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I am trying to build an ABBA lash-up with my Lionel F3 (6-24520, 24521, 24522) using the instructions in the owner's manual.  The train moves correctly and both A units smoke but I can't get the rear A unit coupler to fire.  The coupler does open when I address that engine specifically.  

Lead A unit 1516 (engine 16) powered

First B unit 1519 (engine 19) powered

2nd B unit 1517 (engine 17) non-powered

Rear A unit 1518 (engine 18) non-powered

 

Train Building keystrokes on Cab-1 TMCC:

TR, 1, 16, F, set

TR, 1, 19, set

TR, 1, 17, set

TR, 1,18, R, set

I have tried it with the last loco using R and without with the same results. 

What am I missing?

 

 

 

Last edited by Steims
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Steims, I know what you're trying to do. I'm just having a bit of fun with you.

I have had a long-standing problem with the term "lashup" ever since MTH and Lionel both started using this silly term. In the real world what you are trying to build is called a "Multiple Unit Consist." In this context, the word "consist" has the emphasis on the first syllable - CON-sist.

Among experienced railroaders, the term "lashup" is never used...unless you have a lot of rope you don't know what to do with. 

Last edited by Rich Melvin

Larry asked about which Lionel controls I am using.  The answer is that I have both a Cab-1 and Cab-2 on the layout with the y-cable connecting the bases.  I noticed an interesting behavior earlier when programming these locos.  The powered A unit (1516) seemed to operator slow, kind of crawl, using the Cab-2.  It felt like I had a speed limit or something on it.  I then used the Cab-1 and this thing zips right along just like I would expect.  I have the Cab-2 set on TMCC, RS, Diesel.   Is there another setting someplace I missed that makes this loco run sluggish on the Cab-2?

That’s a great question, possibly re-program both powered units and use the Cab 2 remote, go through the labeling sequence and run them in diesel mode, using the M button for operation of the train. That’s just an idea. When I program my Legacy diesels, (assigning ID numbers via the remote do to no more orange modules), going through the program mode, answering the ID questions, on diesels, I use diesel, etc. Also, you might put the Cab 2 in Cab 1 mode???? I hope some of the TMCC experts chime in, You have a good question. 

 

The Cab-2 uses absolute speed steps. This means that every speed step is exactly the same increment of speed. The Cab-1 uses relative speed steps. This means that each speed step is a bigger jump in speed that the previous step.  The Cab-1 also only has 32 speed steps. With the Cab-2 you can have 100 speed steps. This allows much finer control of the speed without radical jumps in how fast the loc is running. If you configure you engine in the Cab-2 as cab-1 control, you will get 32 speed steps. I dont recall if you also get relative speed steps. When you configure your loc as tmcc control in the Cab-2 you will get absolute speed steps. This simple difference is why people enjoy legacy over the Cab-1. You get finer speed control just by using the remote. Tmcc locs always had this feature built in but the Cab-1 was not equipped to take advantage of it.

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