I have the same problem on my layout. I'll have four short lines that could have the same loco numbers. My plan is just to add a multiple of 1000 to the number. For example, I would add 2000 to any of my Sn2 locos so Sn2 J&J #6 would be 2006.
Some system's throttles allow you to display a name for an address, such as, BN 2, and RGS 2, but the decoders still need unique addresses if they are on energized track at the same time. (Zimo MX32 and ESU ECoS are two, plus some computer systems allow this.) Technically you can have a short address 2 and a long address 0002, but the only system I know that can handle that case is NCE. Most systems use the short address below a certain number (100 or 127 for example) and long addresses above that point. Long addresses are sometimes called 4 digit addresses but they actually can go to 10,239, but not all systems can go that high and many common systems stop at 9000, or 9999. Dave Heine -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of tpm1ca Sent: Saturday, December 01, 2012 11:41 AM To: [email protected] Subject: {S-Scale List} Re: Are there decoders that allow letter and number recording marks? Aka. #2 problem Dear Mystery Poster: The short answer is "no". The long answer is "nooooo". A DCC system may only address a decoder by a numerical address. So it seems you have two choices: 1 - Assign unique numbers using some other system (eg: Goose gets "2", 23-Ton gets "223", 25-Ton gets "225" and 44-Ton gets "244"). 2 - Assign them all as "02" and only ever have one of them on the layout at any one time. Since the BN, WPY and RGS are all from unique times and places, they'd never be seen together anyway so it shouldn't be a problem. - Trevor --- Trevor Marshall Port Rowan in 1:64 I model a steam-era Canadian National branch line terminal in S scale, and blog about it here: http://themodelrailwayshow.com/cn1950s The Model Railway Show Listen in as two recovering radio newscasters host a podcast about the hobby: http://www.themodelrailwayshow.com --- In [email protected], "empirebuilderjjhill" <empirebuilderjjhill@...> wrote: > > I've just started to get into Sn3 and Dual Gauge (in addition to Standard Gauge) and am rapidly realizing that, so long as I use decoders that only record an engines number, I'm going to have a "#2 problem." > > I'm currently painting Smith's Contracting #2 (thank you again Jamie!), a GE 23 ton, am working on a Smokey Mountain 44 ton which is becoming BN #2, am looking for a 25 ton to use to create WPY #2, and recently found a model of RGS motor (aka. Goose) #2. > > Obviously, if it were just me, I could easily assign unused numbers to these units and wouldn't have a problem. > > However, these units are slated to operate on a club layout and, to avoid confusion, I was wondering if there was a decoder out there that would allow the operator to enter the full recording marks, namely SCCO0002 for the 23 ton, BN0002 for the 44 ton, WPY0002 for the 25 ton, and RGS0002 for the Goose. > ------------------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Links ------------------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/S-Scale/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/S-Scale/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: [email protected] [email protected] <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [email protected] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
