Being the local club also uses DCC, not sure how I'd be the "odd one out." As for someone else using the same numbers as I, every club I've been a part of wants each individual to have the first two digits of the 4 digit number be a "member number." So let's say your number is 25, all your address should be 25XX. As long as everyone follows the rules of using member numbers, there is no conflict of numbers. As for narrowing down the problem unit, uncouple the consist, the loco that don't move, or goes the wrong way, there's your problem. Easy way to prevent locos from moving all over the layout, don't break up the consist. As for the controller/system storing 99 different locos, as I mentioned in my example, I have consist of 5+ locos, and when consisting, and they all have different addresses, the system adds another address for the consist. So for a consist of 5 different locos, its 6 slots. Now go to a show on a club layout where not everyone is clearing when they clear off the main, you can fill up those 99 slots very quickly. As for keeping sight, I use JMRI, so pretty easy to keep track. Plus not having a home layout, but running on club layouts, or at friends, its easy that my loco lash up is all set up and ready to go without spending 5-10 minutes setting up the consist. While there is nothing wrong with having each loco on a different address, it really depends on the individual's situation. Once I settle and build my own layout, one day, some day...my loco consist will pretty much be "permanent." So again, no real reason to have each loco have a different address. As for using DCC the way it was intended, how am I not? It works great for me, just because I set up my consist differently than how you would doesn't mean I am doing it wrong. I'm using it a way that just works well for me. Besides, been using it for almost 20 years, and have never had a problem with it. But then there are the times when members at clubs aren't paying attention when trying to program, and end up programming on the main and poof, suddenly there are 20+ engines all on the same address. But I'm sure every club has had that happen at least once.
Yada yada yada....I've no layout now as I had to move...But when I had a layout it had a 2.5 -3 % grade. Plus this grade was on a 25" radius curve which adds allot of drag to the train, to boot. I , by myself used to (NCE, HO/sound locos) make a double header steam (Mogul and 4-4-0) lashup. Sometimes together, sometimes front and back (pusher). To not bust a knuckle I'd start the rear or second engine very slowly. I'd immediately start the lead loco to match the movement while still bunching up cars. Train would be nicely under way at about 2 MPH. I'd then volley the speed increases rear then front, rear then front. Soon (Not MUed) I'd be smoothly walking uphill with 2 steams with out-of-synch chuffs, like the 1:1 scale would have been. I continue volleying speeds and keep an eye on the stretching or bunching going on and correct it by 1 speed No. at a time for each engine, as if I was 2 different engineers in the steam era. The train which earlier could not make the climb is now smoothly under way..What's the big issue here ? ...Just do it.. It works fine...(trick is to start rear first though, which I'd bet the 1:1 did for same reason)...M
