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Introduction To Multi-Unit Consisting continued
Locomotives placed into an standard consist will not retain any knowledge about their inclusion
in a standard consist if status if moved to another layout. The standard consist must be created
again on the new layout.
Why We Recommend Using Advanced Consists
For the fastest system and locomotive response to all commands, and when you have many
active throttles, use Advanced Consisting. There some limits on what can be used for Consist
numbers, but you can be assured that your locomotives will have the fastest possible response to
items such as horn or whistle activation.
Locomotives that will be in an advanced consist must be on the main line and powered up to
receive the Advanced Consist reprogramming commands.
Advanced consists also have much more flexibility with regards to how each locomotive
responds to function commands. This becomes very important if you are using sound decoders or
have equipped your locomotives with advanced lighting effects.
There is a section starting on page 80 that has the step by step details for setting up functions for a
locomotive in an Advanced Consist. We also provide a worksheet for you to use.
Make sure you have your decoder manual. Only it will explain the options and values needed to
setup the decoder for what you want.
Why You Might Use Standard Consists
If you have only a few locomotives or don’t have many active throttles, standard consisting may
be perfect for your railroad.
Unlike an Advanced Consist, the locomotive to be put into a standard consist does not have to be
on the track and powered up.
There is no limitation on the standard consist number. The lead locomotive number becomes the
consist number.
The decoder is not modified in any way when in a standard consist. It continues to respond to
either its primary address even if in a consist. But beware of other locomotives that are in the
standard consist. If the throttle is set for the standard consist, all locomotives of that consist will
move in response to speed changes.
You Can Have Both Advanced and Standard Consists At The Same Time
Both types can be built and used at any time. The only limitation is if you try to use the
locomotive in two different consists. The rules for how this conflict is handled is discussed in
each type of consist.
There Is One More Type Of Consisting - Basic
The most obvious and basic type of multi-unit consisting is to simply assign each locomotive in
the consist to the same locomotive address. This type of consist is best if the locomotives are
never intended to be used separately. A good example is a multi-unit consist found on passenger
trains comprised of powered A and B units. Since these locomotives are never separated, each
locomotive decoder can use the same address. We recommend using the lead locomotive's
number as the address.
The downside for this type of consisting is the difficulty in matching the operating characteristics
of widely differing locomotives so that they run well together. Also, if all locomotives have a
sound decoder, they will all respond to function commands in unison.
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