Model Railroad DPU's.

[Anonymous]

Weather 1+1 or 2+1.
Do any of you Modelers run your Trains with DPU's?
Id sure like to see Photo's of them.
How well do the Proto type's stand up to the real thing of today?
Thanks,BNSFrailfan.

[NZRMac]

Please excuse my ignorance, what's a DPU?? . [:I][:D]

Ken

[dave9999]

QUOTE: Originally posted by NZRMac

Please excuse my ignorance, what's a DPU?? . [:I][:D]

Ken

[#ditto] What he said!![:)] Dave

[cspmo]

I think he means distribute power. If it's what he means yes I do, but I don't have a digital camera to take photos of it.

[Anonymous]

DPU is engines that are either in the middle or the end of a train, they are controled by a computer in the lead engines cab. so the DPU's dont need a crew to run them. UP likes to use AC44CTE's for this.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by cspmo

I think he means distribute power. If it's what he means yes I do, but I don't have a digital camera to take photos of it.

Yes you are very correct! DPU stands for Distributed Power Unit. In other words.....It's an un-maned Locomotive that is controled by Radio signals from the lead Locomotive. The DPU is like an extra Pusher to help shove some of the extra load around so the Locomotive up front don't do all of the Pulling. Nowadays,Coal Trains are getting Heaver & much Longer which tend to put alot of stress on the Couplers and the Locomotives.
In other words, If you try to pull a Coal Train with 150 cars (Fully Loaded) more than likely you are gona have a Nuckle break on you Somewhere along the line. it's even worse if you are pulling a hill. No matter what! I have seen it,There are some Trains that are very very long and very heavy. I hope this Helps.
And one thing,The UP&BNSF use alot of DPU Units.
BNSFrailfan.

[Anonymous]

I use DPUs to get my trains up and over the (albeit not very prototypical) 4% uphill grade on my layout. I have a siding at the bottom of the hill where the 2 DPUs are "stored". When a train comes by and starts up the grade, I couple the DPUs on the rear, and they help pu***he train up the hill. At the top, they are uncoupled, and sent back down the hill to wait for the next train.
If you use DPUs with a DCC system, it is MUCH more realistic, but you need to have the speed tables of the DP units set up just right, becuase if they are the least bit too slow or too fast, they can do A LOT more harm, than good.[:(] DCC also lets you have prototypical EOT lighting on you DPUs , which on real railroads, is the headlight (or tail light , which ever end of the unit is facing the end of the train) set to "dim".
Just my 2 cents worth. I could be wrong.[;)]

Sorry, no pics. Kevin

[cspmo]

kevnbety: This is not a DP , but helpers.DPU don't have a crew so they can't uncouple at top of the hill, and return back down the hill.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by kevnbety

I use DPUs to get my trains up and over the (albeit not very prototypical) 4% uphill grade on my layout. I have a siding at the bottom of the hill where the 2 DPUs are "stored". When a train comes by and starts up the grade, I couple the DPUs on the rear, and they help pu***he train up the hill. At the top, they are uncoupled, and sent back down the hill to wait for the next train.
If you use DPUs with a DCC system, it is MUCH more realistic, but you need to have the speed tables of the DP units set up just right, becuase if they are the least bit too slow or too fast, they can do A LOT more harm, than good.[:(] DCC also lets you have prototypical EOT lighting on you DPUs , which on real railroads, is the headlight (or tail light , which ever end of the unit is facing the end of the train) set to "dim".
Just my 2 cents worth. I could be wrong.[;)]

Sorry, no pics. Kevin

And you very correct! Just like last night when a Westbound Hopper Train coming from Cal-juction,Iowa,The rear DPU's Head light is set to dim with out no EOTD.

Oh and one more thing about the DPU.....DPU's work very well with Train Breaking too.
BNSFrailfan.