Double heading Postwar engines question.

[Ben G.]

Well the 1033 does a great job at running two engines at the same time. I am pleased with how it turned out.

I was originally thinking about getting a 682 to double head with the 681 since they would be geared the same, but I double headed the 681 with my 2056 and it worked out fine. I think the 681 does the majority of the pulling and the 2056 assists. Either engine will pull the cars around the track by itself, the 681 more easily than the 2056. Although when double headed the train goes around the best.

The track is o-27 and about 12'x12' loop with 3 lockons from the transformer, the apartment floor must be somewhat sloped because the train speeds up on one side and slows down on the other. I have 19 cars, a mix of post war and modern. Some of the cars a fairly heavy like the 3359, slag car, tenders, crane car and the car carrier is filled with old metal matchbox cars, so I am happy with how well the trains go around the track with the 1033. Pretty good for 60 year old trains!

http://s965.photobucket.com/albums/ae135/snatchblock16/?action=view&current=MVI_0457.mp4

[balidas]

This may give you an idea or two.

http://cs.trains.com/TRCCS/forums/p/172006/1888294.aspx#1888294

[Ben G.]

lionelsoni

Although Lionel made many thousands of them, there was only one prototype S2, so your lash-up may be the first, whether with models or in real life!

Well that is exciting!

I was planning on putting the 682 in front and modifying the front truck on the 681. I read on here somewhere that someone added a coupler to their front truck on their 2018 without major modification. The front truck on the 681 is different than the 2018 but I think I could figure out a way to add a coupler in a similiar fashion. Now I just have find a 682 for the right price....haha.

Thanks for the info everyone.

Ben

[lionelsoni]

There are ways to install a front coupler without permanently modifying a steam locomotive.  Two of them were described years ago in CTT.

Although Lionel made many thousands of them, there was only one prototype S2, so your lash-up may be the first, whether with models or in real life!

[gunrunnerjohn]

Put the 682 in front,

[TRAINCAT]

I am curious as to how you would go about double heading these? Seems like it would take a lot of cutting and fabricating to install a coupler on the front of a 681/682. You would trash any collector value. The 682's are rare and expensive to buy.

 

Roger

[Seayakbill]

A 1033 should be able to operate two PW single motored locos with no problem as long as both locomotives are in excellent running order. Where you could possibly run into problems is if you are drawing additional track power for lighted passenger cars or accessories. Some of the PW diesels and GG-1's had dual motors and the 1033 had no problems with them.

[Ben G.]

I recently got the old Lionel train set out. I have a Postwar 681 engine and I would like to get a 682 and double head them. I have a 1033 transformer. Is this transformer powerful enough to run both engines double head? If not what are my other options?  TIA