When I use advanced consisting to control two sound equipped locomotives, it seems that I can either control the consist, or the sound on an individual locomotive. I'd think it'd make sense for the locomotive on the "front" to take the lead on sounds when I'm controlling an advanced consist. Any advise on accomplishing this?
Which DCC system are you using?
I have a Lenz system, and I can run a consist from either the consist address or any of the individual engine addresses. All motor sounds in the consist respond to either set of commands. I generally run my consists from the lead engine address, so I can also activate the horn, bell, etc., while running. No special CV programming is needed to accomplish this.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
Digitrax works pretty much the same, when using a DT throttle. The consist can be controlled by any loco in it, or even a dummy 'phantom' address that is none of the actual locos. You can dial up the lead loco on the second throttle knob and blow the horn only on that loco. For say 3 units you could use the middle one as the consist control for speed and direction, and then dial up the lead loco on the other throttle for controlling the horn and bell (motor sounds and the random stuff like air pump and blow off should occur on all units, consist or not). When you head back the other way, the former trailing loco is now the lead, so dial that one up on the second knob instead and boom, you are blowing the horn only on the lead loco.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
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