Don,
To answer your last sentence, you can run,more than two of anything,on a DC layout,also ABBA’s,the key,lies in the fact,if your power pack,has enough output,to be able,to run,more than two at the same time. A train set power pack,may only be able to run two at the same time. And if you use the Acc. outputs,for lights,switches,etc. that greatly reduce’s,your output.
Cheers, [D]
Frank
Thanks Frank. Power is supplied by an MRC Tech 4 and we don’t use the ACC output as we use caboose industry manual ground throws and nothing is lighted. So there should be ample power for MU’s. I asked about the Kato F units as my Son is really interested in adding a passenger train to his layout. He likes the Santa Fe and Great Northern F3 units so I was thinking for a Christmas gift I would spring for an AB unit and eventually add some of the Kato passenger cars. Seeing as how both A and B units are powered, I want to make sure that they will operate properly. Sounds like they will. Thanks guys!
Happy modeling!
Don.
Don, as Rich said, I am one of “those guys”, running in DC and running several different mfr’s together… currently running an IHC 2-8-2, Mantua 2-8-2 and a Rivarossi 0-8-0 triple-headed on a 30 car freight consist with 3+% grades, 22" curves. It all runs well together, though each one has its own “by itself” speed. Playing around with which one is where occurs to get best results, right now with the IHC in lead, Mantua 2nd and RR 3rd, but that is my layout and in HO.
The biggest thing I think is getting a consist that looks right and performs well together. There is another thread regarding which to put first, faster or slower… I think it depends on your layout and what works and looks good. Experiment and have a good time doing so, it’s all good!
Duane
Sorry, I left out that that was on a Troller Autopulse Momentum 2.5 controller… my bad!
Duane
Don,
With a MRC Tech 4, You will be fine. [Y] Have Fun!
Cheers, [D]
Frank
Don, a few years back, we spent our first retirement winter in a rented condo in Florida, leaving my DCC powered HO scale layout back here in Chicago. I was playing lousy golf and missing my trains, so I started fantasizing about laying down a set of track and running some trains in DC. I was drooling over the prospect of picking up an N scale consist , Kato’s Santa Fe Warbonnet ABBA, and a string of Super Chief cars. I never did it, so if you do, invite me over to run trains with you and your son. Get that Warbonnet set. As Franks says, that MRC Tech 4 can handle all four powered units.
Rich
I can see it now…we two grown adults standing around the layout all antsy and excited begging my Son “Is it my turn yet? When can I operate the train?” [(-D]. Actually I am going with the Santa Fe Warbonnet set. My Son has always loved that paint scheme and I saw yesterday that the Kato cars are widely available. Come Christmas morning he will be really excited! I doubt that I will get any operating time until he goes to bed though…[swg]
Happy modeling!
Don.
Don, don’t spend any time thinking about what to get me for Christmas. When you buy that Santa Fe ABBA Warbonnet, plus the ten passenger car consist, just get a matching set for me. Is it my turn yet???
Merry Christmas
Rich
LOL…I’m on it [swg]!
Don.
Almost all of my DC-powered trains are double-headed due to the numerous grades. As long as locomotives are relatively close in speed, there is little issue, but it is important that the additional loco(s) are actually needed to move the train. It doesn’t matter if the faster loco leads or trails, or even if it’s used as a pusher, but the extra power will work much better if it’s actually needed.
Here’s a video of one such train - while the locos are all Bachmann 2-8-0s, I’ve run trains more than twice as long using various combinations of these locos with Athearn Genesis Mikados and re-motored Athearn switchers, and in various configurations, too - all on the head-end, with multiple pushers and even distributed throughout the train. The grade shown in the video is 2.5%, on multiple curves - the equivalent of 3.44%. I should also mention that any apparent jerkiness is due to my point-and-shoot camera, rather than the locos.
Wayne
It’s bad enough that Wayne torments us with photos of his beautiful layout. [8o|]
Now he wants to torment us further with video. [}:)]
Fortunately, the link is not working for me. [:O]
Rich