Trains.com

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

Speed matching locomotives

1020 views
2 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    December 2010
  • 85 posts
Speed matching locomotives
Posted by wyldmanr8cer on Sunday, February 20, 2011 7:04 PM

I am new to DCC and have an NCE system and have installed non-sound decoders in most of my SD40T-2's, etc, etc. Will speed matching these units keep their slack stretched and prevent them from coming un-coupled in curves and turnouts or is there something else I should do? I have installed #5 Kadee couplers on all of my units except for the Intermountain GEVO's that came with kadees. thanks for everyones help!!!!

Tags: Athearn , DCC , HO , MU
  • Member since
    February 2002
  • From: Reading, PA
  • 30,002 posts
Posted by rrinker on Sunday, February 20, 2011 7:16 PM

 There's always goign to be some speed variation no matter how many days you take trying to fine tune the runnign speeds. All you really need to do is get them close, they do NOT have to be absolutely micrometer perfect. They shouldn't come uncoupled unless you have fixed magnets on the curves of your mainline - which I wouldn;t recommentd for this very reason. If they do uncouple if the lead unit falters, check your coupler height and make sure that both couplers are free to move to either side and spring back to center properly. Kadee couplers should not be coming apart due to slack compression where there is no magent to actually move them apart. If they did that my whole train would come apart every tme I stopped it. Or tried to back up.

                                --Randy


Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's

 

Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.

  • Member since
    May 2008
  • 4,612 posts
Posted by Hamltnblue on Sunday, February 20, 2011 8:00 PM

Also rule of thumb is to try to keep the slightly faster loco in front on the consist.

Springfield PA

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

Users Online

There are no community member online

Search the Community

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Model Railroader Newsletter See all
Sign up for our FREE e-newsletter and get model railroad news in your inbox!