Consist vs. solo engine use with MRC?

[Deane Johnson]

Other than a little setup on a test track, I haven't used the MRC Prodogy Avanced 2 much yet, hence my question.

If I set 3 engines up within a Consist, assigning a consist number, do I have the option of using the engines independently using their assigned Loco number?  If so, can I then go back to running them collectively as a consist?

I suppose another way of asking might be, can an engine have a Loco number assigned to it and also a Consist number, allowing usage of the engine to be switched back and forth between Loco and Consist numbers as usage for the engine changes?

 

[RR_Mel]

I have an old Prodigy system (10 yrs) and no it won’t let you control any locomotive by it’s address if it is assigned to a consist.  If you clear the consist while running each locomotive will remain operating at the assigned speed it was running in the consist.

 

I only run two locomotive consists and I don’t like using consist mode so I program the same address in both locomotives, works good for me.  I only go with an E-7 A-B conisist using a drawbar between locomotives for my passenger trains.

 

 

 

Mel

 

Modeling the early to mid 1950s SP in HO scale since 1951

 

 

My Model Railroad   

http://melvineperry.blogspot.com/

 

Bakersfield, California

 

I'm beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.

 

[MisterBeasley]

You will find that consisting is something that is done differently by different DCC systems.

On my Lenz system, if I put two engines in a consist, I can then run the consist using either the consist address or either of the engine addresses.  The engines can not be operated independently until they are de-consisted.

If you run in a club or just take your engine to another layout for a spin, de-consist it before you leave to avoid weird behavior.

[richhotrain]

NCE is similar. Locos in a consist can only be run as a consist. You can delete a loco from a consist and then run it independently. But, it must first be deleted from the consist.

Rich

[Deane Johnson]

Thanks for the replies.  It would appear that all systems work pretty much the same in this regard.  I appreciate the help.

Deane

[rrinker]

 You can, with most systems, select the loco's solo address and operate functions, like blowing the horn. But it won't drive, or it will control the speed and direction of the entire consist. 

                                     --Randy