DecoderPro® Main Window
Menu Bar - Consisting Control Window
Three types of consists are used on DCC systems:
- A basic or primary address consist,
where each locomotive is assigned the same address on the programming track, or on the main
with OpsMode Programming (if
supported by the command station and decoder).
- A Command Station Assisted Consist (CSAC) which builds the
consist using a function of your command station. Command Station Assisted Consists go by
the trade names listed below.
Manufacturer Trade Name Usage Notes Digitrax Universal Consist Limited to the number of slots supported by the system. Allows any address Lenz Double Header Limited to 2 locomotives. Allows any address but 00 to be used NCE Old Style Consist Limited to 8 locomotives. Allows any address but 00 to be used EasyDCC Standard Consist Limited to 8 locomotives. Allows any address but 00 to be used
- A Decoder Assisted Consist (DAC), often referred to as Advanced Consist. The NMRA® has set aside CV19 as a dedicated location for consist addresses. If CV19 contains a value other than 0, the locomotive will respond to speed and direction instructions sent to the address in CV19. If CV19 contains zero then it will respond to speed and direction commands sent to the usual short or long decoder address. Since the consist address is a single CV, it is limited to the range of 1 to 127. If you add 128 to the consist address, the locomotive will run backwards (relative to it's normal direction of travel) in the consist. The DAC can be set up in the Consisting tab in the Comprehensive Programmer.
DecoderPro Consisting Tool
The consist tool provides a visual tool for manipulating the Decoder Assisted Consists and , on some command stations, Command Station Assisted Consists.
The Advanced Consist and the Command Station Consist allow you to select either consisting mode if supported by your command station. If not supported the options will be grayed out.
Consist text box: type the consist ID assigned to the locomotives in the consist for Decoder Assisted Consists. For Command Station Consist, this is automatically filled in with the address of the lead locomotive in the consist.
New Locomotive text box : type in a new locomotive address or select from you roster using the drop-down list.
The Direction Normal ? determines the direction of the locomotive travel as forward or reverse when the consist is traveling forward. Will be grayed out until the lead locomotive is selected.
The button adds the locomotive to the consist.
The buttton removes all data for the locomotive.
button removes the consist. The list of the consist will have a button for each locomotive, allowing you to remove any locomotive from the consist.
button deletes the entire consist.
button opens a throttle for the consist. Each time you select the Throttle, the locomotive will be added to the consist.
button reverses the direction of the consist.