DCS lashup questions

First, you create the consist (lash-up) the regular way and point out which engine is the lead and have the other trailing. You select the direction they face in that train. Some of the lighting will operate automatically. Now that depends on each engine's sound set and lighting built in. When you reverse the train, the trailing engine automatically become the lead somewhat. The lights will change yet the sounds like horns, bells, etc. won't. They may stay with the given lead engine.

 Back to the lights, the lead engine should change most of the lights like a real train would. You may not like which ones do. You may have to change them for the trains direction to your liking.

 So I wouldn't state exactly what will happen right now. I would state that after you build the train, you then select each engine, and change any features you want to. You then select the save function to keep those features. That example would apply to one engine's smoke unit and engine sounds being off for example.

 There is another issue and it varies with engines used, DCS version flaws, etc. Sometimes even after saving the changes, the train will change settings after cycling the power. You may have to go back and shut the smoke off again for example. It should stay off but maybe not. It's just an example and I'd guess that it would be a certain light that may give you more problems. Somethings are variables that aren't carved in stone.

In the end you may find it easier to create 2 different trains, one for each direction. The sound and smoke should be retained then.

To make it even easier you may also shut off the volume and smoke pot on the F40. That way as you build, or make changes, the default setting of off should be retained better.

Engineer-Joe posted:

First, you create the consist (lash-up) the regular way and point out which engine is the lead and have the other trailing. You select the direction they face in that train. Some of the lighting will operate automatically. Now that depends on each engine's sound set and lighting built in. When you reverse the train, the trailing engine automatically become the lead somewhat. The lights will change yet the sounds like horns, bells, etc. won't. They may stay with the given lead engine.

 Back to the lights, the lead engine should change most of the lights like a real train would. You may not like which ones do. You may have to change them for the trains direction to your liking.

 So I wouldn't state exactly what will happen right now. I would state that after you build the train, you then select each engine, and change any features you want to. You then select the save function to keep those features. That example would apply to one engine's smoke unit and engine sounds being off for example.

 There is another issue and it varies with engines used, DCS version flaws, etc. Sometimes even after saving the changes, the train will change settings after cycling the power. You may have to go back and shut the smoke off again for example. It should stay off but maybe not. It's just an example and I'd guess that it would be a certain light that may give you more problems. Somethings are variables that aren't carved in stone.

In the end you may find it easier to create 2 different trains, one for each direction. The sound and smoke should be retained then.

To make it even easier you may also shut off the volume and smoke pot on the F40. That way as you build, or make changes, the default setting of off should be retained better.

The marker lights are completely independent for the Genesis and F40PH. My Amtrak F40PH will most likely arrive on the 9th, so I won't be able to test it at the SD3Rs. But I do have a Tri-Rail F40PH in my collection, which is almost identical to my incoming Amtrak F40PH in terms of electronics and features. So I will bring it with me next weekend to test lashups with my Genesis.

I will definitely try having 2 lashups, but I will first try with just 1 lashup.

Turning off the volume and smoke pot on the engine most likely won't do anything to what they control, since the engine ignores those when it's in DCS mode.

MichaelB posted:

Turning off the volume and smoke pot on the engine most likely won't do anything to what they control, since the engine ignores those when it's in DCS mode.

It's a default that the engine can/will revert to. They do ignore the conventional settings under DCS. There are times when they do look at them however. My memory fails me but it has something to do with what the board looks at first. I got the idea from a post by GGG for another person having issues.