Features And Operation; Modes Of Operation - M.T.H. HO 4-8-8-4 Big Boy Engineer's Manual

FEATURES AND OPERATION

Now, for the fun stuff! Your new MTH HO Steam engine has more features and
operating capabilities than any HO engine ever built by any manufacturer. We're
going to walk you through everything she does in general but, you'll probably find a
few we forgot to mention on your own.

Modes of Operation

There are 3 modes of operation with different levels of features accessible in each.
We refer to them as Analog DC, DCC, and DCS. Here's a little more explanation
of each mode.
Analog DC
This is when there is nothing connected to the rails except a conventional DC
power pack. These power packs generally have at least one variable output
controlled by a throttle of some sort and a means of reversing DC polarity on the
track to change the direction of your engine.
DCC
DCC is a popular digital command control scheme wherein the track power is also
a digital control signal. That is, using a DCC controller, you can communicate with
multiple engines and have them all moving at different speeds or moving in
opposite directions on the same track at the same time. The power/command
signal remains constant and engines are "commanded" to perform as desired.
MTH is new to DCC but, we recognize it's importance to many HO operators. So,
we loaded our engine with more DCC features easily accessible to the operator
than any HO engine ever built previously. You DCC guys are in for a real treat!
DCS - Digital Command System
While the acronyms are close, this is where the similarity ends between DCC and
DCS. Yes they are both digital control systems. However, M.T.H. DCS is not DCC.
There are several proprietary versions of DCC on the market, but DCS is not one
of them. M.T.H.'s DCS System is a proven technology in the O Gauge, One
Gauge, and HO Gauge markets. First the power signal in DCS is not the command
signal. Next DCS employs a fully functional bi-directional communication scheme
opening a vast range of advanced features and yet so simple and intuitive that you
can enjoy them. No programming tracks, bits and bytes, or conversion of binary to
hexadecimal numbers here. To add an engine in DCS, press "ADD ENGINE".
After that, if you want to start your engine just press "START UP" or to turn the
smoke unit on or off, just press "SMOKE". No combination of letters or numbers
to remember.
Additional details can be found in the DCS manual that accompanies your DCS
system or on the MTH Web site, www.mthtrains.com/DCS. With DCS, you can
have a whole fleet of MTH PS 3.0 engines on the rails and they will remain shut
down until you command them to start up.
M.T.H. HO 4-8-8-4 Big Boy Steam Engine
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