Select - loco addressing

[jcm@gwr]

Hi guys,

My son has a Hornby Select and an interest in the LNER [i know!].

Myquestion is I am trying a come up with a simple method of using

the 2 digit system for his locos. The obvious is the last 2 digits of

the loco number, but I think this could cause problems as his loco

stock increases [possible duplication later], also he has both 4/5

digit numbers [LNER & BR].

I thought about using numbers for class letters [1=a 2=b,3=c, etc]

but that falls down at J [classes L,N,V,etc?], I even considered the

system on phone keypads [2=abc, 3=def, etc] but that has it's own

limits re: duplication.

Any ideas? Jeff

[JZ]

Difficult one this. I managed to use a two digit address system until I was up to about 70 loco's, always using 1 or 2 digits from the loco number. In the end it became unmanagable and went to 4, using the last four digits of the loco number, though even this has it's limitations if you have Britannia or the first 4MT standard tank. My son kept to two digits longer than me, simply by using his own number series and marking the underside of each loco/unit with it's number. I think it best to keep the system you are using, ie last two digits, as by the time his stock increases, he may well find wants a DCC system with more control than the select.

[richard hines]

I have made a small board with the address number and class of locomotive written on it.I have placed this at the side of the controller.As both ends of my layout run into quite long tunnels i can create some interesting tail chasing,i therefore add a note on the board as to what is in the tunnels to avoid collisons,I use a tag system on pegs to achieve this and i find it works well.I use the engine class rather than the number as i find it easier to visulize.

[jcm@gwr]

Thanks guys,

But part of the problem is the fact that the Select system only goes 1 - 50,

this means you can't use the last 2 digits for F.S. [4472], also you can't do

some class no's [J83, J72, etc]

Cheers, Jeff

[JZ]

Thanks guys,

But part of the problem is the fact that the Select system only goes 1 - 50,

this means you can't use the last 2 digits for F.S. [4472], also you can't do

some class no's [J83, J72, etc]

Cheers, Jeff

 

Sorry, forgot this. Maybe number them in the order he aquired them ?

[craigwelsh]

It does look like you'll have to use a lookup table. Put the spreadsheet in class + real number order and just allocate the next decoder number as each loco is bought.

[jcm@gwr]

Thanks for all your suggestions guys.

I think I will have to do a list and then allocate numbers as necc.

The 'clever' numbering will happen when he upgrades to better

quality controllers [maybe a Dynamis?]

I reckon he will manage till then.

Cheers, Jeff