HO Locomotive Compatability by Brand

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

Hi everyone,

I need some advice about mixing locomotives on my freight train. My HO-scale UP intermodal train is now able to use my extended long-haul line that runs through a couple rooms, and out into my back yard. (about 7.5 scale miles of main line) There’s several grades that approach 2.5%, and I’d like to run more than 35 car trains, which means I need more than my brother and sister Genesis SD70s to pull the grades. But I don’t want to have a power team full of only SD70s, though I’m very happy with them. I purchased and would like to add my Kato AC4400 to the team, but have never heard for sure, whether or not it is recommended to team locomotives from different manufacturers.

My layout’s not DCC, so it’s not a question of compatibility in that respect. My concern is damage to either of the engines due to the variations in current draw vs. tractive output. It makes no sense to have them fighting each other, or worse yet cause damage to the electrical system.

Can anyone shed some light? On that topic:
-How many powered locos is too many for an HO train?
-Should I look at upgrading my transformer for more than two powered locos? (I did a good job laying tracks, so current drop due to the track length hasn’t been a problem.)

Thanks!

2

The only concern I’d have is matching the speed. If one locomotive can pull all the cars, but you want to add on another one, as long as it’ll help to some small degree in pulling the load you should be O.K.

I for one pulling more current than the other, I wouldn’t worry.

Mark in Utah

3

SAME:
brand
model
production run
will always match up.

Also Same brand’s using same drive:
Proto 1000
Proto 2000 early GP-9,GP-20, GP-30 (A Proto 1000 drive)
most Athearn Blue Box

Everything else trial & error. A 3rd Genesis SD-70/75 might (or might not) match up with you earlier two, but is good probability, and certainly a better bet than buying a different brand.

4

Can anyone shed some light? On that topic:
-How many powered locos is too many for an HO train?
-Should I look at upgrading my transformer for more than two powered locos? (I did a good job laying tracks, so current drop due to the track length hasn’t been a problem.)

Power; you need feeders every 3 to 6 feet, with a 10 or 12 guage bus for the distance you have.

The Kato and Genesis will be fine together.

Too many: ten or fifteen locomotives; the limit is when you start yanking out couplers, which will vary car to car.