75 | How To Consist Locomotives with Digitrax UT6D and DT602D Throttles

[@dcctrain]

Very nice! 👍

[@HumancityJunction]

AK, Thank you! 👍, I hope I did the topic justice. -Heath

[@dacuzzz]

great tutorial Heath...digitrax has done a great job on re-vamping the universal throttles...thx 4sharing... vinny

[@HumancityJunction]

Vinny, Thanks for watching. -Heath

[@stevechilders2425]

One advantage of Advanced consisting is that the consist goes with the throttle/locomotives to other compatible layouts.

[@HumancityJunction]

Steve, as far as I understand it, Advanced consisting is compatible with most major DCC manufacturers, so in theory it would work on any DCC layout. I think. -Heath

[@RoyEltham]

I have been using the advanced consist stuff. The MRC Prodigy Advance^2 Elite controller/throttle I have makes it super easy to setup and clear them. The other reason to use advanced besides what you said in the video is that you can take a consist of locomotives to another layout with a different DCC system entirely and they will still be a consist (because it's in their CVs).

[@HumancityJunction]

Roy, I completely forgot to mention that about advanced consisting. That is definitely a good reason for it's use. -Heath

[@JohnGeorgeBauerBuis]

@@HumancityJunction, portability to other layouts is the reason that I sometimes use advanced consisting. Otherewise, I normally use universal consisting because I don't have to change any CVs.

[@normantoogood6937]

Great video. I saw on a group chat today that the UT6 could be used, which I never knew. Your video was very clear & concise. I have used the DT602 to do it, and it is more complicated than my old DT400, which I was still using. I volunteer at a museum layout, so will try this next time I'm there. Thanks

[@HumancityJunction]

The UT6 is my favorite Digitrax throttle.

[@DruSteel69]

Great how to’s and a fun blooper, Heath. 😀😎👍🏼

[@HumancityJunction]

Drew, Glad you enjoyed it and thanks for checking out the blooper! -Heath

[@splitrock323]

Great demonstration. Thanks Heath

[@HumancityJunction]

Thomas, thanks so much for the comment. -Heath

[@BCY]

I really do like the break downs on the video timeline. Also good topic and covered very well.

[@HumancityJunction]

Boulder, Awesome, thank you! -Heath

[@ModalFerroviarioHO]

I would like to know about the issue of the driver using 3 or 4 locomotives from different manufacturers at the same time in this control. If the engines are different, how to adjust the speed for the locomotives to run together?

[@HumancityJunction]

The term you want to look for is “speed matching”. I use JMRI and a speedometer. But there are a few different ways to do it. The basics are that you need to adjust the CVs on the decoder.

[@isaiahfurrow7414]

how useful do you think the larger screen and extra soft keys are? My home stuff is NCE, but I am debating getting some Digitrax stuff, or at least a duplex throttle, as that is what most are using in my area.

[@HumancityJunction]

If you are NCE, and it works for you, I would get a TCS UWT-50P. This is currently the main throttle that I take to all operations sessions as it will work with both Digitrax and NCE.

[@gkoproske]

I use Universal Consisting because ever since we bought into Digitrax decades ago, that is what they provided, and we easily learned how to do it and stuck with it. As for the comments here that you want to take your consist to another layout, well, that doesn't happen, at least not to me. I operate on several layouts, and on each one, you run the host's trains. It disrupts their operating night if you want to run your stuff. The only time we take our stuff away from home is to do train shows on NTRAK and T-TRAK. Since the club is Digitrax, as most are, it is straightforward to get trains running for when the crowds arrive.

[@HumancityJunction]

Glen, very good point about going to an operating session and you run the hosts trains. Also, it is really quick to setup a consist and I would assume it is actually part of the operating session unless you are just pulling a train from staging.

[@ModelTrainOutsider]

I liked that video. Very cool and clear. I do not consist my locos, but my CS3 has a quick consist option which is rather cool. Someday I may have to try it.

[@HumancityJunction]

Opa, Do they ever run the highspeed trains with more than one power unit? I guess it would only really be used for your freight trains. -Heath

[@ModelTrainOutsider]

@@HumancityJunction My ICE3 is actually powered by a car in the middle (the restaurant car), so that it faces the same amount of strain either direction. Now, one could buy a second ICE set and do a "double 8," as it is called, and the CS3 would auto-align the two powering restaurant cars. I believe my ICE2s are powered by one of the control cars. It takes a bit of work to couple them. Down in Bavaria, they double up very powerful diesels in some areas to run the HSTs (EuroCity) which run between Germany and Switzerland, because they can't use electric in some of the places. I have photos of such a double.

[@henriknilsson7851]

Great, I always forget this too. Thanks for the easy explanation!

[@HumancityJunction]

Happy to help!

[@ethandavis4495]

Is there a way to run the locomotives back to back within the UT6 consisting? Or does it only support nose to tail consist?

[@HumancityJunction]

When creating the consist, you can change the direction of any/all the locomotives in the consist.

[@ToccoaFallssRR]

Help please.. I was trying to consist two locos. Now I have it stuck in my dt602d. I can’t run any other locos..

[@HumancityJunction]

Are you just trying to release the locos or break up the consist? To release the loco, press the loco button and then the x

[@andrewlaverghetta715]

Am I correct that universal consisting doesn't really help if you're trying to run a certain train on multiple layouts? Like if I've got a club layout and my personal one, I can't consist them using my digitrax at home and have it work on the club digitrax? I'm really going to be looking for more info on consisting locos that are different models that have chips from different manufacturers. Any suggestions for that?

[@HumancityJunction]

For setting up a consist that you want to utilize on multiple layouts, or if you want the consists to be “permanent” then use CV19 consisting.

[@stevenMcCaskill]

I've inherited my late father's trainset that he built for over 35 years and he has this control system installed however I am unclear on how he has actually assigned the various engines (all have 4 digit decals on them) . I cannot for the life of me figure out how my dad assigned these numbers and where I can find them or if there is the option of resetting the entire system and starting from scratch (something I would prefer not doing because it was functional while my dad was still alive). Any suggestions or guidance you might have would be so appreciated. Thanks in advance!

[@HumancityJunction]

What are you using for a controller? The easiest thing to do is to try and reset the DCC decoder. Set cv8 to 8. This will reset the locomotive address to 3, which should then allow you to control it.

[@garysdiecastcollection]

Thanks for your sub I enjoy watching trains. A few years back I a Nscale set.

[@HumancityJunction]

Gary, Thanks for checking out my channel. The majority of my modeling will be N scale, it just happens that right now on my Friday streams I am laying track for a Z scale layout and on my Monday Stream, I am building HO scale kits for the Walthers NMRBO Contest. But I will be getting back to my N scale layout soon.

[@mawsoncasey7347]

Simplicity is great so universal consisting is what I use as I just like to get everything rolling !

[@HumancityJunction]

Absolutely!

[@OffroadTrucker740]

Do you have a video where you're not doing it so fast? I can't get my music consist to work as good as I can as engine driver on the cell phone

[@HumancityJunction]

As a part of the YT player, there is an option to change the playback speed and you can set it to half speed or even quarter speed. I do not have a different video, but maybe slowing this one down would be a solution for you.

[@NorthernOhioRailroadAction]

Excellent Video keep up the great work enjoyed watching your video

[@HumancityJunction]

Jake, Thanks for the visit -Heath

[@NorthernOhioRailroadAction]

@@HumancityJunction Your Welcome :)

[@mattsynth]

I have been purchasing 2 of every locomotive in my roster. That way I never have to consist or speed match, they just always run together without any problems. Not for everyone but works for me.

[@HumancityJunction]

I have a couple of doubles that I do that with. I also have one set of doubles that no matter what I do I cannot seem to get the to run at the same speed :)

[@mattsynth]

@First name Last name You don't get it, I prefer not to go thru all of that, it is easer for me to purchase doubles and be done with it. If you wish to pretend your running a prototypical railroad with your 6 year old kid then that is your prerogative but I could care less about that concept.

[@bernardc2553]

Humm I'm guessing dbbl.heading would be the same set-up, I'm not there yet but love to learn lol great show bro!

[@HumancityJunction]

Bernard, it would be the same setup for double heading as it is for a 3 or 4 loco motive consist. -Heath

[@sturnie1]

I recently purchased the digitrax 602D and still haven't scratched the surface of the capabilities yet

[@HumancityJunction]

I really like the new series of throttles.

[@lackawannarailfan]

Great how-to! In my opinion...you should change that Erie Railroad sign behind you into a Lackawanna Railroad sign. Just saying, it might look better. LOL! Awesome job! Take care!

[@HumancityJunction]

Tyler, but it has a steam locomotive on it so I thought you would accept it! -Heath

[@lackawannarailfan]

@@HumancityJunction LOL! Yep! You’re right! Have a great day!

[@southernrailfanning5516]

My opinion, I absolutely hate the new throttle. MU functions are not always working. Seems like it gets stuck in a loop and nothing responds properly

[@HumancityJunction]

I must admit, my go to throttle these days is the UWT-50 set to yard mode.

[@martensiersma3304]

I use cv's 19, 21 and 22, it's simpler. And you control the functions precisely.

[@HumancityJunction]

Marten, Are you an NCE or Digitrax user? -Heath

[@martensiersma3304]

@@HumancityJunction NCE I Tried NCE advanced consist but it disables all functions in loco 2. I like the prime mover sounds on in all locos. With cv's 19, 21 and 22 I can control which function are on or off in each loco

[@HumancityJunction]

@@martensiersma3304 I heard the NCE consisting only uses cv19 and does not use 21 and 22. So I can definitely understand why you program the CVs directly.

[@Pacer2631]

I learned a lot from the verbal discussion but your fingers are way to fast. It would have been more helpful if you slowed the presentation so your speedy fingers would match what you were saying. Keep up the good work at a slower pace! Us Old Guys!!

[@HumancityJunction]

Your channel name is ironic, Pacer, in relation to your comments, LOL I am always trying to find the balance between being efficient and being thorough, and it is not always easy. My thought, which might be wrong, is that since it is a video on YT, you could either watch the section you need more than once, or you can use the YT controls to watch it at a slower speed. I appreciate your feedback as I do want to make sure my tutorials are accessible to everyone. -Heath

[@ProScaleModels]

@@HumancityJunction I literally had to slow it down 50% lol - but thanks for the vid.

[@KandRCustomModels]

Wish i could stay home and play with trains lol

[@whitewallwheels1hardcore.m_o_h]

retire early then play trains

[@HumancityJunction]

My solution was to be unemployed, but I do not recommend it. -Heath

[@KandRCustomModels]

@@HumancityJunction i agree im blessed to have my job!

[@ronplichta1598]

Or just buy NCE. Far easier to consist.

[@HumancityJunction]

I always find it interesting when someone says this as the steps are almost identical if you are using the same consisting method. Digitrax has the option to do the same consisting as NCE and they have another method that is more advanced.

[@ronplichta1598]

I just bought the 602D because my club uses Digitrax (I have NCE at home). I've read the manual and watched who knows how many videos and I still find Digitrax's system far more cumbersome. NCE,on the other hand, asks you the loco number and direction and you're done

[@HumancityJunction]

@@ronplichta1598 Isn't that the same on the DT602? You hit the MU+, type in the loco number, make sure the direction is set, and you are done.

[@ronplichta1598]

I reread the manual today as well as watched the video before today's show and I managed to get consisting to work. The DT602D is good for shows due the large layout size and I eventually planto use both sides of the throttle simultaneously; however, I stand by my statement that I think NCE us more user friendly. The 602 is an improvement over its predecessors in terms of ergonomics, information presentation and use, but the use still takes a bit of practice to understand.

[@HumancityJunction]

@@ronplichta1598 what you are used to definitely has a huge effect on what you think is easier.

[@crusty3260]

You know what is funny and ridiculous? It is actually easier in real life to MU locomotives or even set up distributed power for that matter than it is to use the Digitrax throttles....

[@HumancityJunction]

LOL, not that is funny!