Hey everyone! I am stepping into the world of TCS command stations by trying out the LT-50 for a mini layout I am building. I was also hoping to use the UWT throttles I have to operate it as well. I have a question on this. Is there a way to add the WiFi capability to the command station? I am not seeing much in the way of this nor do I see a computer interface either. Thanks!
There is a way to do this but it is not exactly convenient at this time. There is a WiFi access device in development but no specific timeline for release, I've seen it and handled it at the last Amherst show. As for PC interface, the RJ45 ports on the fascia panel can be connected to the PC using an RR-CirKits LCC-Buffer or other LCC node which exposes USB access (I've been developing one and it's off for FCC testing). For your other UWTs, I believe they should work if you use an LCC-Buffer with JMRI configured as an LCC hub.
This was the route I seen as a possibility, I was just hoping for an easier solution, and experience from others.
Unfortunately there is no simpler option, yet. The MRC Nexxt Gateway would work for this as would the TCS WiFi devices whenever they release it.
Hopefully, the LCS WiFi Panel will be available soon, but they've been saying it would be out in Spring 2023 for quite a long time now (it's already Spring 2024 now!)
The last version I saw still had a few bodge wires on it as fixes, it's possible it was an older version still though. I wouldn't expect the TCS one to release until late summer / fall at the earliest since it will still need to go through FCC testing if it hasn't already.
