New engines

I got a couple of new engines and since I temporally fixed my issue for Roco models, I updated those as well.

LS Models 17414DCS - NightJet Vectron BR 193 962-8

 

https://www.flickr.com/photos/191979005@N08/53941406201/

B-Models VB3605.03 - SNCB HLD 5111

 

https://www.flickr.com/photos/philstephenrichards/5976062234/

Piko 21688 - ČD Vectron BR 193 290-4 

 

https://www.flickr.com/photos/136314743@N04/41657962420/

Roco 70434 - ÖBB 1044.01

I bought this one because it was deeply discounted. I'm not sure just yet for which composition I will use it, but I know Rh 1044 is a very common engine for ÖBB.

https://www.roco.cc/ren/70434-electric-locomotive-104401-obb.html

It got address #1014:

Roco 70527 - ÖBB 1116 088-6

Check this post to see the pictures. I post here only the decoder with address #1116:

 

Roco 7510032 - ÖBB 1216 227-9

For the EC 73 "Smetana" Prague – Brno Hbf., I needed a ÖBB 1216!

https://www.bahnbilder.de/bild/oesterreich~e-loks~br-1216-e-190/633604/1216-233-oebb-mit-ec-73.html

 I purchased Roco 7510032 - ÖBB 1216 227-9:

https://www.roco.cc/ren/7510032-electric-locomotive-1216-227-9-obb.html

 And I gave it address #1216:

 

Roco 7510053 -  NightJet BR 185 552-7

Check this post to see the pictures. I post here only the decoder with address #1857:

 

Roco 7310010 - DB BR 218 150-1 

This is a diesel engine for my "Nordsee Express" train. I made a post about it here. As mentioned on that page, there's a special edition of the BR 218 in cream and blue livery, but it is sold out. Instead, I'm purchased the main Roco model that works well too.

https://www.reisezugwagen.eu/?p=45150

That main model is Roco 7310010 - DB BR 218 150-1:

https://www.roco.cc/ren/products/locomotives/diesel-locomotives/7310010-diesel-locomotive-218-150-1-db.html

It got address #2181:

 

Roco 70733 & 7500035- SNCB HLE 2870 & 2869 

This is a new InterCity composition with a new livery for HLE 28 from SNCB:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/193935765@N02/54192880310/

 I found Traxx BR186 on sales and I will use the DCC Sound for the HLE 2870 and the DC with ESU decoder for the HLE 2869:

 

Fixing the test bench for DCC-EX and Roco/Zimo

In various past posts, I mentioned that I could not configure Roco engines with a Zimo decoder through DCC-EX and JMRI - even though it just worked fine for a Piko loco ... Overall, the DCC-EX command station wasn't very stable.

I thought that the wiring on the test bench could be the issue. Because of the rotary switches, it could be that the track 1 and 2 were actually connected to each other, or something like that.

I made one change by disconnecting the rotary switch for track 2; therefore track 2 is now directly connected to the programming track of the DCC-EX command station.

 

 

The green and blue wires come from the DCC-EX command station, whereas the red and black wires come from the rotary switch for track 2.

And it's now working as a charm! I need to find a better solution since now I cannot connect track 2 to the ESU LokProgrammer or the AUX.

 

Upgrading DCC-EX

I had an issue with DCC-EX and JMRI where the programming track would not be turned on automatically and I struggled configuring decoders for Roco or Piko engines. I decided to take a look and upgrade DCC-EX at the same time.

Upgrading from 5.0.9 to 5.4.6

As usual, I download the zip file from the release page:

https://github.com/DCC-EX/CommandStation-EX/releases

 I then extract the zip file and double click on the "CommandStation-EX.ino" file that opens the Arduino IDE and all the related files.

Customizing DCC-EX code

For the display, I have to adjust some code to display exactly what I want. I also provide here the config files.

CommandStation-EX.ino

CommandStation-EX.ino

CommandDistributor.cpp

WifiInterface.cpp

myAutomation.h

mySetup.h

config.h

 I can then compile and upload the code to the Arduino.

Testing the new release and config

And now, I have the new version and the programming track always on!

Positions of the wires for the Wifi module

Positions of the wires for the display and the 2 sets of tracks

 

Success!

It's now working for Piko engines, and likely for the Roco too:

 

 

 

 

New engines

Two new engines and the sound decoder for my X 76501/76502 Hauts-de-France rénové.

 

DB BR 120

I happened to get this model with its sound decoder at a very reasonable price! This engine has been seen pulling the Paris-Moscow train!

 

https://www.flickr.com/photos/130916788@N06/50388899857/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/130916788@N06/49155605313/

It is ACME 69376.

https://www.reisezugwagen.eu/?p=16784

https://www.reisezugwagen.eu/?p=16784

https://www.reisezugwagen.eu/?p=16784

https://www.reisezugwagen.eu/?p=16784

https://www.reisezugwagen.eu/?p=16784

https://www.reisezugwagen.eu/?p=16784

I gave it address #1241.

 

 

ÖBB Class 1116 - Taurus

I need this locomotive for several international train compositions. 

https://www.flickr.com/photos/100737370@N02/14334603477/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/130916788@N06/54258976995/

It is Roco 70527. I need to change the DCC address; for now, it is #3.

 

 

X 76501/76502 Hauts-de-France rénové

Lastly, I thought my AGC had an issue until I found out that the decoder was missing. I now received the decoder from the store and I should install it next.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/165883554@N04/53295284261/

 

I gave it address #1241.