If a train with more than one locomotive is being opperated with DCC, must all the locomotives be equipped for DCC or only one?
www.CurtRenz.com
You can't simultaneously run a DC engine with a DCC engine. Some people have layouts where they can flip a switch and run all DC or all DCC. You never want to risk a loco running from a DCC powered track on to a DC powered track or visa versa.
The term Consisting is used for a multiple power train. DCC enables you to speed match, turn off trailing unit headlights. People do consist in DC.
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
They all need to be DCC, and programed to run together, unless, 2 of the locos are unpowered (I hate the term dummy).
Although, I have 2 locos, both have the same address, and seperately, they run at the same speed, so I will on occassion lash them together, although I can't turn the lights off on the second loco.
Mike.
My You Tube
Thank you, Henry. So in short are you saying that if a single train with multiple locomotives is to be operated DCC, then all of the locomotives on that particular multi-locomotive train must be equipped for DCC?
Thank you, Mike. That is the clarification I needed.
Mike said what I was going to say, all or none.
If you have a DCC system that is capable of running an analog engine on address 00, you can consist address 00 to another decoder equipped engine (s). Multiple analog engines will run on 00 but they will all be running at the same time. With Digitrax you would need to use Universal Consisting. Not sure what MRC and Lenz call it. NCE will not run an analog engine.
That DC engine may not run the same speeds as the engine with a decoder. I have done this when I first started with my Digitrax system many years ago. As soon as I could get enough decoders installed in my engines, that practice stopped because performance was not great.
Martin Myers
Than you, Martin.
I should let everyone know the reason for my question. I am considering a purchase of the Kato N Scale Milwaukee Road Olympian Hiawatha. The locomotives A, B & C can be ordered with or without DCC.
I was wondering if A were DCC, would B & C also have to be. I thank the responders who seem to agree that the answer is yes. Therefore there appears to be no more need for further replies.
Order all of them with DCC. You will be much happier.
If you are thinking of "eventually" installing DCC then you are better off buying the engines with DCC installed.
Sound is different. You may have any number of sound and non- sound engines lashed together.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.