Yet another DCC newb question. How do you go about multi engine lashups using DCC. I don’t yet own a DCC system, but the issue got me to wondering. In the good ol’ days of DC, I would have used 1 powered unit with a dummy engine or 2. Has that been solved with DCC? Is that part of the consist function of DCC? Is there a master / slave configuration or something, how does it work?
Thanks!
Glenn
From what I have read you can lash up multiple powered units at once. Like you I dont have a DCC system either. I like your picture.
You can find info on DCC at www.digitrax.com
[#welcome][#welcome][#welcome][#welcome] to the forum phatpony.
ICMR
Happy Railroading.[swg][swg]
DCC lashups are easy. Locos can be run in any order or direction. Lighting of the lead unit can be controled independently of the consist. Locos can be “tuned” to run with each other (this can be tough if the gearing is a serious mismatch between locos). Dummy’s are, of course, still useable.
Thanks fellas. I read all I could digest at the Digitrax site, that’s alot of info. I guess I will need to take the time to make sure to do all the adjustments on their throttle curves when the time comes.
icmr- I like yours too. Gotta love black in white in a color world.
The short answer is yes I do.
Since each locomotive is under its on control, the DCC unit simply “connects” the control for those two units together to one throttle.
I’ve never taken this to be a problem that needed to be solved. I’ve run multiple lash ups of DC locomotive for over 30 years. My opinion of why dummies exist is that it was so much cheaper to run a dummy instead of multiple power units. A dummy locomotive was often less than half the cost of a powered unit. Why pay for an unneeded motor? For a while I went to all powered units (and that was back when decoders were over $40 each) but decided it was stupid. I would have enough power to pull 100 cars on a train of less than 20. I went through my operational fleet and de-powered or made “sound only” many of my units. Dummies still have a place. When you want the look of that much power but don’t need it.
The DCC control unit simply sends the control signals from the throttle to every address in the consist / or lash up / or double head or whatever else they want to call them.
The trick in all of this is to speed curve all the locomotives in the consist to be moving the same speed with the same throttle position.
Texas is right, prototype wise most of our toy trains are way over powered compared to the prototype, and dummies are cheap so keep them around.
If you use loco’s from the same manufacturer and same brand decoder in each unit it will make MUing loco’s a lot easier.
I don’t have DCC either. But there is nothing like a couple of dummies to make your train look more realistic!! I have tried to and am still in the process of having Multiunits for all my Locomotives. It just looks better!!