DCC Consist - Double Heading

[@greghale9972]

Great video Garry. Do both locomotives have to identical to each other ?. Cheers Greg PS: I still buying those lotto tickets

[@cheekytek]

Greg 😂😂 1st class seats too 👍 Great comment Greg Any different decoders that have the consist option will work together- I used budget ones to demonstrate how effective they work together. But well pointed out 😉 Thanks buddy 🍺

[@greghale9972]

Thanks for your advice.

[@greghale9972]

Seems to work well.

[@ramonaherrera8459]

Lovely Video clip! Sorry for butting in, I would appreciate your thoughts. Have you heard about - Januke Henatalie Formula (erm, check it on google should be there)? It is a good one off guide for mastering DCC model railroads minus the headache. Ive heard some unbelievable things about it and my old buddy Taylor finally got astronomical results with it.

[@cheekytek]

Many thanks 👍 i will check that out - may save me buying so many headache tablets 😆 Cheers Garry

[@rumblefish2536]

Great video buddy. Just shows that things don’t need to be complicated if you know what you’re doing. Many thanks.

[@cheekytek]

lol.. as long as we work out what were doing of course 😂 but yeah definitely true.. Thanks again. Garry

[@sandwelljunction6337]

I'm a complete newbie, especially when it comes to DCC... thanks for the informative video :)

[@jamesw5138]

Great video Garry! Took me forever to work this function, only figured it out during Model Rail Scotland this year.

[@cheekytek]

James Thanks buddy, much the same been looking and reading the dcc book every which way to work it all out 😂 think I have now 😉👍

[@strathpefferspamodelrailwa8751]

Fantastic step by step guide mucker. I had to get the instructions out to do it and they just blew my mind. I shall definetly be trying this again. Cheers Gary. All the best Ali.

[@cheekytek]

Cheers Alasdair - same opened book - put tea on book - became tea mat 😁 Then I discovered the easy way probably had this written somewhere lol 😆 Many Thanks Garry 👍

[@msparry1]

Hi Garry. Very clear. Thanks a lot.

[@cheekytek]

Thanks very appreciated

[@samwoodward8491]

great info. followed your instructions worked 1st time. looking forward to some fun double heading thanks for such a simple easy to follow vidio yours sam woodward

[@cheekytek]

Many thanks Sam Think many people over complicate things and it does deter many even I was at arms length before diving in 😆 Cheers buddy 👍

[@WestBlythMPD]

Excellent video Garry, that has given me some tips for a project for the future. I hope that you and your family are well Michael

[@cheekytek]

Thanks Michael yeah all are well and good just the odd sniff and cough 🤧 hope all is great your end Glad this helps certainly answered how easy it really is lol 😂 it was just a case of getting my head around it 😁 Thanks buddy take care and keep well 😉👍 Garry

[@adamkerr4600]

Watching one of my favourite KZbin channels and a wee dram cheers Gary 🥃🥃🥃🚂🚂🚂

[@cheekytek]

Adam Stop watching them other channels 😂😂😂 Where’s your loyalty man 🤣🤣 Thanks buddy my number one supporter 😉👍 Cheers mate

[@HighOakJunction]

Excellent Gary very informative and made clear for ones like me. I will try it tomorrow with my prodigy advance 2. Thanks again 👍

[@cheekytek]

Thanks for the comment very appreciated It’s is pretty easy on prodigy 2 providing the chip has consist, all will be well.. cheers Garry

[@jerryallen34]

Timely video Garry as I want a permanent class 37 consist on the layout. Got to find out how to do it with the Z21. Thanks another great how to. Cheers Jerry

[@pierre-de-standing]

For a permanent consist it's worthwhile seeing if setting the two decoders to the same ID would work.

[@cheekytek]

Thanks Jerry, I would guess this would be similar set up for Z21. Not all loco’s run at the same speed so speed match a pair may be required 😉👍

[@24th1879]

Very informative, great little video, thank you.

[@cheekytek]

No problem/ thanks for watching 👍 Garry

[@nigelcarter9503]

Nice and easy to understand, Garry.

[@cheekytek]

Nigel Many Thanks buddy Very appreciated 😉👍

[@whitleyhead]

Cheers Garry, there’s me thinking my prodigy was broken because it wouldn’t double head !! Jon

[@cheekytek]

Lol 😂 Jon that’s funny 👍

[@whitleyhead]

@@cheekytek glad it made your day :)

[@stmichaelshill7421]

Really useful video Garry! You've made it really clear! Cheers - Rich

[@cheekytek]

Thanks Richard I just found some videos missed parts out that needed answers lol Cheers 👍😉

[@onnomulder9775]

Great video!! I saved it for later use!! Thanks Garry! Cheers Onno.

[@cheekytek]

Onno hopefully it will help 😉😉

[@WirenwoodModelRailway]

Hi Cheeky - I have a lot of Hattons DCC chips and have plenty of them running in consists! Some DCC controllers will also support a 'software consist' where locos can be teamed up without needing to be programmed. In those circumstances it doesn't matter whether the decoder supports consists or it doesn't. In fact, that may be what the Prodigy is doing there, rather than programming CV19. (edit - actually, no - looks like those decoders are being programmed)

[@cheekytek]

Thanks for your reply Yeah - think you have answered my reply back totally agree and I must admit newer decoders are certainly program smart 😉👍 Great comment buddy Many Thanks Garry

[@howarth004]

Useful demo , I used dynamis and works very similar

[@cheekytek]

Thanks David I did wonder how that would work on dynamis but you’ve answered my question Cheers buddy

[@markcrocker934]

Nice explanation mate. Here in Canada it is rare to see a single locomotive so most of my locos run in a consist. we also have distributed power due to the length of trains so it is common to see mid train locos and end of train locos pushing. The Prodigy makes it all very simple. I have to make a specific list of all the consist numbers for obvious reasons. Mark

[@cheekytek]

Interesting comment Mark, I never thought of that, must be a real pain with outages. As to double heading-do you have preferred decoders for consists, as I guess that’s the main thing you look for in dcc decoders 😉👍 Cheers again buddy

[@markcrocker934]

@@cheekytek Garry they don't really sell decoders here anymore that cannot handle advanced consisting so no issues. I tend to stick with ESU or Digitrax in a pinch. The real railroad uses distributed power not for outages but basically length of train and grades. 10 to 14 thousand foot freight trains are the norm and that takes a lot of HP. Mark

[@cheekytek]

Blimey knew they were long 😮 wow Cheers for decoder tip 👍

[@matthewevans7382]

Top advice as always. Great vid!

[@cheekytek]

Many Thanks Matthew 😉👍

[@PaulGarwood]

Hello love your videos, but please do you know if any of the Hornby decoders are equipped to program a consist? I'm thinking also there sound decoders?

[@cheekytek]

Many thanks..Paul Hornby standard decoders do look Identical to the TTS sound decoders, only because they use footprint PCB boards from the same manufacture, but are very different to sound decodes.. Apart from the sapphire chip all other decoders are non CV 19 which allows for advanced consisting?. I believe that's also the same on all TTS and Hornby sound decoders. Hope this helps... cheers

[@bennickss]

Thanks for the tutorial. How do I split up the double header so that the locos become independently controlled again?

[@cheekytek]

Your welcome, I believe you turn off the consist on hand set and refer back to the loco number originally assigned for the decoder. Remember in consist mode you create a number for both this is then canceled once returned to loco and enter. there is an option to delete the const made again all these points are in the Gaugemaster Prodigy manual of which can be downloaded through the Gaugemaster website. Hope this helps.. Cheers Garry

[@StrathpefferJunction]

Hey up matey. I was wondering if you've ever had any issue with the Prodigy controllers and Hornby decoders? I was told by a shop that they sometimes had issues with Hornby TTS decoders in particular? Noticed any problems at all?

[@cheekytek]

Hi buddy I’ve only one TTS loco and don’t have any problems with it running I did have to tweak the cv settings but that seems to be the norm on with TTS on many systems as I believe I’m not a lover of the hornby chip as sometimes I find there’s a struggles to show loco number even though it Writes to it but that’s just my opinion other than that prodigy is great and no probs on my TTS once set 👍 Hope this helps Cheers Garry

[@Anthony.1967]

That's good to know great video Garry

[@cheekytek]

Many thanks Anthony 👍

[@samwoodward8491]

great video. i have the gaugemaster prodigy is there a way to change the direction of a loco i have one loco that runs forward when the throttle says backwards. keep up yhe good work regards sam woodward

[@cheekytek]

Hi Buddy The little button with. < > above the RED stop button.. 👍

[@davestrains]

thanks a lot for that Garry! i'll have a play! cheers dave

[@cheekytek]

Hopefully this helped 😉👍 Cheers Dave

[@robd2184]

Interesting video. I’ve had the prodigy 13 years now and it never occurred to do it the easy way. However my caution would be that all the locos need to be similar in acceleration and set up because otherwise they’ll just catch each other up or propel/ pull each other. Mine take a lot of fettling to get two that run similar

[@cheekytek]

Robert - yes certainly may need slight adjustment to run as a pair and I’ve noted that on my 37 it trundles away, A good point and one I did not really want to add to this video as I too get overloaded with too many cv goof settings, Unfortunately I’m one of those that reads a book and puts it down loads of times before getting to the end 😆👍 Great comment buddy Garry

[@PaulBriden]

@@cheekytek The problem is, not wanting to add the most important part, many loco's do not run at the same speed even if they are the same type.

[@StrathpefferJunction]

Great explanation, Garry. 👍🏻

[@cheekytek]

Many Thanks David 😉👍

[@bendarling4589]

Hi brilliant video 👍 got my two locos sound on and lights . But when I put the speed on they don’t move . What have I done wrong please . Kind regards Ben .

[@cheekytek]

Hi Ben apologies for the delay as asked around this question as baffled too - best advise I would suggest is to refer back to the Decoder reference sheet with the DCC values and using your controller on read - Read the values you have on each cv you have set compared to the manufacturers data sheet before doing anything rash Again sorry for not providing an answer to the point as there are so many different decoders now days than when I did the video Best wishes Garry

[@StewartBarnard]

Evening Gary from woodfield junction, very helpful video I also have those controllers and their very reliable, and hopefully this should work for me on my class 37s so maybe some double heading running sessions on test trains.

[@cheekytek]

Hi Stewart hope all is well buddy yes very good system either way - same too now I’ve worked it all out certainly will add some double ups 😉👍 All the best Garry

[@hjellam2251]

Hi,i use prodigy advance 2,do both locos have to be the same to run double headed.thanks howard

[@cheekytek]

Hi Howard - no you can use any loco but you may have to speed match them - the prodigy manual dose highlight this as alien as it is. Cheers

[@stalaxjunction4245]

Great help I was stumped if one loco has sound how do I get that working cheers

[@cheekytek]

Many thanks God only knows lol Not sure 100% TBH But as only setting CV1- 6 this doesn’t change the sound setting as a rule- As the sound settings are different CV values Hope this throws some light.. 👍

[@stephenashby4740]

thanks for that great explanation.

[@cheekytek]

Thanks Stephen 😉👍Garry

[@turnout999]

Excellent again Garry.. Happy Xmas to you and your family.. Regards from Geoff at Maryville Junction 😎🚒🚒

[@cheekytek]

Many Thanks Geoff all the best wishes over Xmas to all your side too 😉👍

[@keithwheeler9982]

Cracking Video Garry, many thanks for the info, got me looking through the advance2 book of words and noticed on page 17, for those who have decoders that dont support CV19, you can set up a consist old school, have you tried this on your setup?, it might be of help to some.... love your channel, please keep going with it! many thanks Keith

[@cheekytek]

Hi keith, many thanks - yeah i did see this in the manual - At the time it was very alien to me - Thanks again Cheers Garry

[@stinger2414]

What dcc decoders would you recommend that have the consist function? Cheers!

[@cheekytek]

Great question - but there are so many decoders on the market and this would be impossible to test every one of them in parallel My Best advice is to look at DCC WIKI of which has a list of decoders and their variables. This may be the best advice I can suggest as I am still learning to get the best out of the Bachmann decoders I use. Its a bit of trial and error for many of us really - a bit like catching fish I guess lol. Thanks again Garry..

[@stinger2414]

@@cheekytek much appreciated mate. Time to go fishing 😎

[@danielbrooks3452]

Hello could you please put a list of decoders from different manufacturers. 6 pin 8 pin and 21 pin decoders and there product codes that have the consist function on them please also does Hornby TTS a3 decoders have this option. I'm new to DCC and don't no where to start I have the Gaugemaster prodigy advanced 2

[@cheekytek]

Hi Daniel Thanks for the comment- Being New to the hobby - you may not know but their are hundreds of decoders on the market from many suppliers and in many different pin formations. It would be impossible to put anything like this together Or this would be available on demand. To my knowledge there is nothing compiled like this.. My advise is to email the manufactures if you have any Decoder needs as they will maintain manuals for each decoder.. Or sign up to RMweb and leave a post on their as it has many people in the business and hobby sector that will support. www.rmweb.co.uk/ all the best Garry

[@briansims2865]

Garry... thank you for your lastest video about double haeding,is it the same with my n gauge blue pullman to get them running back to back,if so thank you....brian

[@cheekytek]

Brian that’s a interesting question as I have an HST that I program differently For me to give the Best answer, I will try two tested methods tomorrow to provide solutions that better suits - if ok I take it one unit is powered and the other is unpowered (trailer) Do these have lights/ sound in each ?

[@cheekytek]

Ok Brian I’ve had a look at this I have two options really 1/ to double head but you will need to give the trailer unit a different code to add in as a consist - 2/ and probably the better option Place both units if one motor and one trailer on program track and enter the same loco number so both run as one loco as these will always run as a pair.. 👍 This is commonly done on HSTs Hope this makes sense 👍😉 All the best Garry

[@woodheadwoofers330]

Spot on video Garry Will this work for sound loco’s too ? Will F1 turn both sounds on when they’re ‘double headed’ thanks

[@cheekytek]

Hi Mark To be honest I can’t answer that as I’ve not many sound loco’s but in theory if they are matched with the same code they should both activate as both decoders start together Thanks again Garry 👍

[@woodheadwoofers330]

cheekytek ok, I’ll give them a go.. thanks v much for the response. Your style is easy to follow, and clear and concise

[@EsotericArctos]

Could you do double heading / consist by setting both decoders to the same number so the decoders react to the same commands? Just curious :)

[@cheekytek]

Hi buddy you could as DCC will pick up both addresses / may find even if set as same if numbers they may still have a slight speed difference due motor age or ware as speed steps in scale form alway seem to vary from loco to loco - definitely worth a go 👍 Hope this shines some light on this as never a straight forward thing to overcome All the best Garry

[@alseeineye]

- Hi, is it just loksound select/Bachmann decoders that do not do consist or all Bachmann decoders v4, v5 etc. thanks - great channel, very helpful

[@cheekytek]

Hi Tom That’s a great comment And if I’m honest I’m probably not the best to answer this TBF - I really don’t know all the tech on all these chips and there does seem a grey area when searching the answers.. Personally I find the older bachmann 8 pin and the hornby chips the hardest to consist but something I’m looking into while doing the speed matching video Sorry for not knowing but an interesting comment Thank you 👍 Garry

[@alseeineye]

cheekytek - I don’t know either, was about to order a Bachmann with sound and thought maybe I’d get it and put another type of chip if Bachmann chips aren’t any good for consist - thanks for the reply

[@PaulBriden]

What you do not show, which is very important, is how to get both locomotives running at the same speed, ie, their chips syncronised so that they respond in the same way at exactly the same time. I have had issues with class 37's where they run at different speeds when they are consisted. Sadly I have not figured this out yet.

[@cheekytek]

Hi Paul Many thanks for your comment and apologies for the delayed response. Sadly my health had not been good at late.. This is a point that regularly pops in to a discussion at shows- The truth is I have not worked it out in an easy plug and play manor, Despite that the Gaugemaster prodigy dose do some of the setting of the smaller parameters. And One of the main reason for not showing CV speed remapping. It all comes down to loco age, decoders used, motor wear and CV speed settings, if we knew what to adjust accordingly. lol At the time I started this video there was not many decoders on the market so CV settings were mirrored to a degree. Looking into todays market there are decoders from everywhere and many vary in CV value settings. Hence always best to referee to manuals on each individual decoder for it's mapping settings.. So for me this is now a minefield to cover in a simple format other than what the Prodigy offers.. Again I apologies for this, but I am yet to see a better way to do these in a simple fashion that warrants understandable content. We live in hope my friend.. All the best Garry

[@ledgersfarmjunction6077]

Thanks Garry !

[@cheekytek]

Your welcome Judy hope its of use Many thanks buddy 😉👍

[@ModelTrainOutsider]

I read below that as long as both chips have consist CV, they work together. Have you found same manufacturer chips cooperate more easily?,

[@cheekytek]

Anthony Many Thanks, I have found the budget decoders from Hattons as in the description are pretty much plug and play basically they are gaugemaster chips but rebranded.. All different manufacturers chips should all work together with consist as NRMA compliant As to you question not something I’ve come across as yet Yet I do prefer bachmann but being older decoder stock that function is not present. TBF any chip now days has more options but certainly check this option before purchasing 👍 Thanks again Garry

[@ModelTrainOutsider]

@@cheekytek (late over there as I write). I model Euro trains, and find likes cooperate. Märklin stuff works better with Märklin, Roco with Roco, etc.

[@cheekytek]

Never of thought of them manufacturers great shout may look in to them Cheers for that 👍😉

[@danholland7023]

Hi there, After you added the 2nd loco to the consist , it shows add loco again.. does this mean you can do triple heading aswell ? Cheers, Dan

[@cheekytek]

Absolutely - you could add a third or to which the system allows 😉👍 Cheers buddy Garry

[@jameswilliams208]

Will this work with prodigy express

[@cheekytek]

This is covered in the video at 8:20 secs. Cheers...

[@PaulGarwood]

Great video but please do you know how to do any firmware updates?

[@cheekytek]

Thanks is a good question, apparently you can update then according to forums But looks like something to do with software via a computer, Personally I cant see how this is done and something I am trying to find out.. from what I have read these mainly refer to the MRC american prodigy version which is same - so this is very interesting and if I find anything out I will update this video.. Thanks for asking this.. Cheers for now.. Take care... Garry

[@markosolowey5887]

Hello great video cheers

[@cheekytek]

Many Thanks for watching certainly clever stuff that DCC.. cheers 👍 Garry

[@melanierhianna]

Bachmann uses different brands to supply their decoders. Their latest 21 pin and 8 pin decoders are ESU ones. But their 6 pin ones are Zimos. Their older 6 pin chips are Soundtrax.

[@cheekytek]

Melanie Many Thanks for this great info 👍 Absolutely the new bachmann chips are sublime in my opinion. But other manufacturers are catching up 😉 Great comment and many thanks again All the best Garry 😁

[@huntsheathmodelrailway9309]

Tried this myself, worked no problem except the locos would not run identically. Any tips?

[@cheekytek]

You may find some loco’s will run faster or slower than others this can be down to the motor arrangement of say 37 and a 08 obviously the 37 will pull quickly due to the motor configuration and drive axles - small tweaks to the CV’s on start up voltage and acceleration / deceleration will help slightly (this will be on your reference sheet CV 1 to 5) I have noticed different chips can alter speed patterns but not something advise to go out buying to find a compatible decoders. Hope this throws light Cheers Garry 👍

[@csxrensville5105]

@JTK MODELS To get two or more locos running together it's best to speed match them.

[@9501599]

Hey there what about a HST push pull in DCC?

[@cheekytek]

Hi Guy well HST have one power car and one dummy so really isn’t a problem as only one unit is powered. Hope that answers this buddy, cheers Garry

[@9501599]

Hi there thank you but I was thinking about not having a dummy but 2 powered locomotives🤔

[@cheekytek]

Guy Prior Oh Okay - personally i don’t see the advantages of two HST power cars as a dummy is supplied in each set where you can add sound chips to both for realism- I understand your looking from a reverse unit solution, but seems a little over kill. 😉👍

[@ButlersLane]

Hello Garry can you do this with Hornby decorders

[@cheekytek]

Reference back to your decoder info if it has consist it will Or program that loco to consist- if it doesn’t move then that answers your question 👍

[@ButlersLane]

@@cheekytek thanks you

[@danielsoomodelrailways6881]

can you add unlimited locos like this

[@cheekytek]

Good question Daniel. All depends on what system you have according to the amps being drawn from locos I know that my Gaugemaster Prodigy Advanced runs a 3/4 amp which should run about 10 locos how ever they are coupled - And If you expand to a larger layout and more stock there is an additional 8 amp unit to add if desired. So its more about what amps your unit run at to what stock you run - remember sound and lights etc will count.. Most low end systems like Prodigy express run at 1.5 amps similar to hornby elite That would only run about 4 locos max 2x coupled units. Hope this helps 👍 Garry

[@matthewsnowdenshunterguy3352]

Cool that

[@cheekytek]

Cheers dude - this what DCC will do for you - #matthewstempted 😉 👍

[@aureol40012]

This is really lame. Everyone knows how to set up double heading, I presumed this would be about how to get different types of locos with different chips (ie totally different running characteristics) to smoothly run in multiple together without one pulling or pushing the other. Next!

[@cheekytek]

Funny really as I was asked by many modellers on how to do this - as I have done here. Again from reading the comments below in this video - not everyone has the ability and the knowledge of DCC or how to add two loco’s with different addresses to run as one, and not to be mistaken as speed setting - as I too had to learn this hence my video that clearly demonstrates for those that require help. Clearly this is not you. Maybe you could learn to be polite in comments instead of negativity against other follow modellers.. All the best Garry

[@alanrobertson9790]

@@cheekytek I did not know how to set up double heading although I have the same controller. I could have read the manual but your video is much clearer. I also have the problem of "different types of locos with different chips (ie totally different running characteristics) to smoothly run in multiple together without one pulling or pushing the other". I have two Bachmann Class 90s one 2019 version in Freightliner Powerhaul and a 2022 version in Freightliner Racing green. They would look great together. With a Bachmann 36-569 and a Zimo sound chip they have different running characteristics. I am going to revert both locos to DC. Don't think I have the ability to speed match in DCC. Probably because I'm lame!🙃