i here it both ways that it is ok to run 2 enignes together on the same track to pull stock, and then i here that it is not ok? does anybody know the real answer..... thanks!!
If it is not ok then a lot of us are doing it wrong. I run multiple units all the time. And if you run DCC most throttles have buttons to make MUing the units easy. Where you might have problem is non speed matched engines on DC or DCC track but with DCC it is fairly easy to get them matched, a bit harder on DC since that often involves re-gearing the engine. Running MU is like running real trains, the more you have the more you can pull.
lv4trains i here it both ways that it is ok to run 2 enignes together on the same track to pull stock, and then i here that it is not ok? does anybody know the real answer..... thanks!!
It is not clear to me exactly what you mean. Do you mean hitch one loco to another, as you see on the real railroads? Why have some people implied this is bad....to your understanding?
Or, do you mean having two different trains running on the same circuit of rails? Again, what is the problem likely to be? We all do it all the time. It is a bit more complicated in DC operations, but a piece of cake with DCC operations?
Please clarify for me.
Crandell
If you have sufficient power available to the rails you can run/ MU or even run separatly many multiple engines w/o any trouble. I believe the info you're getting is trying to run two or more locos on an old/ weak "toy" trans/ power pack. Also if you try to run separate trains on the same loop from one controler, unless there is plenty of track and the engines run very consistant in speed, one will over take the other. Beside having enough power available you also need power feeders to the yayout as not to have voltage drops around the track. Most running DC blocks or DCC use 3ft section of flextrack and will solder rail joiners between "some" section and allow feeders to those rails off the bus. If you try to power sectional track from one or 2 places and rely on conductivity through the rail joiners you will definately end up with dead spots or at least a substantial voltage drop away from the feeds. This can be trouble even running just one loco, never mind additional ones.
Modeling B&O- Chessie Bob K. www.ssmrc.org
thanks for the heads up. i have been running them together for some time now and i wasnt sure. thanks!!!
im runnig both engines together coupler to coupler with a techII 1400
If one loco runs a lot faster than the other one at the same throttle setting then the following happen(maybe more):
1. The slower loco tends to slide it's wheels
2. The faster loco tends to spin it's wheels
3. The faster loco can use excessive amps, depending on how well it gets traction.
4. Pushing/pulling excessively aren't good to avoid derailments.
But I run two or three locos together all the time AFTER doing some speed matching(as per previous poster). A lot easier to do with DCC. Some in DC have tried changing gears or motors, even some type of added resistance for a motor to get things to match.
The speed matching will likely never be perfect, you just want them close for the primary speeds you will be running. And that brings up another issue, matching can be different from a slow crawl to nothch 8 So, you want to at least match for the speeds you primarily run
Richard
thanks for all the help, just needed a firm answer.
lv4trains thanks for all the help, just needed a firm answer.
I'd like to hear the answer to Crandall's question. Where did you hear that this practice wasn't OK?
Connecticut Valley Railroad A Branch of the New York, New Haven, and Hartford
"If you think you can do a thing or think you can't do a thing, you're right." -- Henry Ford
I run like multiple locomotives (same model, manufacturer) without any problems.
Marlon
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