The Truth about 16-Bit Sound

You might hear the term "16-bit sound" being thrown around when researching sound decoders, but do you actually know what it means? Find out the answer in our latest video! Follow TCS on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tcsdcc/

Get WOWSound installed at the Cincinatti Express Convention

Register for an installation at the show and have it completed while you browse!

Ken Knott of DCC Express Installations will be stationed next to the TCS booth performing WOWSound installations Friday and Saturday (May 18th and 19th) at the Mid-East Regional NMRA show. Installation and WOWKit are included for the show special price of $120. Drop your engine off and enjoy the show floor, or watch and learn as your installation is performed. Don't miss this opportunity to get a WOWSound installation on sale!

Click Here to sign up for an installation at the Mid-Atlantic Regional NMRA Show

Bachmann and TCS: The ACS-64 Story

Bachmann and TCS teamed up to make a WOWSound equipped, HO-Scale, Siemens ACS-64.

 We had a great experience working with Amtrak officials to get the required sounds from the ACS-64 locomotive.

As we entered the offices at the Ivy City Shops in Washington D.C. we came across this beautiful inlaid floor tile (~3' x 4') celebrating the work they do here.

 Though we started recording on engine #621 part way through the day we had to switch to engine #600. #621 was required for servicing in shop.

Here you can see JD from TCS in the cab setting up the recording equipment again.

 There were some challenges throughout the recording day. Off and on rain showers and nearly 2 hours without catenary power, but the yard crews worked diligently to get us up and recording again. How would you like to troubleshoot that wiring?

We ran out of time in the first shift to get all the sounds we wanted to get. However, Amtrak officials graciously approved us to continue recording through a second shift. 

It made for a long day, but through the excellent support of Amtrak and the diligent work of the TCS team we perfectly captured the sound of the Siemens ACS-64.
 

We were able to obtain clean recordings of the sounds of the pantograph going up and down from the service walkways. It was cool to hear the crack of the arc jump when the pantrographs engaged the wire. And oh yes, we got that sound included in the decoder as well!

Turntables still exist in modern locomotive facilities as evidenced by this beautiful one in the Ivy City yard.
 

In case you were curious about the inside of the ACS-64. Above left is the view from the cab down the center walkway through the belly of the ACS-64. The door at the far-end is the entrance to the other cab. Above right is the lavatory which is located along the hallway.

Nathan Airchime horns atop the ACS-64.
 

Cab view of the ACS-64 #600.

We commend Amtrak's gracious salute to our Veterans with this commemorative locomotive.

Thanks for Another Great Amherst Model Railway Train Show!

Thank you to everyone who came out to the TCS booth and made this year's Amherst Model Railway Train Show awesome!

We received a lot of great feedback and interest on the Throttle and Command Station we are currently developing.
From our visitors we heard that the ergonomic throttle design and WiFi throttle interface make this an exciting new option for modelers like you.
Check back regularly for updates on this exciting new product!

A few other features we are excited about:
• The FIRST fully LCC compatible Command Station
• 8 Remappable buttons for customized operations
• Throttle is a standalone WiFi Throttle device capable of controlling any system connected to JMRI
•Throttle can be automatically or manually updated directly over the internet
• Leveraging state of the art technology from more advanced industries

Announcing Two New Bachmann Steam WOWKits

We're introducing two new WOWKits for Bachmann steam locomotives! Watch the announcement video above to learn more.