Playback mode & run trains simultaneously?

I have played around with that I wanted to do the same thing on my layout.  Yes once you are in playback mode you can operate the engines that are not being used by the session.  I set my trains to run on "schedule" and bring cars from the yard area to the factories while not interfering with the "scheduled" trains

RE: "you can operate the engines that are not being used by the session".  I can't prove this since my layout is not currently up, but my recollection is that you can control ANY engine while running a playback session.  I seem to recall altering the speed of an engine "involved" in a playback session.

- walt

Walt,

my recollection is that you can control ANY engine while running a playback session. 

Your recollection is correct - you can.

Thanks for the comments. I do have experience with the playback mode, but I was curious if others did as well and what their experiences were. I was also curious as to just what things the system would do. For example:

-Engines running in the session without messing them or the session up

 -Blow whistle

 -Turn smoke unit on and off( this has also been known to turn off lights)

 -Alter speed( When calling an engine, the speed starts at 0 )

-Running engines not in the session simultaneously

 -Will they alter the memory of the session in any way?

 -Does it matter if they are DCS or TMCC engines?

 -Is there a limit as to how many can be run?

These are things I plan on experimenting with, but was hoping for some experience before I start. 

Recording a scenario and letting it run and then controlling and engine or two separately is quite a bit if fun.  I record a Legacy and a DCS scenerio and run them together while running independent trains.

I wish Legacy allowed multiple recordings lie DCS. 

GHD: the way that I think of a recorded session is this: "something" is sending commands during playback.  The remote is just another "something".

I've done many things with the remote while playing back a session, including switching switches, activating accessories, etc.

The session itself is not altered since you are, in essence, in READ-ONLY mode.

- walt

Walt,

Just an FYI...

During a playback session, the remote does nothing except initiate the session. If you like, once the playback session is started, you could even turn off the remote without any ill effects.

Barry, I'm curious how the system works when you're in the playback mode and you call up one of the engines in the session to blow the whistle or turn the smoke unit on and off. Does it override the program somehow or give signals in parallel. These are my definitions here, but I think you'll understand what I'm getting at. Thanks for the input. George

George,

It works in exactly the same way as would two different DCS Remotes sending commands to the same engine. Each command is executed by the engine in the order in which it's received.

The only difference is that the playback session commands are being called out of the TIU's memory rather than being issued by a DCS Remote. To the engine, it looks like two remotes.

George has been my ambassador with this part of DCS. I've seen his layout run in playback and it's great. He really uses DCS to it's fullest. I would like to see it run again.

Ralph

Barry,

Thanks for the clear explanation and example. I had some strange things happen in the past and now with the new TIU's and improved signal strength around the whole layout, I plan to test the system again.

George