Running 2 trains at once with MTH DCS ?.

Are they DCS, TMCC, Legacy, or conventional?

If they are MTH DCS just start them up and select between the two to operate. (Find it easier to set one and control the other to avoid the first.)

Rozy,

There's really no trick to it. Just start up the first one, get it moving, and repeat for the second one.  

Several options.

1) You can MU (Lashup) the two locomotives. They don't have to be physically connected. So.. you can have one locomotive pulling a train on one side of the layout, while the other locomotive is pulling another. It is possible for you to see speed variations if you mix PS2 and PS3.

2) You can use the "ALL" function. Use the DCS remote to find all active DCS locomotives. Start them up and run them.

3) Start up each locomotive individually and use the ENG button two switch between the two while you are running them.

Rozy,

  As Barry points out there is no big trick to this.  However if you would like a visual learning experience in how to due this an much more invest in the OGR Video Guide to DCS.  Rich Melvin does a bang up job in this OGR DCS Video Guide, showing how to operate different kinds of engines, even at the same time. Simply a great visual learning video for the DCS.

PCRR/Dave

I run four quite often. I just use the all command and start them all together, then run them as one.

Dave,

You should be aware that, while the OGR video was a fine tool in its day, it is now quite dated. It discusses DCS 3.0 or 3.1 in a world where DCS has progressed through DCS 4.0, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3. 5.0, 5.1, and 6.0, to DCS 6.1.

While it may not have any wrong information, it leaves out a number of newer DCS features, including Recover Engine, and the lashup save settings function, as well as any mention of the DCS App or WiFi.

Barry,

   I am aware that it is a dated video, however it's still gives a great deal of visual education on DCS especially, to a new DCS user.  I do wish Rich would put out an up dated version no doubt about that.  I still recommend it highly.

PCRR/Dave

Hit the engine button, then the s3 button, then it will ask you which tiu, slect one (assuming you are running in super) then start them up and run.  I run 4 on the same track at on time, with another two running on their own loops.   

At the Paradise and Pacific Railroad, one of our members and his grandson have run 17 trains at the same time over 4 mainlines using DCS.  Not sure, I'd have the patience to operate and dispatch that many at once myself, but the public enjoys it.

Regarding Melvin's video, here's my two cents: Dated as it may be, it is inspirational! I play it in the background downstairs in the train room. They really should have had him smoking a pipe with a Mr. Rogers' cardigan on.

But for the real scoop, turn to Dr. Broskowitz's fine book. 

Hey Barry... A little off topic but I tried the ALL command over at Jacks 4 tiu super mode layout with a pair of engines ... It worked just fine in all zones.

Why don't you just read GILLY @N&W' s post..... We don't need no  friggin  manuals.

Rozy 205,

I will add one thing:  When you run two DCS trains on the same track, you will still need to monitor the engines.  I run four trains on a double-track overhead line(s).  Although you can set the speed the same, they will never run at exactly the same speed.  With my overhead, I'm running 20 car consists at 100 feet around.  After 20-30 minutes, you will notice one is catching up to the other.  You will easily learn this and make the proper speed adjustment.

When company comes, make sure you are not distracted enough to let one run into the other.   My one major error was talking while starting up one and forgetting to start the other.  Four cars tumbled 7 feet to the tiled floor.  Generally, the engines are too heavy to fall, but the cheap plastic trucks on three of them broke and had to be replaced.  All the cars suffered not a scratch.  The only major disaster in 4 years of operation.

Best wishes, and have a ball running those trains.

Jerry

Gregg,

A little off topic but I tried the ALL command over at Jacks 4 tiu super mode layout with a pair of engines ... It worked just fine in all zones.

Yes, the All command is a lot of fun and a neat feature.

Dr Joe,

   I always recommend Barry's great Book also, in fact even when talking about the OGR Video Guide to DCS, I always picture Barry book at the same time.  There are people however who learn a lot quicker with a visual video, and it's great that Rich made the OGR Video Guide to DCS, especially for these kind of people.  Myself I like both formats very much, in fact I use the older copies of Barry's book Track side as I build my layouts to put notes in.  Somebody walked off with my ring note book copy version that I had made years ago, so I started using the older version of Barry's book for my notes, it seems to stay around permanently that way.

Both formats are great Barry's is the most up to date all the time.

PCRR/Dave

I have Barry's DCS manual I will refer to it & see if I can accomplish this. Thanks for your replies.

              ROZY 205 

With all power units on, you can choose the "ALL" function on the LCD. I can fit - run 7 total trains using two main tracks. Lots of noise!

Currently running 8 locomotives pulling five trains on one 300' loop.  The DCS All function is your best friend.

Clem

Clem,

Five trains?  Three hundred foot loop?  Got any pics/videos of that?

Jerry