I finally learned how to create an MU consist last week. Then I was surprised to learn that I had to break it down again before releasing the Diesel units that I had put in the consist. Is this true of all DCC systems or can an MU consist be saved from one operating session to the next with some systems?
ChuckAllen, TX
I have a Lenz system. As I recall, when the last engine is taken out of the consist, then the consist number ceases to be valid. I can keep one engine in a consist and run the engine either by its own number or by the consist number, but there is no way to "recall" an earlier consist.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
Pretty much the way they all work. Some store the consist information in the command station, some actually change CV19 on the loco - either way, this has to be changed back to return the loco to normal operation, so you need to break down consists when finished using them. And most systems I've heard about have some sort of non-volatile memory in the command station so the information is remembered even after being shut off.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
Maybe I didn't explain myself very well.
I was, as usual, operating as Yardmaster, Hostler, Yard Conductor, Yard Engineer, Car Distributor, ..... A train had arrived with two units in one consist. The inbound engineer broke up the consist and released the units. I spotted one out of my way and proceeded to use the other to switch the inbound train.
When I finished switching, I practiced my new-found skill of MUing the two units. (Don't do this much because this railroad is mostly steam.) I then moved them the length of the yard to the ready track for outbound engines and learned that, with Digitrax, I could not leave them MUed for the next outbound train (without leaving them attached to a scarce throttle). Would this be possible with other systems?
Yes, you can dispatch the consist and allow a different throttle to pick it up with Digitrax. This is done all the time for the reason you also cite - limited number of DT40x high end throttles, both to keep the unititiated from messing with things they shouldn't and also because you don;t need a fancy throttle just to run a train, the UT-4's are much cheaper and limit access to just running trains.
Dispatch the consist from the DT40x, and then a user with a UT4 can select the TOP loco in the cosist which gives them control over the whole consist.
http://www.digitrax.com/tsd/KB569/dt402-dt402-series-throttle-dispatching-addresses-/
http://www.digitrax.com/tsd/KB709/ut4-consisting-muing-or-multiple-unit-operations/
You dispatch the TOP address in the consists. Then a user with another throttle can acquire said TOP address and now control the consist.
Thanks a lot, Randy.
Another reason I wanted to Dispatch these units MUed was because I had just turned one so they were back-to-back. Being able to leave them that way will mean they don't have to be turned at the yard I was operating (it's at the end of a branch). The turntable there would be able to handle two GPs but not three and probably not two SDs.