How-to Library | Installing an N scale TCS Keep-Alive

From start to finish, David Popp shares his techniques for installing a TCS KA-N1 Keep-Alive Capacitor into an N scale (1:160) modern diesel locomotive for use on his recently completed T-Trak module, as well as in Model Railroader magazine’s MR&T State Line Route project railroad (as featured in the January 2022 issue and Trains.com Video series)! […]

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To upgrade to DCC, or not to upgrade, that is the question

A man holds a model train throttle in front of two blue model locomotives.

Digital Command Control, or DCC, is one of two ways most modelers control their trains. Instead of sending current directly to the rails, and making any train that’s receiving that current move, DCC sends packets of information through the rails and to individual locomotives to tell them what to do. For a DCC system to […]

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Olympia 2, The Log Blog: Part 10 – Q&A and DCC

Foxcote Manor no. 7822 steam engine

Vacation is over, so it’s time for host David Popp to head back to the basement and his Olympia Logging Co. On30 layout! First, he addresses questions and comments that arrived while he was away this summer. He then works to add DCC functionality to an old steam locomotive. Plus, you’ll also see a quick […]

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Olympia 2, The Log Blog: Part 10 – Q&A and DCC

Foxcote Manor no. 7822 steam engine

Vacation is over, so it’s time for host David Popp to head back to the basement and his Olympia Logging Co. On30 layout! First, he addresses questions and comments that arrived while he was away this summer. He then works to add DCC functionality to an old steam locomotive. Plus, you’ll also see a quick […]

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Video: TCS WOWSound Steam Version 4 decoder

TCS WOWSound Steam Version 4 decoder

Senior editor Dana Kawala recently installed a WOWSound Steam Version 4 decoder and 28mm high-bass WOWSpeaker with enclosure from Train Control Systems into an HO scale 2-8-2 Mikado. The upgraded TCS decoder includes a new Calibrated Proto Chuff feature. Hear the new decoder in action as the HO scale steam locomotive speeds along the main […]

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Video: TCS WOWSound Steam Version 4 decoder

TCS WOWSound Steam Version 4 decoder

Senior editor Dana Kawala recently installed a WOWSound Steam Version 4 decoder and 28mm high-bass WOWSpeaker with enclosure from Train Control Systems into an HO scale 2-8-2 Mikado. The upgraded TCS decoder includes a new Calibrated Proto Chuff feature. Hear the new decoder in action as the HO scale steam locomotive speeds along the main […]

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