I also plan on creating designated consists that will stay together at all times. The consists might haul different trains on different days, but the motive power stays the same. Other trains locals and turns will run with solo power.
Don Z.
Research; it's not just for geeks.
Good point on the steam. Now, back to the question.
What do you modelers do with your consists? How often do you make or break them? Why?
Tilden
Tilden wrote:I would think the proto-type would break down steam consists more often or servicing reasons. ... What say the rest of you?
Multiple steam engines were normally only used on severe grades as helpers and so were not considered part of the "consist". They were notrmally removed as soon as the train made it over the grades and sent back down the hill th help the next train. So yes their may be a lot of engine shuffling in a heavy grade terriroty, but it wasn't necessarily at the origin or terminal of the train. now if you are using one operator to control all the engines in a train then you will need to consist the helpers, so as a modeler you will be consisting steamers in and out as you help trains, but that's a "model" thing, not a prototype "thing".
Dave H.
Dave H. Painted side goes up. My website : wnbranch.com
To take your questions in reverse:
There was no such thing as a steam 'consist' in the prototype. Each locomotive had its own crew - engineer/driver (who operates the machinery) and fireman (who handles proper operation of the boiler and provides steam of the required pressure and quantity.) The only physical connection would be the coupler and train air line, just like the connection between box cars. Pre-radio, communication was by whistle signal.
As for diesels, they are frequently 'rearranged' at terminals - especially if a unit needs minor repairs or scheduled maintenance. A malfunctioning unit might be cut out of the mix enroute, but would more likely be taken off line in place and carried along dead to a terminal where proper maintenance facilities are available. (If this idea sounds very much like what you've been doing - it IS very much like what you've been doing.)
Chuck (modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)
Engineer Jeff asked the queation on another thread and I think it deserves its own thread.
So, how aten do you make and break consists. Even though I'm not short locos, I tend to make a consist,run it and break it down after use. This would normally be one operating session or perhaps less if I'm running lots of trains. Why? Well for one thing, so I don't forget the consist number. This is less of a problem since I settled on a system which assigns consist numbers as the first two digits of the lead locomotive. The other main reason? Well for one reason or another I tend to "fiddle" around with individual locos between sessions. If I leave them in a consist (which I just did) I have to break down the consist anyway to access a specific locos.
In general, I would think the proto-type would break down steam consists more often or servicing reasons.
What say the rest of you?