Currently getting into DCC. Not knowing anything about it, is it possible to run the consist of two or 3 loco’s whereby the second and third units are powered and facing reverse of the lead loco as we see it today in reality?
Oh Yea! This is just the beginning. You will never want to go back to DC as there is soooo much more flexabillity and more features to utilize. Lighting effects, sound, easier helper service, two operators running in close proximity.
Yes, but be prepared for a learning curve. Unless you are a computer person, you will have to learn some new things, some new ways of talking, and read some instructions that don’t make sence at first. I am finding it quite a challenge but worth the effort once I get it figured out.
Yes, and you can even make the lights work correctly - the ones in the middle unit won’t come on, and when moving forward the headlight of the lead unit will be on, and when you reverse, the headlight of the trailing unit will be on.
–Randy
It’s really easy to consist like that once you get the hang of it.
[#ditto]
It took me about half a dozern times and going back to the manual but now i reckon i can consist 2 locos in about 15 seconds! The hardest bit is matching both locos or more’ performance, ie, speed matching. But even that is ok once you get into it. On the NCE its the menu called motor control, dabble around in the various settings and its possible to get both locos running at the same speed right through the speed range.
All part of the fun!
The answer is yes, BUT
Consisting (MU and Doubleheading)
Setting up the consist and directions only take some people 3 or 6 times to figure it out. I think it took me three. Read into that set of facts what you will. OK, they go the same direction together, however read on.
Speed matching
Speed matching locomotives is not trivial. I have been through it a couple of times but I still have some growling and bumping at certain speed ranges. Impossible, no, but again, this takes some dedicated learning to do it correctly. You will need a sensor driven independent speedometer to do it efficiently.
DCC is everything it is cracked up to be, I’d leave the hobby instead of dealing with DC. But some parts of it take sometime to learn and master.
Joe Daddy
If you’re into consists you’ll want to consider that when deciding which DCC system to get. Some do consists easier than others. The NCE’s are very easy, some others may be more difficult.
And the NMRA has made standard specifications, so one brand of decoder will work with a different brand of DCC system.
Here’s a link to Tony’s DCC Primer: http://tonystrains.com/tonystips/dccprimer/index.htm
There’s lots and lots of info on the web, and here.
But don’t be put off by how much stuff there is – DCC is really pretty simple. You can get started without a big learning curve, especially if you get a DCC system that’s easy to use. But it can get complex, depending on what equipment you’ve got and what you want to do.
Some do very little with “programming”, or setting CVs. They run pretty much everything the way it comes from the factory. Others, especially with the higher-end sound decoders, get very involved with all the minutia for fine-tuning performance and sound. It’s up to you.
I’d also suggest trying to find a club near (or even not-so-near) you – it may or may not have a DCC layout, but you can bet there will be members with DCC layouts. Look at as many as you can, especially the different DCC systems. Other than getting one of the right size (or can be easily expanded to the right size), the main thing you want is one that operates in a way that “feels right” to you. That may not necessarily feel right to somebody else.
You are going to be deep into this stuff by summertime.
A consist of “Like” engines is easy. Verify that both run properly back to back, give each an address and then assign one engine as the lead and MU the second engine to it.
You could take one set of Mu’ed engines and consist that to a SECOND set of engines… heady stuff. But easy does it.
With my ABBA units, I have the Boosters slaved to the lead units with whistle, lights off so that they will be able to drop into or be removed from the consist without having to “De-MU” them.
Now if you are trying to make a little bitty engine run with a really BIG engine, you are getting into speed tables. something that will come your way in time. I myself dont use them in favor of independant helpers or like sets of engines working together.
Thanks to all of you for your replys and advice. I was planning on purchasing the MRC Prodogy Advance since I already have the MRC Symphony 77. Is this a good choice?? It’s hard to know as there is so much out there!!! I don’t have enough time to learn all this. As for a club, there is talk of getting one together which would be great (as I really know little to nothing about running trains) but I live in the middle of several small communities. I really do depend on this sight for information and help. Again, thanks.
Don
I have no experience with the MRC, but according to Tony’s comparison chart, it has no wireless option. I have the larger NCE PowerHouse Pro; NCE also make a starter set, the PowerCab, which is upgradeable and, I understand, operates just like the larger set. If you’re interested in consisting, either of the NCE boxes will be fine. I don’t know how the others do consisting, but I have heard that some are fairly difficult, at least compared to the NCE.
Here’s a link to Tony’s comparison: http://tonystrains.com/productcompare/dcccomparison.htm
There are big sets, small sets, small sets that can’t be easily upgraded, and small ones that can. There are various features to all of them. Other than being able to do what you want, there really are no “bad” sets . . . but some will be better than others for your circumstances.
I’d suggest reading about them, figuring out what features are important to you, how big a set you want to start with, and whether you’ll likely want to expand in the future. “How big” means, roughly, how many trains you (or you and others) may want to run at a time. (Layout size means nothing for this purpose. The smallest set will run 2 or 3 trains on the largest layout in existence!)
If you can’t get some
Tony’s chart will soon be more out of date than it is now.
There will be an MRC radio option by late spring. It will be duplex, meaning it will not require plugging in to acquire a locomotive. And it will supposedly be a plug and play upgrade for all the Prodigy Advances already out there, as well as available as a new unit. They’re also apparently working on a computer connection.
If all this comes about MRC will become a serious player in DCC … and more competition is good for all of US, the modelers.
I have the Prodigy Advance and think that it gets poor press in many comparisons. It is easy to use (even for consists) and plenty powerful at 3 or 3.5 amps (depends on what you read). With computer interface and radio (both comming “soon”), it will match features with anything.
It may not be the right choice for you; everyone has different requirements and desires. All I ask is that you consider the PA when you compare systems.
It really does look like MRC is fixing to be a major player. They have had a couple of false starts, which I think has led to them not being taken very seriously by the DCC congniscenti, but I think that time has past and they are going to be a force to be reckoned with, at least in the DCC systems area. I wish that their decoders were a little better!