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Multiple Throttles Needed?

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  • Member since
    August 2003
  • From: Collinwood, Ohio, USA
  • 16,367 posts
Posted by gmpullman on Saturday, December 26, 2015 8:58 PM

If you are going to dabble in DCC to any extent you will certainly want to look into JMRI Decoder Pro:

http://jmri.sourceforge.net/

The program is free to download and all you need is a computer interface. I use the RR Cirkits Locobuffer but there are others.

Decoder Pro will give you another throttle. Once your PC is interfaced with the layout you can look into smartphone throttles, which I have little experience with.

http://jmri.sourceforge.net/help/en/package/jmri/jmrit/withrottle/UserInterface.shtml

As Tom points out, you can call up as many addresses on the DT-402 as you want but as Dirty Harry says...

you've gotta ask yourself one question: "Do I feel lucky?"

 So, while juggling around and selecting different addresses, and you need to stop a train in a hurry, how fast can you re-acquire the necessary address?

The UT throttles are nice for visitors and youngsters to use because of the slightly simpler layout.

Sometimes I'll have one or two trains running, then use the same DT-402 to perform some consisting or CV changes, then go back to one of the original addresses. Sometimes I'll do just what you describe, get a train running on one main, once it is rolling dependably, I'll switch to some hostling or switching chores, then go back to the first train and regain control to make some speed changes, etc.

One thing to get into the habit of is to release the address or you can get unwanted commands sent to an engine and you may get the Digitrax "Slot: Max" notice. You'll get used to this stuff once you start using your system.

Good Luck, Ed

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  • From: Northeast OH
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Posted by tstage on Saturday, December 26, 2015 7:15 PM

Actually, you don't need another throttle.  IIRC, the DT402 has two knobs for making it convenient to operate two trains simultaneously and independently.  You should be able to call up additional locomotives with the same throttle but you'll lose the control of one or both of the first two units.  In order to control the "lost" locomotive(s), you have to re-enter the address(es) for that unit(s) in your DT402.

Or, as you suggested, buy a UT throttle and operate an additional unit that way.  It's not necessary though in order to operate the 3rd unit.

I have a NCE Power Cab and I can toggle (and control) between 2 and 6 locomotive addresses by pressing the RECALL button.  I choose to program it to 2-3 addresses so that I don't have to press RECALL so many times to get to the address I want.  Generally, it's just as easy and faster to enter the locomotive address manually when I want to call it up.

Tom

https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling

Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.

  • Member since
    February 2002
  • From: Westchester NY
  • 1,747 posts
Posted by retsignalmtr on Saturday, December 26, 2015 6:41 PM

If you want to run more than two trains, you will need another throttle. Digitrax has the UT series of throttles. Cheaper than the 402 DT. You can run one train with it, but it does not do everything the larger throttle does. You can't turn on the track power or MU several loco's with it. You can transfer an MU'ed set of loco's to it and control the sound functions and headlights.

  • Member since
    January 2014
  • From: Chicago area
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Posted by Arto on Saturday, December 26, 2015 2:10 PM

BroadwayLion

LION runs 10 trains at once with a single DC power supply. (0-16vdc @ 10A)

Zero throttles, no reversing switches, fully automated operation. No computers were used to create this. The Major premise is that the track controlls the operation of the trains. Gaps and resistors slow the trains, A gap stops the train. A timer starts the train. Operational Block Signals keep the trains separated.

LIONS are clever.

ROAR

 

Yes, that will come next when I add two independent point to point tracks, randomly shuttling 5 trains on one for servicing a recreational area/station/resturant/hotel and 3 short line frieght/switchers on the other. Those can all run back & forth by themselves.

First things first Time Geeked

  • Member since
    January 2014
  • From: Chicago area
  • 335 posts
Posted by Arto on Saturday, December 26, 2015 2:05 PM

tstage

Arto,

You can operate as many as you want with one throttle.  Having said that, I find operating two locomotives simultaneously (and keeping them from crashing) is about all my brain can handle at a given time.

Tom

 

Great, thnx.

My situation is I have a "large" two track mainline scenic layout. The idea is to let two mainline trains run, one on each track, and shuttle a switcher in between one of them to service some sidings, or run a shorter passenger train on the other track which has a siding for passing. Hopefully this wan't be as bad as the large lionel setup my dad built when I was a kid. That one was prone to mistakes and crashes. This shouldn't be too difficult (I hope).

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: North Dakota
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Posted by BroadwayLion on Saturday, December 26, 2015 1:57 PM

LION runs 10 trains at once with a single DC power supply. (0-16vdc @ 10A)

Zero throttles, no reversing switches, fully automated operation. No computers were used to create this. The Major premise is that the track controlls the operation of the trains. Gaps and resistors slow the trains, A gap stops the train. A timer starts the train. Operational Block Signals keep the trains separated.

LIONS are clever.

ROAR

The Route of the Broadway Lion The Largest Subway Layout in North Dakota.

Here there be cats.                                LIONS with CAMERAS

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Posted by tstage on Saturday, December 26, 2015 1:48 PM

Arto,

You can operate as many as you want with one throttle.  Having said that, I find operating two locomotives simultaneously (and keeping them from crashing) is about all my brain can handle at a given time.

Tom

https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling

Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.

  • Member since
    January 2014
  • From: Chicago area
  • 335 posts
Multiple Throttles Needed?
Posted by Arto on Saturday, December 26, 2015 1:41 PM

I'm getting a Digitrax Super Chief Xtra starter set today with the DT402D duplex radio throttle.

If I want to run more than two trains do I have to get additional throttles, or can I run 3, 4 or more trains from this one throttle?

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