What's the secret for using the universal remote for more than one train?

I guess I'm at a loss or don't understand what you are having issue with?

Any remote (example MTH DCS remote, Lionel CAB1L remote, universal Lionchief remote) say you are controlling 2 or 3 trains at the same time. you technically have to switch, you control one train at a time, and the other 2 keep doing what they were last doing while you control the third.

You have 3 buttons on the universal remote corresponding to 3 different memory slot IDs if you will. All 3 are learning slot meaning one at a time, you put ONE Lionel Bluetooth or Lionchief RF protocol equipped loco powered on the track to train or learn each button position. Once you have programmed 3 different locos, one at a time, into the remote, then you can put all 3 on the track, and then just tap the button to highlight which one is active control at the time, and the other 3 go dimmer but still lit showing they are active and still talking to the remote.

Again basically all controls systems I know of today generally work the same way. You typically add one engine at a time initially to get everything programmed. Once programmed, you can control multiple locos- although still mostly one at a time which one is under active control or the current addressed loco.

I have just learned to run two trains with my Legacy control.  Since I have a lot of track down, the engines don't get near one another.
With the Legacy you simply select the number you have assigned to engine and adjust the speed and of course do other control items such as whistle and bell. I am still getting used to it.

How does one control the speed when switching back and forth when the position of the dial is different for each?

Thanks,

John

I believe when you switch to a new engine, it's will continue what it's doing until you move the throttle dial.  There is also a short time before it reacts to a throttle change.  You probably have to move the dial reasonably quickly to match the selected locomotive.

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

I believe when you switch to a new engine, it's will continue what it's doing until you move the throttle dial.  There is also a short time before it reacts to a throttle change.  You probably have to move the dial reasonably quickly to match the selected locomotive.

Thanks John,

I'll try that.   If train 1 is at 1:00 and train 2 is at 4:00 and I switch from train 2 to train 1 it seems hard to precisely control.

John

@Craftech posted:

Thanks John,

I'll try that.   If train 1 is at 1:00 and train 2 is at 4:00 and I switch from train 2 to train 1 it seems hard to precisely control.

John

Well, I don't think the Universal Remote offers "precise" control.   I believe it only offers about 20 speed steps.

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

Well, I don't think the Universal Remote offers "precise" control.   I believe it only offers about 20 speed steps.

OK, Got it.

Thanks,

John

@Bill Park posted:

I have just learned to run two trains with my Legacy control.  Since I have a lot of track down, the engines don't get near one another.
With the Legacy you simply select the number you have assigned to engine and adjust the speed and of course do other control items such as whistle and bell. I am still getting used to it.

I am on two different tracks so collisions aren't an issue.

Thanks,

John

I agree with John.  I briefly operated a LC+ 2.0 loco with the Universal Remote.  I found it "jumpy," touchy and hard to control compared to a first-generation LionChief Plus steam loco that came with its own dedicated remote.  The LC+ 2.0 loco was easier to control with a CAB-2.

I didn't try the first-generation LionChief with the Universal Remote.  So I don't know whether the lack of precision is due to the orange remote, or just the way the LC+ 2.0 locos interpret the commands from it.  If I didn't already have a couple of CAB-2s, I think I would choose LC+ over the new 2.0s.  My $.02.

https://youtu.be/BoB19uUPMqw

@Soo Line posted:

https://youtu.be/BoB19uUPMqw

That's a really helpful and well done video.

Bottom line:  You are better off with a separate universal remote for each engine especially if more than one person is using the layout to run trains.

John

I agree with John especially if you have grandchildren running trains.  Each one has a remote to control the train they are running.  Cuts down on the chatter that will pursue about being able to run trains.

@Ted S posted:

I didn't try the first-generation LionChief with the Universal Remote.  So I don't know whether the lack of precision is due to the orange remote, or just the way the LC+ 2.0 locos interpret the commands from it.  If I didn't already have a couple of CAB-2s, I think I would choose LC+ over the new 2.0s.  My $.02.

Not me, I have no LC or LC+, but I have a handful of LC+ 2.0 locomotives.  The LC+ 2.0 locomotives run considerably smoother on TMCC then the Universal remote, and I have control of smoke from the remote as well.  You also have more flexibility with the crew talk if you use it from the TMCC remote.

So what happens if one train is going in reverse and the other is going forward? When you switch engine numbers the current engine slams into the opposing direction, or does it slow down and stop and then change direction?

"When you switch engine numbers the current engine slams into the opposing direction, or does it slow down and stop and then change direction?"

When you switch engine numbers the other engine(s) keep going in the direction and at the speed they were going.  The next command affects only the engine you've selected.

@Craftech posted:

That said, they don't have their own remote.  You have to buy a universal remote.

I haven't seen anyone mention it yet, but besides the universal remote, there's also a specific app for your phone that you use to control LionChief engines. It also has more controls than the universal remote.

@Landsteiner posted:

"When you switch engine numbers the current engine slams into the opposing direction, or does it slow down and stop and then change direction?"

When you switch engine numbers the other engine(s) keep going in the direction and at the speed they were going.  The next command affects only the engine you've selected.

So let's say engine 1 is running forward. Engine 2 is running reverse.  You are currently operating engine 2.  You go back to engine 1 which is running forward but your dial on your remote is in reverse. What happens?

Nothing happens until you press a button or move the dial.  The locomotives will respond to new inputs, not previous inputs for another loco.

It's also a bit slow to respond, so if you are quick with the dial movement to move it to the direction it is going after switching, it'll probably be somewhat seamless.  It's bound to get a speed change unless you're really exact in the dial position.

I think this is hard to explain the multiple locomotive operation. I know a different video was posted earlier up the thread. Maybe this one will help. Go to about 5:50 and I have 3 locomotives I run in the same frame with the UR

Cool, I was going to fire it up with two locomotives, you saved me the trouble.