Hi,
I am in the process of expanding my loco roster and have a question: Do any of you guys run Dash-9’s/SD-45’s in a consist with SD70’s/SD40’s? I would really like to mix the manufacturers. Which company usually runs faster? Is the difference significant?
Thanks,
David
David
because of the gearing, and the motor draw , the only time I mix co. is by making one a dummy. Most Aristo Engines pull great , thus you don’t need that many powered units. And NO they don’t make dummies.
Its very easy to open a USAT motor block and remove the worm gear and simple turn off the motor.
hope this helps.
You probably shouldn’t run them together but they look so good together sometimes . I have been doing it off and on for three years now and …knock on wood…no problems yet . 
Has anyone attempted to put aristo power blocks under a usa loco or the other way around?
See Aristo forum, look under scratchbuilders forum
Nice photo Mike
In his article in the magazine Jens Bang mentioned he put USA power blocks under his aristo locos as he doesn’t like the aristo gears with trains of over 20 cars.
Have you thought about fitting a decoder and using it to speed match to make different makes compatible? (this works on DC track voltage as well and would work out cheaper than remotoring and regearing for several locos)
If you are getting several locos going DCC would be an advantage for running consists and decoders like massoth, Zimo, LGB (MTS3) etc will work on conventional DC and DCC.
Paul
It is definitely an option I will investigate more. I am not in the financial position to buy anything right now any way, I was just planning for the future.
Both are very good companies and I own equipment from both. I also run the two together frequently without a hitch.