.
  • Fixed bug where the double chevrons failed to repeatedly change speed when held down in normal speed control mode, whereas single chevrons worked with repeats.

 

How to install the update

 

Note: You must have the most recent version of TCS D.E.P.O.T. installed on your computer to download and install this update into your device. If you do not have the program installed, you can download it by clicking Here. Even if you already have the program installed, it needs to be updated to the latest version in order for the firmware update process to work properly. Re-download and install the program before continuing. Note: If during the installation progress the installer reports that Bonjour SDK was corrupted, select the "repair" option to continue and proceed as normal.

If you are using a Mac or Linux computer, CLICK HERE for alternative instructions, as the D.E.P.O.T. tool is not yet officially available for these platforms.

Once you have installed D.E.P.O.T., launch the program and Log In using your TCS User Credentials. Note that the TCS website and D.E.P.O.T. use separate login credentials than those you use when shopping with us. If you have not yet created those new login credentials, click Here. The new patch file will not become available until you log in.

It is recommended that you observe the battery level in your UWT-100 before starting the update process. If your indicator shows less than 25-50% remaining, replace your batteries as a precaution.

To install the update onto your UWT-100, follow these steps:

  1. Press and hold any button for three seconds to wake up the throttle
  2. Press Button 2 to complete the booting process
  3. Navigate to your network connection options via the menu and connect to the WiFi network you will be using to update the throttle. (This will be the same network your computer running D.E.P.O.T. is connected to.) If necessary, create a new profile for this network. If you are normally using LNWI/MRC-Wi/WifiTrax-NCE devices, power those down. If during your normal operations you use the same WiFi to which your D.E.P.O.T computer is connected to (typical for JMRI users), you can skip to step 5.
  4. Once the throttle has successfully connected to the network you will be using to update via D.E.P.O.T., power down the throttle.
  5. Once powered down, wake the throttle up again.
  6. Press Button 7 to boot the throttle into "bootloader mode." Do NOT press button 2.
  7. Launch TCS D.E.P.O.T., select Update Firmware>Update Throttle, and follow the on-screen instructions for updating a throttle.
  8. Select update "UWT-100 R(x.y)" via the drop-down and verify your throttle is connected to D.E.P.O.T. - The throttle will display "Connected to LCC" and D.E.P.O.T. will report your throttle ID number if the connection is successful. Please allow up to 2 minutes for the connection to complete (this is an extreme for very slow networks and old computers. A normal connection should only take a few seconds). If this process continues to fail, ensure both the throttle and the computer being used to update your throttle are connected to the same WiFi.
  9. Press "Write" to begin the updating process.

If you encounter issues during the updating process, follow these troubleshooting steps before contacting TCS technical support:

  1. Ensure your throttle is connected to the same network as the computer you will be using to update it.
  2. Ensure you have downloaded and installed the most recent version of D.E.P.O.T.
  3. Make sure you Log In every time you launch D.E.P.O.T.
  4. Ensure JMRI is not running a WiThrottle Server.

Note: If you use JMRI and have a WiThrottle server running, stop the server or Quit JMRI before updating any devices using D.E.P.O.T.

What's Neat This Week #120 Featuring TCS

TCS' Dan Mycio appears for the first time on the What's Neat This Week in Model Railroading show with Ken Patterson! Watch the video as Dan shares the inside scoop on the UWT-100. Also check out the locomotives available from Korea Brass USA, now on sale for viewers of the show! Check out what's new and exciting in the hobby with Ken Patterson and the What's Neat This Week podcast.

UWT-100 First Firmware Update is Now Available!

Release 1.4 is a minor software release that fixes critical bugs and brings minor improvements in certain areas based on the feedback of our users.

Changes:

 

Recall functionality

  • The number of available recall slots was increased from 8 to 20.
  • The locomotive which is currently selected on the throttle is no longer shown in the Menu > Recall list.
  • The Menu > Recall list title is updated to state clearly when the list is empty.
  • All entries can now be deleted from the Recall List.

Emergency Stop functionality

Based on user feedback, we made the Emergency Stop functionality safer to use and more predictable in behavior across different systems. We made the following changes to protect your valuable equipment from accidents:

  • An Emergency Stop can no longer be released by changing the speed, such as touching the wheel by accident.
  • In the default configuration your locomotive speed will be set to zero when engaging the Emergency Stop. This will prevent your locomotive from accelerating when you release the Emergency Stop. Note: when operating an entire show layout from a single throttle, we recommend configuring the Emergency Stop button to operate only the layout power option, and disabling the “Current Locomotive” E-Stop functionality. In this mode all locomotives retain their speed setting from prior to the E-Stop.
  • It is no longer possible to release the Emergency Stop while navigating the menus or other auxiliary screens. You can still engage the E-Stop from any screen by pressing the red button (one or more times).
  • The throttle will now ask for confirmation before releasing the Emergency Stop. This makes releasing the Emergency Stop a multiple-button-press process to ensure it is intentional. On the confirmation screen we will remind you what speed your locomotive will have after releasing the E-Stop.
  • Fixed bug where setting a locomotive to Emergency Stop then selecting a new locomotive caused the new locomotive to be incorrectly reported to be in Emergency Stop mode.

Park mode

  • Added a new action: Menu > Operations > Park/Un-Park Current Loco. This engages/releases the Emergency Stop function on the currently selected locomotive, regardless of the setting of the red E-Stop button. This can be used by operators whose train needs to remain stopped in a siding to prevent accidental movements of the train. The speed buttons and knob/wheel will not work while parked.

Bugs fixed in this release:

  • Fixed bug where single-stepping speed increase could not go past speed 49 on certain WiThrottle Protocol based systems.
  • Fixed bug in Yard Mode where changing direction using the yard mode buttons sometimes caused a brief movement of the locomotive in the previous direction.
  • Fixed bug where the throttle would not recall the last locomotive after a power cycle in certain situations.

How to install the update

Note: You must have the most recent version of TCS D.E.P.O.T. installed on your computer to download and install this update into your device. If you do not have the program installed, you can download it by clicking Here. Even if you already have the program installed, it needs to be updated to the latest version in order for the firmware update process to work properly. Re-download and install the program before continuing. Note: If during the installation progress the installer reports that Bonjour SDK was corrupted, select the "repair" option to continue and proceed as normal.

If you are using a Mac or Linux computer, CLICK HERE for alternative instructions, as the DEPOT tool is not yet officially available for these platforms.

Once you have installed D.E.P.O.T., launch the program and Log In using your TCS User Credentials. Note that the TCS website and D.E.P.O.T. use separate login credentials than those you use when shopping with us. If you have not yet created those new login credentials, click Here. The new patch file will not become available until you log in.

It is recommended that you observe the battery level in your UWT-100 before starting the update process. If your indicator shows less than 25-50% remaining, replace your batteries as a precaution.

To install update 1.4 onto your UWT-100, follow these steps:

  1. Press and hold any button for three seconds to wake up the throttle
  2. Press Button 2 to complete the booting process
  3. Navigate to your network connection options via the menu and connect to the WiFi network you will be using to update the throttle. (This will be the same network your computer running D.E.P.O.T. is connected to.) If necessary, create a new profile for this network. If you are normally using LNWI/MRC-Wi/WifiTrax-NCE devices, power those down. If during your normal operations you use the same WiFi to which your D.E.P.O.T computer is connected to (typical for JMRI users), you can skip to step 5.
  4. Once the throttle has successfully connected to the network you will be using to update via D.E.P.O.T., power down the throttle.
  5. Once powered down, wake the throttle up again.
  6. Press Button 7 to boot the throttle into "bootloader mode." Do NOT press button 2.
  7. Launch TCS D.E.P.O.T., select Update Firmware>Update Throttle, and follow the on-screen instructions for updating a throttle.
  8. Select update "UWT-100 R1.4" via the drop-down and verify your throttle is connected to D.E.P.O.T. - The throttle will display "Connected to LCC" and D.E.P.O.T. will report your throttle ID number if the connection is successful. Please allow up to 2 minutes for the connection to complete (this is an extreme for very slow networks and old computers. A normal connection should only take a few seconds). If this process continues to fail, ensure both the throttle and the computer being used to update your throttle are connected to the same WiFi.
  9. Press "Write" to begin the updating process.

If you encounter issues during the updating process, follow these troubleshooting steps before contacting TCS technical support:

  1. Ensure your throttle is connected to the same network as the computer you will be using to update it.
  2. Ensure you have downloaded and installed the most recent version of D.E.P.O.T.
  3. Make sure you Log In every time you launch D.E.P.O.T.
  4. Ensure JMRI is not running a WiThrottle Server.

Note: If you use JMRI and have a WiThrottle server running, stop the server or Quit JMRI before updating any devices using D.E.P.O.T.