Hello from Alaska

[Anonymous]

Hello everyone! Well I just wanted to ask a few questions as i am new to this, i usually go to the MRR Forum but its been on lock down. Well where to start....
1. I am doing a layout in N Scale of the Birmingham, Alabama area railroads, which consists of CSX, NS, some Seaboard System/Airline, and the rare Birmingham Rail, anyone know of where to find these rare types such as the BRR for my layout?
2. I am slowly learning about DCC and am going to be using that, how does it work as far as using multiple locos in the same train.. or do you have to use dummys? That part comfuses me.
Im sure ill think of more things as they come to me, but until then maybe you guys can help me out? Thanks alot!

[Billba]

Good evening Tex,
First, thanks for your service!!! I am a veteran and have a pile of family and friends that have been in the service as well.
I don't have any direct answers about your first question, but there are a couple of good websites that have good lists of links that you can get a lot of information from. The first is NMRA's directory of world wide websites - link from www.nmra.com. Another is www.trainweb.org.
On your DCC question, you can use a function called "consisting" to run several engines in a lash-up. I haven't set my DCC system up yet, but have been spending a lot of time reading, and have ran my DCC engines on friends layouts. Maybe someone on the forums with some more experience can provide some details.
Good luck, and again, Thanks!!

[blhanel]

As you program an engine to include it on the layout, you have to choose an address for that engine. If you want a group of engines to work as a consist, just program them all with the same address. Voila! As long as the current being drawn by the consist doesn't exceed the limitations of your supply, and they're all pointed the right direction with respect to each other, they should work together when you advance the "throttle" for that address.

[Anonymous]

Hmm ok, so now.. programming it? Im used to the old put an engine on the track and it goes.. haha.. i might need a lil more understanding i guess?

[blhanel]

The DCC system I have required me to wire in a short section of track, unconnected with the rest of the layout, for use as the test/programming track. My controller has instructions on how to program an engine for not only its unique address, but also for characteristics such as how fast it accelerates when you advance the "throttle", or how fast it stops when you shut the "throttle" off. I can even set the engine to respond in the opposite direction of the others programmed with the same address, so that I can run it "long hood forward" in the consist. The system I use is from MRC. All DCC-ready engines come programmed with the same address from the factory, so unless you re-program them, you won't have control separation, and the DCC system becomes a waste of money.

[Anonymous]

Another website you may be interested in Tex, is alabamarailfan.com.