how many trains can run at one time?

[gregc]

assume you have a 100 operators waiting to run trains, each with his own throttle.

what's the limiting element?

consider the following 90x45' layout or larger?

[jjdamnit]

Hello All,

I'm a "Lone Wolf" modeler so it's just me and one DCC controller.

On my 4'x8' pike I can run one (1) train, a coal drag headed by four (4) GP40s pulling sixteen (16) 34-foot Tyco operating hoppers on the "mainline loop" continuously.

A second train headed by three (3) GP30s pulls eight (8) 34-foot operating hoppers up a 3% grade to the unloading platform. A critter then helps pull the loaded cars though the unloading shed. 

Then a single GP30 from the second train is cut off the head end and pulls the empties down the spiral trestle (helix) to the mainline. The remaining two (2) GP30 back down the 3% grade to receive the empties on a siding.

GE 70- and 44-ton switchers are assigned to the yard that serves coal-fired power plant and receiving dock for the mine. 

A single GP35 works the rock dust loading and unloading area along with switching tankers for the diesel and bunker oil fueling stations.

With practice, I can run the two (2) coal drags simultaneously with a separately controlled critter at the loading shed or run the mainline coal drag while doing switching duties.

Depending on your count that's two (2) to three (3) "trains" running at the same time. I would hesitate to use the word "simultaneous" as sometimes there is a required "break in the action".

For a 4'x8' pike that's a lot of action for one person.

Even though I run DCC at times it feels more like I'm running with DC block control.

Hope this helps.

[BATMAN]

I have had three trains running at a time while building two in the yard. Once I set the speed it would be hours before a conflict would arise. Usually, I will have two going while I am messing around in the yard. If I am working on the layout, I will have my little 4-4-0 with five cars chugging around the layout, I just have to remember it comes by every 5 or 6 minutes.

[dehusman]

A local model railroad often has op sessions with upwards of 20-22 operators going during a session, 15-17 of them are running trains at any given time.

[gmpullman]

gregc

i have my observations.  curious about yours

Occasionally I'll have friends over for some informal "operations". A while back my nephew and his friend visited. They each used a Digitrax DT402 and I was using a third. While having six trains running, two each on eastbound and westbound mains and another pair on my "Bessemer" loop.

I was also busy with moving engines around using several UT4d single throttles in addition while my nephew kept an eye on both his main line trains he was making up another also using a UT utility throttle.

While all this was going on I decided to show them how I was sometimes using an Android tablet with the Engine Driver app loaded talking to Loconet through JMRI.

While JMRI was running I opened the "Show Loconet Activity" screen and there was a constant stream of "packets" being displayed on the PC monitor. 

Fun stuff to witness. We don't do that very often but it is nice to know the capability is there if needed.

Cheers, Ed

[rrinker]

 It also depends on your dfenition of 'running'

If I have an automated mine to tipple tram that runs back and forth, does that count as a 'running' train?

On the layout we used to set up when I was a kid, there was a loop throught he town in the middle, where I could set a trolley running and just let it run around the circle throught he town. Plus, in final form, two nested ovals around the outside, with crossovers connecting them., Most sidings were off the inner loop. If a train was turned on and running around the outer loop while I was actively moving cars with the train on the inner loop, were they both 'running'? We also had a section of track up on the mountain where a Lionel section gang car ran - they reversed themselves when hitting a track bumper, so that was just turned on to an appropriate throttle setting and left going by utself - that one 'running' too?

 If all of those were considered 'running', then on a slightly larger than 4x8 layout, DC control with no cab control wiring of any sort (each loop had it's own power pack, or in the case of the main inner and outer loops, were each a throttle from a dual pack).

 When it comes to DCC - with a Digitrax DT series throttle, I can actually control two locos at a time. Just turn the knob, no recall, or anything like that. I can fire off and leave running, but not under immediate control, many more. With sufficient room, more throttles, and more people, you can run 100 or more. Obviously you need enough boosters to supply the power for those 100+ locos, but other than that, the upper limit tends to be the layout size more than anything. The absolute limit always being more than the realistic limit. Where running 15 trains of 25 cars each might work for a certain layout size, so each train isn't nipping at the previous train's caboose, but they are instead spread out realistically across the layouts in different towns ans switching areas, on that same layout, you COULD run 100 trains of 5 cars each, but they may all be running nose to tail from one end of the main to the other. That's more of a what you CAN run vs what you SHOULD run. 

                                 --Randy

 

[gregc]

of course is depends on the size and design of the layout and amount of equipment.   but does it depend on the number of operators or the participants?

i have my observations.  curious about yours

 

(yes, trying to separate this issue from another thread)