Thanks for that comment LVRR1856.
Yes - all of my HC's are individually named. They weren't however discovered/known to all of the others. I've since effected that change.
I will repeat my experiment of linking locos and cycling track power, etc., to see if this makes any difference to as to when any particular HC can recognize the linked locos.

BTW: can the nicads in the HC be swapped with LI-types?

Hello,
         I am currently trying to power a 1/25th scale car for G-scale. I have the motor from a G-scale Bachmann Trolley, which is what a lot of the HO locomotives use. My problem is that I cannot fit a larger 14v - 18v battery pack inside the chassis when the shell is added. So that being said what is the minimum voltage battery that can be used with this board to operate the motor and 4 micro led's ?. Any help is much appreciated. Travis

Hey Espeelark,
Thought I would throw out something - I am reading the manual (that thing you read after you start ... you know - LOL).

The section for using multiple HC's suggests you give each HC a unique name (example HC1, HC2, Mike or Bob .. etc).

Then before operating make sure each HC is found under Acc's page, main page must be on to do this - read instructions ...

Maybe this will help in your situation ? Again - throwing this out there ...

Pages 7,8,9 talks about it, especially for use of the "Stop All" function, allows it to send stop command to all HC's as long as they are all talking with each other.

Atlas switches are DCC... cordial... at best.    I have a bunch of them on my layout and the biggest issue I have is shorting at the frog simply due to the design of the switch. They are dead frog design, but the opposing rails come so close together that wheels will often span the gap causing a short. Liquid electrical tape or simple clear nail polish will usually do the job.
As for powering them, If you happen to have an old DC powerpack lying around, just wire that up to power the switches. Quick & easy.