TCS Depot is in Beta!
Despite the final leg of our throttle production being held up by our injection molding process, we have been making great strides on many other throttle-related things here at TCS.
The most exciting one is the introduction of the TCS DEPOT.
The DEPOT (Desktop Engineering Programming and Operations Tool) is a comprehensive software programming tool from TCS. As you might have gathered from the name, this is a one-stop solution for TCS decoders, throttles, and other trackside devices. Once the DEPOT is downloaded to a user's computer, it can communicate with your layout, throttles, and decoders via WiFi or USB connections, in the same way as JMRI and other model railroad software applications.
It might not look like much right now, and that's intentional. Currently, the tool can update software in UWT-100 Universal WiFi Throttle units. We're making our first beta version of the tool available to our testers and anyone else that is interested in taking a look. As we continue to develop and add to our feature set, the tool will expand and users will be able to do more with their throttles, decoders and more. You can download a copy for yourself (Windows systems only - Windows 8 or better) on our DEPOT page.
Recording on the SEPTA Norristown High Speed Line
A new Behind-the-scenes recording trip video is available! In May of 2019, TCS visited SEPTA's 69th Street Transportation Center to record the Norristown High-Speed Line N5 car. The N5 was produced by Asea Brown Boveri (ABB Traction) for use on the interurban R100 (now Norristown) Line. Units were delivered in 1993 and continue to operate to this day.
The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) is Philadelphia's regional public transportation network that operates bus, rapid transit, commuter rail, light rail, and electric trolleybus services for nearly 4 million people in five counties in and around Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
SEPTA is currently considering an expansion of the Norristown High Speed Line to King of Prussia, PA to serve the multitude of businesses and shopping destinations there. You can learn more about the proposal and project here.
Check out other interesting videos on our Videos page.
Reflections on Steam at Strasburg
Throughout October, TCS has taken multiple trips to the Strasburg Railroad, oldest continuously operating railroad in the US. N&W J Class steam locomotive 611 has been a “celebrity guest” at Strasburg for the last month or so, and we’ve been in the process of recording the engine for our WOWSound decoders.
On our most recent trip, we had an amazing steam experience that I feel is worth talking about. The crew set up our recording gear at the northern terminus of the Strasburg line, near the runarounds and switching spurs. On this particular day, there was a guest operator outing where regular folks paid to take the controls of the various steam locomotives and drive or fire them. There were three locomotives under steam and moving between trains at the junction - all at the same time. Where else could you experience this?
We stood between the spurs and watched and listened as these three iron horses worked around us, passing each other again and again. Each one traveled within 20 yards of us at times - it was a steam enthusiasts’ paradise! The sights and sounds were overwhelming, and very much timeless. It could have been a scene directly from the mid 1940s that we were lucky enough to experience in 2019.
This event was not open to the public, so I’d imagine that there were relatively few folks who actually got to see these three steam locomotives in action together. It was quite a rare experience and one that I will cherish for a long time.
-John Forsythe
Job Opportunity: Engineering Assistant
Do you want to work at TCS? Know someone else who might? We have a new opening for an Engineering Assistant!
This position will work directly alongside our product engineers and provide support on a wide range of projects. The ideal candidate has an electronics background, and experience with model trains or hobby electronics is a plus. Please contact us for more information regarding this position.
TCS Office: (215) 453-9145
Email: tcs @ tcsdcc.com
TCS is teaming up with Rapido - Later
At this time Rapido Trains has chosen to not use the Rapido-TCS decoder for the upcoming Alco PA/PB locomotive. While both companies still look forward to working together these PA/PB locomotive will not ship with a TCS manufactured decoder.
TCS will be releasing a custom decoder preset to be a perfect fit in the Rapido PA/PB. Pre-Orders will be opening for this decoder soon so check back here for additional details.
More information - including road names, pricing, and pre-order details - can be found on Rapido's website.