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.
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:
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:
If you encounter issues during the updating process, follow these troubleshooting steps before contacting TCS technical support:
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.
TCS is announcing a new addition to our WOWSound lineup: WOWSteam UK!
Created to meet the needs of DCC and DC modellers in the United Kingdom, the TCS WOWSteam UK decoder comes pre-loaded with 10 chuff sets, 16 whistles, and a variety of other sounds perfect for UK modellers. This decoder features authentic CD-quality recordings from locations across the UK including the North Tyneside Steam Railway and Stephenson Railway Museum, Perrygrove Railway, and more. This decoder is available now in both hardwire and 21-pin varieties.
WOWSound
With WOWSound decoders you know you are getting the real sounds of locomotives carefully recorded, preserved, and played back without distortion or manipulation. WOWSound’s signature CD-Quality audio provides modelers with the closest experience to standing track side.
Chuff Sets
This decoder comes pre-loaded with a Chuffinity™️ chuffset. Instead of the same chuff sound repeated over and over, chuffs vary in character, volume, and intensity in prototypical fashion. Featuring a tenfold increase in the number of chuff sounds per locomotive over previous WOWSteam offerings, WOWSteam with Chuffinity creates diverse, realistic sounds to match your operations and environment every time.
All of our other standard chuff sets come with WOWSteam UK decoders too, including generic chuff sets for light, medium, and heavy steam locomotives.
Whistles
You'll find 16 different whistle types available in WOWSteam UK decoders. From the robust LNER 3-Chime, to the modest whistle of the Ashington No. 5, a wide variety of single note and multi-note chimes are included to match your prototypes.
Operational Features:
Light Features:
Sound Features:
Head to our shop and reserve some TCS WOWSteam UK decoders for your locomotives. Our first shipment is on it's way to our UK branch for distribution, so don't wait to give these decoders a try! Visit our store to place an order today!
We are proud to join the What's Neat show as a sponsor, and support Ken Patterson and the rest of the team as they continue to produce interesting and informative content for the model railroading community.
Take a look at this week's segment on the UWT-100 Universal WiFi Throttle. James Regier discusses the ease of consisting with our throttle compared to other systems, and the compatibility of the UWT-100 with NCE systems, Digitrax systems, and more. Segment begins at 18:00.
The article below is reproduced from Rapido Newsletter Vol. 122, released Friday, March 13. We are very excited to be working with Rapido Trains and look forward to many successful collaborations! - Stephen
Article begins here:
Earlier I mentioned Rapido-TCS decoders in the HO scale M420. I'd like to tell you more about this new collaboration.
We feel it is best to have more than one decoder supplier, and we've been very impressed with the folks at Train Control Systems. Our main concern with having two suppliers is that we want our locomotives to work well together. So we have been working with TCS to create a custom Rapido-TCS decoder that is fully compatible with our ESU LokSound-equipped locomotives. We are continuing to use ESU for many of our locomotive projects, and we want you to feel confident running your different Rapido engines together.
Please note that the Rapido-TCS decoder is not a WOWSound decoder. It is a new collaborative product.
Mohan checks out the Quality Control camera at TCS headquarters. Inspecting the decoder circuit
boards manually used to take half an hour. Now it takes less than a minute.
TCS is a family business and their decoders are all made in-house in the USA. This month we visited their shop in Pennsylvania and we'll be posting a video in the next few days. The video will show the TCS operation as well as how our ESU-equipped and TCS-equipped engines can play nicely together. The vibe at TCS is almost exactly the same as the vibe at Rapido – you can tell these guys really love what they are doing.
Mohan is entranced by one of the TCS Pick And Place machines. This creates the decoders while you watch. It's really neat!
TCS now has a wi-fi compatible throttle (also made in the USA) which was a joy to use, and they have almost finished the development of a TCS Desktop Programmer which does exactly what it says on the box: it will allow you to connect your PC to your track and customize the programming of your locomotives with easy-to-use software. It's also universal and can adjust the settings of all of your DCC-equipped locomotives. The programmers should hit store shelves around the same time as our M420.
Rapido-TCS decoders will all have Keep Alive® and will incorporate many of the other proprietary TCS features as options.
- Jason Shron, Rapido Trains Inc.
Perhaps you find yourself asking "How in the world am I supposed to attach the lanyard to my new UWT-100?"
You're not alone. We hear you. And we made a video to answer this burning question.