ok, probably a dumb question but here goes, I have the Milwaukee road Hiawatha set that includes 2 FP7As and an FP7B. So they are number 95A, 95B, and 95C. How do I address them in my DCC system when we don’t have letters? Make up a number I guess. I guess I could go 950, 951, and 952
It depend on what you want to do with the locomotives. Are you ever going to run then separately, or will they always be run as a 3-unit locomotive? If they will always be run together, simply give them the same number, and the DCC commands will make them all do the same thing at the same time. If they have directional headlights, then the A unit going forward will be on and the one going backward will be off, as that should be. So, just make each one number 95. On the other hand, if they will need to be controlled separately, adopt a convention like numbering them 951, 952 and 953, or maybe 195, 295 and 395, or, well, you get it, right? Then use whatever DCC system you run to "consist" them (NCE term), or "MU" them (more a Digitrax term), so that the command station knows to send the same info to all three units through their separate consist address. That way, you can break the consist while they are on the layout and control them separately, when need be, and then reconsist them again when need be. Obviously, option 1 is simple compared to option 2, so the only reason people use option 2 is to be able to do things independently with each unit.
Thanks i did option two just in case and it was easier. A is 950, B is 951, and C is 952. 0 for A 1 for B and 2 for C. Thanks. Already have them in a consist and added at the end of the train just for fun my Athearn Challenger 4-6-6-4 and added it to the consist. Pretty cool. The headlight on the lead comes on when in forward and the headlight on the tail C/952 comes on in reverse. I think I might like this hobby!!!
Maybe its just me...but if you number the alphabet...A would be (1)...B (2)...C( 3) etc.. Looking at an ABA set my brain says the Locos should be 1st, 2nd, 3rd locomotive in line. Hence 951....952...953 in the numbering sequence. Like I said it may just be me...lol
