Programming Multiple Engines in a Train

Did you assign the rear engine facing backwards?

Yes each engine was loaded first separately, then I created the Train.  If I address each engine separately the front coupler works with front coupler button because they are both front couplers, but in a Train I would have thought the rear engine would become the rear coupler

It's tha Union Pacific. PA Alco set from 2011.  I notice in the Cab 2 display both engines are pointing the same direction.  Should one be pointing the other way?  If so how do you do that?

Thanks

Ahhh there you have it.  When in train building mode, when you have that engine selected, first button under the display is DIR.  Push it and it will face the other way.  That should do it.

That worked!  Thanks!

One more question.  Should I be setting the powered B unit in the remote to what they call a Breakdown unit, or is that something else?  Is that what a B unit is?

Thanks

B is booster.

Breakdown means to take apart your lashup.

A typical B unit will be setup the same as an A unit in the ENG menu in most Legacy situations.

Running an ABA  TR or train the B unit would most likely be setup as a unit going in the forward position.  When the other A unit is added it will basically disable the couplers on the B.  As you found the 2 A unit nose couplers will function and not the B units.

A break down unit is a B unit that Lionel made a few years back that simulates an engine having problems.  The sounds resemble a diesel motor failing and a smoke unit simulates the engine burning up.  You would add it in a train where a B-unit would go.

I have never built a LASHUP ,but i am curious about one thing,if say after building a lashup with 5 engines you took 4 engines off the track & left just one engine, would that one engine still respond by it's original id number ,& would all other engine functions still work as an individual engine?

Yep.  Each engine still re-acts as an individual engine.  I have heard some instances where an engine facing rear in a train setup would still start up going in reverse when used as an ENG though.  Can't recall experiencing that myself.

Thanks MartyE ,for the quick response,maybe now i will have the confidence to try & build a lashup.

Old TMCC Way.   On breakdown assign all engines to TR 0.  I don't know if that works with Legacy.  That also corrects the start up backwards.  It is not uncommon to create a consist new and forget that you had also included another engine previous.   Problem is no matter where that engine is on your layout it still thinks it's part of the consist.  That has happened many times.

Building consist TR #4  (TMCC) All engines in forward movement, front head light on, powered on the track.  

First engines.  TR 4, Eng ##, (Engine facing forward), F (Front) Set, horn will blow.

TR4,##,F,Set, expect horn 

Second engine. TR 4, Eng##, (Engine facing forward), Set, horn will blow.

TR4,##,Set, expect horn

Third engine. TR4, Eng ##, (Engine facing backward) DIR, Set, horn will blow.

TR4,##,DIR,Set, expect horn

Fourth engine. TR4, Eng ##, (Engine facing backward) DIR, R (Rear), Set, horn will blow.

TR4,##,DIR,R,Set, expect horn

All others are added as either the Second or Third engine.

Check engine consist.  F (front coupler of the consist) only should work, all others are inoperative.   R (rear coupler of the consist should work all others are inoperative.

Only the front engine head light should work.   Hit DIR only the rear engine head light should work. All other head lights are off.    Start the consist and be sure all engines are working together.

Yes, it was an easy way to get finger cramps.

Mike.  

Breakdown in this instance refers to the Lionel Breakdown units.  The B units simulating a diesel with a engine problem.

And Legacy make that whole process so much easier.  Sheesh no wonder I rarely did MUs in TMCC 1.

I just watched Lionels product video on the new Sharknose RF16s.  They are saying if you are just using the A units and no B units you don't need to create a train.  Just assign both locomotives the same engine number.  They were designed from the Factory to have the Powered unit as front and Non Powered as rear.  Is this true on all Legacy locomotives?

I don't think so as my Legacy SF F3s needed to be in a train for the couplers and lighting to work correctly. 

Now that being said, you could open up any of these engines and move the coupler and lighting connector to the "rear" position and then you'd be ok.  These used to be separate connectors on TMCC1 engines but not sure if this is the case on Legacy engines.

I tried assigning my two U-Boats the same number and not assigning them to a train, when you open the front coupler, both open and the consist breaks up.   You also can't run them tail-to-tail, since one wants to run in the wrong direction, can you say tug-of-war?

Must be something new for 2012.  I'm going to try it tonight on my D&H RF16s and see what happens.

I should add that my second A unit was non powered (no motors only couplers lighting and sound) so of course unless they setup the motors in a powered second unit to start in reverse then no you cannot.

But there are ways around that too that are probably not factory sanctioned.

Swap the motor leads?

Well the RF16 AA Set is 1 powered and 1 non powered.  So I'm going to assign them the same engine number and see if lighting, couplers, etc all work the correct way.  According to their video it should by default.  I guess since its a set and they always come together they set it up that way.