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Shourt Line College of DCC & MTS
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3 day Seminar, Thurs. Sept. 17, – Sat. Sept. 19, 2015

DCC 302 Advanced Seminar - Expert Level

Advanced reservations required

DCC301 Builidng a 6 board 12 LED lighitng fixture for LGB coach    3    4    5    DCC301 F7A DCC and LED lighitng conversion

DCC301 Custom LED drop ceiling design and installation    DCC301 LED lighted interior in LGB coach    DCC301 Class Activities    DCC301 LED coach lighting installed

The DCC 301 Seminar includes class room lessons, demonstrations and intensive hands-on instruction. Attendees learn how to convert locos to DCC and digital sound and add custom LED lighting boards to their cars. PC software multi-train control hands-on set-up & operation with RocRail software. Each student also all seminar presentation materials and resources links.

Click here for Seminar Registration Form PDF

DCC 302
3 Day Class

Advanced DCC Seminar – Expert Level Curriculum
Prerequisite: DCC 301 or advanced previous experience with DiMax bus systems, DCC conversion, setup, basic decoder programming & installation and DCC operation or instructor permission.

Curriculum: The curriculum will be sent in advance to all students so that material may be studied prior to class and to maximize the time available for student projects. This will keep discussion time to a minimum to allow maximum time for hands-on exercises and student projects.

Schedule:Three 3 day Seminar, Thurs. Sept. 17, – Sat. Sept. 19, 2015 9AM - 5PM

Lunch: Is included each day

Day 1:

Start:                          9:00AM

  • Introductions
  • DCC Quick Review
  • DCC Advancements
  • DiMAX, MTS and DCC
    • Manufacturers Product Comparisons
    • Group operation w/ ESU & PIKO systems.
    • LGB MTS I, II and III, ESU & DCC demonstrations

Morning Break:       10:30AM to 10:45AM

  • DCC Overview of current trends and products
  • LGB/Marklin, ESU, ESU, PIKO, Uhlenbrock, Zimo, Digitrax, Phoenix, SPROG, NCE & others
  • Systems, decoders, programmers & sound systems
  • Reverse loop demo 3 ways DCC hook-up and DC wiring with hands-on exercise
  • Switch Decoder demo 8 ways to hook up devices, switches, signals motors cranes windmills and what every you want hands-on exercise
  • Advanced Power supply use and wiring for DCC, lighting, EPL motors and accessories

Lunch Break:          12:30PM to 1:30PM

  • Q&A
  • Advanced DCC
    • Review and Advanced Layout design, decoder and system options, wiring and installation, configuration, operation and programming
    • Circuit Theory and Advanced Applications
  • Sound Systems
    • Custom 3 and 6 watt stereo custom installations and DCC interfaces
    • Advanced speaker systems, installations and testing - SUSI based products
  • Smoke Systems
    • Available systems – demo and hands-on operation, programming & installation
    • Make your own
  • Conversions, Maintenance and Repair
    • Advanced hands-on programming, installation, wiring, lubrication & repair
    • SPROG II and III demonstrations for Programming and Operations

Afternoon Break:    3:00PM to 3:15PM

  • Individual Activities Hands-on
    • Group Train Operations Hands-on
    • Individual Loco Conversions Hands-on
    • Individual Projects Hands-on
    • Advanced Soldering, Adhesives & Machine tool Practice Hands-on

End:                           5:00PM

Day 2:

Start:                          9:00AM

  • Advanced Decoder Best Practice
    • Manufacturers Product Comparisons
    • SPROG II & III Decoder hands-on exercises
    • Sound reed switch Installation
    • Axle sound sync options
    • Advanced hall effect switch theory, installation and wiring
    • Power buffers; battery, cap and supper theory, demonstrations, hands-on exercises
    • Stop on DC Operations and hands-on exercises
    • LGB MTS I, II and III, DiMAX & DCC demonstration & compatibility Decoders
  • Decoders & Sound Boards
    • Advanced motor block conversions
    • Sound Decoders & Speakers hands-on exercises
    • 3 and 6 watt sound system demonstration
  • Rocrail PC software train control & 3rd party software overview
    • PC based software overview
    • RockRail installation and operation demo
    • RocRail multi-train automation and manual loco control via P

Morning Break:       10:30AM to 10:45AM

  • Advanced Lighting hands-on
    • Advanced Lighting Circuit Design and Applications – hands-on exercises each student to build their own 2 LED 2 board set
    • Loco, car and layout lighting, design, installation, wiring, DCC control and dimming
    • Voltage regulators, current regulators and PWM (pulse width modulation) circuits for lighting & motor control.
  • Boosters
    • Manufacturers Product Comparisons
    • Breaking, Reverse Loop & other Modules hands-on operation
    • Individual hands-on operation
  • Rocrail PC software
      • Demonstration & hands on operation

Lunch Break:          12:30PM to 1:30PM

  • Advanced Automation demonstrations with feedback options for central station & PC software control
  • Train automation via central station and PC programs
  • Feedback control, track contacts and loco magnets
  • Hands-on exercise and demonstrations
  • Individual automation hands-on operation

Afternoon Break:    3:00PM to 3:15PM

  • Individual Activities Hands-on
    • LED Lighting and wiring Hands-on
    • Individual DCC Train Practice Hands-on
    • Individual Loco Conversions Hands-on
    • Individual Projects Hands-on
    • Advanced Soldering, Adhesives & Machine Practice Hands-on

End:                           5:00P

Day 3:

Start:                          9:00AM

  • Train automation via central station and PC programs
  • Advanced circuits
  • SUSI. DiMAX, Loconet, MTS buses Hands-on exercise
  • SUSI pulse smoker, sound board demonstration Hands-on exercise
  • Buffers; battery and capacitor types
    •  Hands-on exercise and demonstrations
  • Battery Operated DCC
  • Switch motors
    • Mfg. reviews, demonstrations, hands-on exercises
  • RC servo
    • Applications; Uncouplers, catenary automation, animation
    • Hands-on exercise and demonstrations – each student to receive RC servo for hands-on installation, wiring and testing in their own car or loco
    • Use of RC servos for automation

Morning Break:       10:30AM to 10:45AM

  • Circuits for simultaneous device operation by DCC and manual switch box or control boards – demonstrations & hands-on exercise
  • Train automation options demonstrations, hands-on exercises
    • Trolley Automation
    • Station Automation
    • Rigi-Cable Car Automation
    • Hump yard Automation
  • Advanced DCC & sound system conversion techniques to original manufacturers specifications
  • Advanced Skills Hands-on
    • Hands-on instruction advanced machining, soldering, spot welding, gluing and electronic test equipment use.
  • Advanced loco maintenance, repair and testing.

Lunch Break:          12:30PM to 1:30PM

  • Individual & Group Activities Hands-on
    • Individual Train Operation Hands-on
    • Group Train Operation Hands-on

Afternoon Break:    3:00PM to 3:15PM

  • Project Completion
    • Individual Loco Conversions Hands-on
    • Individual Projects Hands-on
  • Wrap-up
    • Return Feedback Cards
    • Hand out discount coupons
    • Wrap-up
End:                          5:00PM

Registration: All class reservations are offered on a first come first serve basis – advanced registrations required for all classes.

Individual DCC Loco Conversions: Attendees may wish to ship their locos in advance to the Shourt Line shipping address. If machine work is desired by the Shourt Line please allow 10 working days prior to the seminar to ensure your loco is ready. Please order any decoders and conversion hardware 10 days prior to the conference; please contact the Shourt Line for help in ordering parts required for your locos conversion. Time is scheduled each day for attendees to perform a DCC conversion on their own loco.

Date: Three 3 day Seminar, Thurs. Sept. 17, – Sat. Sept. 19, 2015

Sign in Time: 8:45AM to 9:00 AM Thursday

Lunch: Lunch is provided each day.

Class Location:Oceanside, CA 92051

Seminar Parking: TBA

Hotels:

Instructor: James E. Shourt (Professor)
Enrollment: 8 persons maximum

Terms and conditions:
Payment in full required to hold reservation. All reservations are non-refundable except in the event of class cancellation. All seats will be made available on a first come first serve basis. Class times are; 1 day 10AM-5PM, 3 Day 9AM-5:00 PM, Parking is provided, Lunch and hotel room costs not included, dinner is provided for the last day of 3 day classes. Discount Hotel reservations available (see Seminar Class Schedule for more information). All attendees of a 3 day class will receive include a 20% off any brand and 30% off PIKO brand MSRP coupon for purchases and a CD with class outline and presentation materials for class participant use only and not for distribution. Classes will be audio and/or /video recorded for private use of the Shourt Line and will be made available to participants upon request.

Payment options:
No fee options:

  • PayPal – No Fee Method (Contact the ShourtLine.com for no fee payment  from a US bank account).
  • Check in USD made out to the Shourt Line. Mail to (Shourt Line, Attn. Seminar Reservations, 1786 Oceanside, CA 92051 - All payments must be received 48 hours prior to the start of class.)

Fee based payment options: (4.1% fee is added to the base class fee)

  • PayPal – payment from by credit card or PayPal account
  • Major Credit Cards (Call the Shourt Line at 310-622-4431 for credit card payment)

 

By the end of this seminar you should:

  • Understand the features of DCC equipment
  • Understand equipment, track & decoder wiring
  • Understand and be able to setup RocRail PC based Multi-Train Automation and Operation
  • Be able to convert analog locos to DCC
  • Be able to program automated functions
  • Be able to wire & program any decoder
  • Be able to configure loco and central station functions
  • Be able to choose the right system for any layout requirements
  • Become proficient at multi-train operations, switch routes, consisting and loco configuration.
  • Become proficient in loco maintenance, repair and conversion
  • Gain new skills and techniques for model railroading

 

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After registering for each class a parking pass and class attendance confirmation will be mailed within 24 hours - click on the links below for class registration form and complete class details.

Click here for Seminar Registration Form PDF

 

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