New Digitrax Firmware Update For UR-93 (Updated Feb 27, 2021)

Digitrax has posted new firmware files - one for the UR93 and one for the UR93CE.

The description states that this firmware fixes problems with NetName issues, and is recommended for all UR93 and UR93 devices. 

The issue was first reported on the digitrax-users.groups.io forum by Ken Mazer on January 4, 2021:

"Has anyone noticed the Duplex Group Name changing after installing a UR93?  I've had a UR92 for years and have had zero issues with the name changing.  Before the holidays I purchased a UR93 and added that the the UR91/UR92 Loconet network.  Now I'm having issues with the Duplex Group Name changing when track power has been turned OFF and back ON.  Does anyone know if the name has to be 8 alphanumeric characters, can it be 6?  Here's what I have and have seen:

DGN = Mazerk

Changed to:

DGN = Mazerj*
DGN = Mazerh#
DGN = Mazeri:

When it gets changed its always the last character that changes and another is added, and the added character is normally a special character (#$%!;"). Just wondering if anyone else has experienced the same issues. I have submitted this as a problem to Digitrax Support and I'm awaiting a reply."

<UPDATE>
This update also resolves a second issue reported to Digitrax in November involving an inconsistent (invalid?) response to a query for the duplex password.  It turned out this only occurred on LocoNets with both a UR92 and a UR93.

You will find this firmware at the Digitrax "Downloads" page.

---

If you have an idea for a blog post here, let me know. If I can comment on it, I will or I'll see if someone else can and post it

Digitrax Announcement of Newly Retired Products

The following products are being retired at this time, and will no longer be available:

• DT-DT500
• DT-DT500D
• DT-DT500DCE
• ACC-BATCOV
• MS-MS100
• SFX-SFX064D
• UR-UR92
• UR-UR92CE

- The Digitrax Team

---

If you have an idea for a blog post here, let me know. If I can comment on it, I will or I'll see if someone else can and post it

UWT-100 Firmware Update 2.2 is Now Available!

Release 2.2 is a scheduled software release that adds new User Experience enhancements, brings improvements to existing features based on the feedback of our users and our development schedule, resolves compatibility issues, and fixes some minor bugs.

Read a full listing of all added features, bug fixes, LCC related changes, etc. here.

---

If you have an idea for a blog post here, let me know. If I can comment on it, I will or I'll see if someone else can and post it

Programming the ESU Loksound Automatic (Train) Brake

In a previous post the author illustrated the procedure to program a locomotive’s Independent Brake. Version 5 Loksound decoders also have the ability to simulate the locomotive’s automatic (also known as the ‘train’) brake. The only differences between programming these two brakes is first, the automatic brake has a different brake number than the independent brake, usually Brake 2. Second, those of us that have controllers that only contain 28 function keys will have to do a small amount of extra work to get the automatic brake into the 28 function range. This is due to the train brake being set to F30 which we cannot reach. Here’s how.

After loading your sound file and changing to the Function Mapping selection of the Decoder pane, select either an empty function slot between 0 and 28 or if you don’t have an empty one choose one that you don’t use. In fig 1 the author selected F12 since he doesn’t use the Dimmer function and this also keeps the independent brake (F10) and train brake (now F12) close together and easy to select. Look for the automatic brake function and see which brake number it is (usually brake 2).Under the logical functions column select Brake 2.

                                                                            Fig 1

Under the Sounds column select whichever sound is associated with the automatic brake for your sound project. In this example it is the RS-11 26L Automatic Brake. In the conditions column select ignore the F9 (Drive Hold) function. See Fig 2.

                                                                            Fig 2

From this point on the procedure is identical to that given in the Independent Braking post except the brake number has changed to 2. You can either leave the original F30 as is since you cannot reach it anyway or you can remove it. 

An exercise for the reader is to prevent each of the two brakes from interfering with each other.

---

If you have an idea for a blog post here, let me know. If I can comment on it, I will or I'll see if someone else can and post it

ScaleTrains.com Acquires M.T.H. HO & S Scale Tooling

Just in case you haven't heard (and the author would find that hard to believe) Scale Trains now owns MTH's HO and S scale line. This lessens the blow to the hobby that the author announced in the post of June 2020.

Scale Trains announced the acquisition on their website. There is also a 4 minute YouTube video on the topic.

---

If you have an idea for a blog post here, let me know. If I can comment on it, I will or I'll see if someone else can and post it

The Salt Lake City Train Shoppe Is Moving (Updated Feb 20 2021)

The author doesn't normally write about topics such as this but in this case he feels it necessary.

"We regret to announce that due to economic and other circumstances beyond our control, we will be closing the 2964 South State Street Train Shoppe location at the end of February, 2021.

We are currently looking to secure a new location for the retail business, and we welcome you to check back here and on our Facebook page for up to date information concerning this. Also keep in mind that our online sales operation will continue uninterrupted during this transition, and we certainly welcome orders during this time.

We want to thank all our loyal customers for their patronage, and hope that you will follow us to our new future home!"

This is sad news as this was the only local model train shop that catered mostly to HO model railroaders although they had an excellent O scale inventory. The author is surprised they were able to hold on this long with the pandemic really putting a dent in sales plus the other problems they've had with their real estate manager and the city.

Jeff, Randy and Cliff, hopefully, you will re-open in a better, more amenable location not too far out of town. Model Railroaders need a place to go!

<UPDATE>

Great news everyone! We are very excited to announce that we have found a new home for both our retail store, and our Ricochet Canyon family fun center. Both will be moving to the incredibly awesome Gardner Village shopping complex in West Jordan, Utah!

The new Train Shoppe retail store will be located in building #29 on the South West side of the property. Please take note that our current location on 2964 South State Street will be closed permanently on Saturday, February 27th. We will then celebrate the grand reopening of the retail store at the Gardner Village location on Saturday, March 6th!

The new Ricochet Canyon family fun area will be located outdoors next the Farm petting zoo on the West side of the property, and should be open to the public by early Summer of this year. This wild west themed area will feature over 20,000 square feet of rides, operating train layouts, birthday party venues, and much, more! Keep checking both here and on our Facebook page for more information about this awesome new area!

Thanks again to all our great customers who have helped make our business what it is. We look forward to serving you and your families for many years to come!

---

If you have an idea for a blog post here, let me know. If I can comment on it, I will or I'll see if someone else can and post it