Hello guys,
I am new to American modelling and I came across a question.
Sometimes I see in the MR mag several coupled loco’s pulling a train
As the prototype uses mutliple locomotives too, I was wondering how you can do that in N scale.
Hi! Welcome to the Forum.
Lots of variables to answer your question…
If you are running a DC layout, then you pretty much have to use similar locos (in performance characteristics) and couple them together to pull your train.
If you are running a DCC layout, then you can either “consist” the locos - which is done via programming - so they run as one loco, or, you can run the locos individually using two or more throttles.
On my layout I tend to hook together similar locos to pull a heavy train, having them respond to a single I.D. number. But sometimes I like to have lesser locos on the front end, and then using a separate throttle pull another loco up to the rear and be a “pusher”.
ENJOY !!!
Pretty much what mobilman said…
Whether HO or N scale, you can usually run 2 or 3 or more loco’s together in DC if they are fairly closly matched for speed. The number you run together is mostly limited by the amount of amperage your power pack can supply. Most can run up to 3 loco’s, an some can run much more.
Also, one advantage of digitial command control (DCC) is it allows you to program loco’s with decoders to start and run at different voltages, which allows you to take two loco’s that may run at very different speeds at the same voltage in DC operation, an reprogram them to match them and allow them to run together in DCC operation!
It is a good idea to check if the locos will “play together” well. Put them on the track, but not coupled together a few inches apart. Test run them at various speeds. If they keep their approxmate distance, they probably will go together OK. If one takes off in relation to the other, they will not work. It is best to start with locos from the same manufacturer, and, if you can, from the same production run.
Thank you very much for your advice. Thank you all!
Not so common now, but very common earlier in the diesel era, was the practice of running one powered unit (usually weighted to the max) with several dummies. That ABBA lashup of F-units might be a powered Varney F3 with three light plastic Globe units trailing behind.
I actually have one locomotive that’s a half-dummy. My Nihon Kokutetsu EH10 is a Bo-Bo+Bo-Bo with two box bodies connected by a permanent drawbar. Only one carbody is powered and weighted. The other is a hollow shell.
Chuck (Modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)