i have a question…is it possible to run a double header with two powered locomotives?
R.Y.A.N:
Definitely. First of all, are you thinking steam or diesel? DC or DCC? If DC, most contemporary power packs will provide more than enough power for double, or even triple heading. If DCC, locomotives can be individually controlled to match speed.
I’m DC and steam, myself, but I have no problem double-heading my locomotives (or even using rear-end helpers). In my case, it’s a matter of ‘pairing’ locomotives that run relatively the same within their given speed ranges, driver size and wheel arrangements. For instance, I wouldn’t pair up a high-wheeled 4-6-2 with a low-wheeled 2-8-0 as a helper, but doubleheading a 4-8-2 with a 2-8-2 or 2-10-2 isn’t out of the question. And like wheel arrangements will usually run quite smoothly together.
However, if one loco is a little ‘faster’ at speed than the other, put the faster locomotive on the head end as the ‘helper’ in a double-head arrangement. That way, the locos seem to even out each other much better and you don’t have to worry about the ‘faster’ loco pushing the tender of the ‘slower’ loco into a derailment.
Using DCC, of course, you are able to individually control the speed of each locomotive exactly.
Tom [:)]
Yes. No problem at all.
R.Y.A.N. -
What twhite said. I’m running N scale / DC and mostly diesels. With some steep grades on my layout lashing two engines together is more the norm than the exception. Besides, I think it looks really cool, even if only pulling a few cars [8D]
As twhite said, odds are one engine will be faster than the other, so put that one in lead, so it’s pulling not pushing. They’ll fight each other, but seems to work pretty well for me.
Archer
Positively. I do it all the time, two and sometimes three locos.
Absolutely!
doubleheading is one of the most enjoyable parts of running my steam era layout. helpers are added at the base of the hill whenever there are more than 8 cars on the drawbar, helpers are removed at the top of the grade and return light to the bottom of the hill. I (still) use dynatrol (a pre DCC command control system.) The usual helper is a 4-6-0, but road engines include both 4-6-0s and 2-8-0s, which run at different speeds, so running the helper job requires some skill and teamwork.
My locomotives are mostly older brass from the 60s and 70s, so it is important to make sure that the coupler on the pilot is insulated (I also remove the “air hose”) and the coupler on the tender on the helper has to be insulated to prevent shorting.
You can double head or just as much fun is doubling the hills. Except to the prototype guys. Doubling hills can be a pain. What is really fun is a double header of big steam up front of 80 or more hoppers being pushed by 3 more in front of the cabin up the big hill. Add sound to all this and its better than a juicy Prime rib.
Pete
Every once in awhile I’ll run 4 or 5 loco’s pulling a long freight train at the shows I attend.
Double head steam with steam and steam with diesel-hydraulic as necessary. As for multiple powered diesel-electric units, just punch ‘consisting’ into the search box on the Electronics and DCC forum and settle back for a long evening’s reading.
My coal hauler has been deliberately designed to REQUIRE double-heading on any train with more than two loaded cars. Of course, the locomotives are 0-6-0T-kettles, but a full-length train might require three of them, 2 up front plus a pusher.
As for steam with diesel-hydraulic, my longest passenger train might require help when the mail load gets heavy. The road engine is a D51 class B-2-B diesel-hydraulic, and the usual hill helper is a C12 class 2-6-2T. Passenger trains get helped from the front, freights get a push from the same locomotive.
The prototype didn’t like the expense of double-heading steam, which is why articulated locomotives were popular on routes where trains and grades were both heavy. When necessary, they did double-head, or triple-head, or…
I recall seeing a pre-WWI photo of a Pennsy freight attacking the Horseshoe with, IIRC, five light 2-8-0s on the point!
Chuck (Modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)
Don’t overlook the wonder of mid-train helpers. I wish I could have seen four to a half-dozen locomotives scattered among the train jockeying for positions at water plugs, ala Tehachapi. And the sight of several to a half-dozen helpers coming in a solid consist back to the bottom of the hill would also be something to behold.
Mark