DCC control for multiple trains.

[Bennekers]

Before I try DCC, I would like to know how to control multiple trains. For example, I am running train A at spees V1, train B at speed V2. I understand if you only have 1 controller, what happens if you switch from train A to Train B. Does train B now get speed V2 or is its speed setting saved?

[mcouvillion]

Bennekers,

If you have a throttle that will control only one train at a time, you could start train A up and get it going, then either dispatch it or acquire train B on the same throttle and get it going, but you will go nuts trying to keep up with everything, since the trains will maintain speed regardless of how much you plead with them to slow down and wait for you to re-acquire the one getting ready to do something awful! My throttle can control two trains individually, and when I have tried to run two trains at the same time, I don't do a very good job at all, and they both are already acquired by the throttle. I can't imagine trying to do it where you have to "let them go" and then recapture them to change speed and/or direction. I like having the ability to control two trains individually on the same throttle without having to relinquish control of one for the other, but two at a time, I'm not that coordinated.

Mark C.

[pcarrell]

It continues at the same speed with all the systems that I'm aware of. Digitrax even has a handheld that has two throttles on one controller. Bachmann's easycommand lets you run multiple loco's at the same time and when you switch from one to the other you have to nudge the thottle before the throttle will respond. This is so that if you switch between loco's set at different speeds you (theoretically) won't get a jackrabbit effect where your newly selected loco either takes off like a shot or suddenly grinds to a dead crawl.
Whatever the case, when you swith from one loco to another the speed of the first remains constant.

[rrinker]

I had 8 going at one time, just to see how many locos I could run with my Zephyr. No extra throttles - I did have to apply an 0-5-0 hand brake a few times to maintain seperation. That was all the DCC locos I had at the time, and they ran like a champ. I did repeat the feat once I built my Locobuffer and hooked my computer up using JMRI, the throttle tool let me have some semblence of control over all the locos.

As for switching back - if the throttle uses an encoder and not a potentiometer, they generally will pick the running loco back up at its existing speed. You can flip back and forth between a fast passenger express and a slow drag freight all day long. But oher than the new Digitrax UT4, potentiometer throttles can't really do that, so the train has to assume the new speed when reslected. What the UT4 (and Zephyr onsole) do is gradually adjust the speed to whatever the knob is set for, instead of a sudden jolt slowing down or speeding up.

--Randy

[simon1966]

I tried a similar experiment to Randy and it can get a bit hairy running more than one. My track plan does not lend itself to this as there are a couple of single track sections on the layout, so more than one throttle works best for me. I added the DT400 to my Zephyr to give me walk around control of 2 locos.

[knewsom]

I have the Prodigy Advance, and you can control two or more locos with the same handheld. They will keep the speed that you have previously set so that you do not get a speed jump when toggling between two trains running at different speeds. I agree with everyone above though, that it gets somewhat difficult to manage two locos at the same time with one throttle.

[Bennekers]

Thanks for the input, I was afraid it would get a bit tricky trying to control two trains at the same time. In a way I am trying to compare with regular DC and have several sections, trying to control two trains is difficult too because you have to know in what section the train is.
I guess having more then one throttle would be best.

[rrinker]

Well, that would certainly help. DCC isn't magic in that regard - you still only have 2 hands. But when you have some friends come over - that's when it gets good. With DCC, if your system can handle it, you can have a dozen locos chase each other on the same yard track. That's nearly impossible (not going to say impossible - because I know how you could do it, but the miles of wire needed would be off-putting to ANYONE) with DC.

--Randy

[BRVRR]

bennekers,
I have a Digitrax Zephyr on the BRVRR. Early on I had 5 trains running at once with just the Zephyr console for control. Soon there after I installed a MRC Railpower 1300 on each of the "jump ports" on the Zephyr and had three independent throttles. About a year ago, I added a DT400 throttle, so now I have 5 independent throttles. Actually more than I can easily use, even with the grandson and I both running trains.
If you are going to make the jump to DCC, give the Zephyr a hard look. If you have a couple of power packs around you can have three throttles for just the cost of the Zephyr. Even 'train set' power packs will work. If you have to control more than one train, and need up to three throttles without a major cash outlay, the Zephyr is the way to go.
You can see my setup on my website. Link is in my signature. Once there, pu***he layout button and scroll to the bottom of the page.
Whatever you decide, good luck. You will never regret the change to DCC.

[selector]

I run a Bli J-1 Hudson (faster and heavier, generally) and a P2K Heritage 0-6-0 (lighter, more responsive, but slower, generally) at the same time, with my DT 400 and the Digitrax Super Empire Builder. You do have to be on the ball, but experience and keeping a light hand on the speed settings helps a great deal. If I get into a jam, the lower right button is the 'emergency stop' button on the DT 400, so I have only ever had low-speed collisions that I didn't mind happening. The DT 400 is very responsive, and I don't have momentum and inertia settings on the 0-6-0, so I can get at least that loco to come to a dead slow crawl if it looks like there could be a collision. The Hudson, on the other hand, takes over one minute to get up to speed, and about the same time, depending on settings and initial speed, to come to a stop.

Bottom line, it is eminently doable, but like everyting else, it takes a bit of time to get the hang of it. You will not be disappointed if you give it a try.

[Anonymous]

I will usually get 4 running at a time and then operate another one doing switching duties and let the other 4 go on "auto pilot". As long as you can trust your cars not to uncouple, there are usually no problems.

[Anonymous]

I had two going at once last night... Two at once usually don't cause me too much problems. But I was certainly thankful for the old emergency shutoff last night :)

[rrinker]

Reminds me of the first time I had my hands on a DCC system (Digitrax). At a train show, a vendor had a test setup running, a simple oval of track (18" R, plus 1 straight piece on a side), and he had two locos chasing themselves around. One on each knob of a DT100 throttle. He handed me the throttle to try out - and didn't metnion there was some momentum programmed into at least one fo the locos. I stopped them both, then started one going at minimum speed, then started the other one inthe opposite direction, confident that with the one creeping along at tie counting speed I could EASILY stop the other one and reverse it in time. Ah...NOPE. Good thing the couplers were Kadee and not some cheap knockoffs. Yup, I quipped, you can independently control two trains ont he same track - and also cause wrecks.

--Randy

[Anonymous]

I use CVP's EasyDCC which comes with two fixed throttles built into the command station. Select one train on throttle A and another on B. I also have three plug in type walk around throttles and one wireless and would porbably use two of them to control two seperate trains. In fact I have done that, but being human it can be hard to keep track of. Best thing is to bring over a friend (or grandson) and each operate one train and work in concert with one another to get some very interesting switching done!!

[Bennekers]

The Zephyr approach from Allen seems to be a good idea. Presently I am still working on a HO scale layout split up in 'blocks' (I mentioned sections, but meant blocks. I am getting old). To avoid one train catching up to another I use train detectors, which will stop a train in the previous block if it gets too close. I can also manually override.
I am planning on going to N scale due to space restrictions and also I want to run longer trains. That is of course a good opportunity to go to DCC, that is why I am checking things out. What can be done in DCC and what not.

Thanks for all the input so far,

Bob

[freeway3]

I'll weigh in with the NCE system. Other systems may work similarly, I wouldn't know:

The NCE Procab has a "recall" button, similar to the button on your TV remote to rapidly switch between channels. You can set this for a number of locos (don't know what the limit is?), mine is set to 6. So each time I press recall, the next loco I've set becomes active at the cab, and this will keep looping through all 6.

If you selet loco A and get it up to say a speed of 30, then press recall, get loco B up to 25, then recall repeatedly back to A, you will see that speed still at 30.

Hope that all makes sense, seems harder to write than it really is - although, as Randy said, you still only have 2 hands, and I'll add - 1 brain! I wouldn't reccomend trying to run more than 2 or 3 max at a time with 1 cab...

Ed

[rrinker]

The Digitrax DT throttles do the same thing. The size of the 'recall stack' is configurable at least on the DT400. I forget the max off hand, but it's definitely in that "more than you would want to try to remember' category, as is NCE's.

--Randy