functions it
should respond
to. This is a most
elegant way to
run.
For example, we
have double-
headed power
on the through
trains on our
club layout
They
have train num-
bers that are
less than 127. So
we’ve used the
train number as
a consist address
and programmed
it into CV 19 –
see figure 7 for
the rear loco on
train 103, as shown in figure 3. If the loco runs backwards in
the consist, we tell the decoder that in CV 19, too. Then, in CVs
21 and 22, we tell each loco what function commands they
should respond to. For example, we tell the loco at each end of
a doubleheader not to respond to the F0R (reverse light) func-
tion. That way, we don’t have the lights on between units.
Units that are set up this way take only one system location
and they can be moved between systems with impunity, just
like the basic consisting. Once CVs 21 and 22 are set up, locos
DCC Impulses Column - 9
This will work with any collection of decoders ever made, as
long as all the decoders in the consist understand the same
speed step setting.
The downside is that the setup is a bit complex, having to set
the addresses and running directions in each of the locomotives.
Also, it is not easy to add or subtract a locomotive from the con-
sist, so you can’t easily run one of the locos outside the consist.
Advanced Consisting – decoder based
Modern decoders support the use of CV 19 as a way for the
decoder to know that it should run on a consist address and
which direction it should run. Most of these decoders also
support the use of CVs 21 & 22 to tell each locomotive which
7: DecoderPro screen shot – setting up CVs 19, 21 & 22
within the Consist panel – loco # from the PCMRC layout.
7
8
8: UniVersal consisting on a Digitrax
DT400 throttle – 1234 is in the lead with
locos facing away from each other.
MRH-Feb 2014
