New to DCC. Question: Can you control multiple trains at the same time with one cab or is one cab per operating train required?
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Darren (BLHS & CRRM Lifetime Member)
Delaware and Hudson Virtual Museum (DHVM), Railroad Adventures (RRAdventures)
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csx - ns New to DCC. Question: Can you control multiple trains at the same time with one cab or is one cab per operating train required?
Which particular DCC system are you interested in?
Depends, do you mena under control, or start and let run? If you mean actually in control, you need 1 throttle per runnign train - except Digitrax DT series throttles actually have two throttle knobs so you cna have live control of 2 trains at once. Most any system will let you start a train, then switch to another while the first continues to run, at the same speed and direction it last was running. Up tot he limit of the system. And usually there's an emergency stop in case things get out of hand, since you have no control over any train not actually selected on teh throttle.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
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As Randy Rinker said, it depends on the DCC system you're using. EasyDCC from CVP Products of Richardson, Texas, has two throttle knobs on their basic console, so you can simultaneously control two separate trains with it, even if they are on a single track.
NCE DCC throttles have a "recall" stack that allows you to switch from one train to another, up to 6 trains, depending on which of their systems you're using.
The Lenz LH-100 throttle has a "stack" of up to 32 locomotive addresses that you can scroll through. Still, only one train is under active control at any given time. The others will keep on doing what they were doing.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
Thanks for the replies. Very helpful, especially in regards to specific systems. I believe I'll look into the systems with two throttles. Nice to know there is an emergency stop if I get too much going at the same time!