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Hi everyone, I need some advice about mixing locomotives on my freight train. My HO-scale UP intermodal train is now able to use my extended long-haul line that runs through a couple rooms, and out into my back yard. (about 7.5 scale miles of main line) There's several grades that approach 2.5%, and I'd like to run more than 35 car trains, which means I need more than my brother and sister Genesis SD70s to pull the grades. But I don't want to have a power team full of only SD70s, though I'm very happy with them. I purchased and would like to add my Kato AC4400 to the team, but have never heard for sure, whether or not it is recommended to team locomotives from different manufacturers. My layout's not DCC, so it's not a question of compatibility in that respect. My concern is damage to either of the engines due to the variations in current draw vs. tractive output. It makes no sense to have them fighting each other, or worse yet cause damage to the electrical system. Can anyone shed some light? On that topic: -How many powered locos is too many for an HO train? -Should I look at upgrading my transformer for more than two powered locos? (I did a good job laying tracks, so current drop due to the track length hasn't been a problem.) Thanks!
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