I just cleaned, lubed and installed decoders in two old Athearn F2’s. They are coupled with a drawbar permantly. My question is when I program them so each run in the one forward and one backward mode they operate forward in the forward setting on the control. But when running back the opposite direction they are run in the reverse setting. Not a real problem but sometimes hard to make my feeble mind remember this fact. Any other way to program these decoders?
Thanks Guys! Some goofy stuff out there but sooo much good!
Do you have the locos programmed with the same road number or do they have different road numbers? On my DCC system, the lead loco road number shows up as the consist number on my display, so I know which road number is the lead loco. If all else fails, create a chart showing the locos tied together with their road numbers and indicate on your chart which loco is the lead as a reminder.
There are enough different ways that I don’t pretend to know them all. Some people create two consists, one for going one direction, and the other for going the other. Then they only need to select the consist based on the lead loco, and everything else falls into place. Some of the details depend on what DCC system you are using.
With Lenz you also set the direction of each engine as you put it into the consist. You can run the consist from the consist address, or from any of the loco addresses. However, it will always go the same direction regardless of which address you choose.
I’ve had problems with TCS-T1 decoders. They won’t go into my consists in the reverse direction. I don’t know if this is a problem with TCS, or if they just don’t work right the way Lenz builds consists.
I didn’t know Athearn used to make F2’s a long time ago either, but I am “only” 48 and they may be before my time. Could be a typo and he means the blue box F7’s?
Really easy with Digitrax! The lead or “top” loco goes on the right throttle of the DT400, set for forward direction. Any locos you want to add “MU” go on the left throttle and you set the relative direction as you add each one in turn. It works neat! jc5729 John Colley, Port Townsend, WA