I tried to search for an answer for the following question but could not find the topic posted. Understand this is coming from a modeler that is just starting out and owns one Conrail caboose for rolling stock. I plan to operate an n scale layout using DC for control. Is it possible to operate two locmotives in consist(???). I did not know if you could rewire an engine or do you have to use a dummy locco. Understand, I am in the early planning stages and have a million questions and this is one of many I can not find. If I need to use dummy locco’s, where would one go about purchasing one? Thanks in advance.
You can, but they have to have the same speeds or otherwise one will be pulling the other enigne. I’m not totally sure on this but I think that’s the way it is.
dekruif
I guess I should have added I want to operate one engine pointing in one direction and one engine pointing another so I can use a run-a-around and travel the other direction without having to use a round house or a five finger crane.
It doesn’t matter which way the engine is pointed it still runs the same way.
dekruif
Thanks for the quick replies. Like I said you will be hard pressed to find a newer modeler than myself.
that’s what we are here for.
we were all newbies at once.
dekruif
Both locos will run in the same geographical direction on DC powered track, but probably not at the same speed, and very possibly one or both will run faster on one direction than in the other.
Quick and dirty way to check if two locos will work together in consist:
- Put both on a single loop of track powered from a single source. Start and run at various speeds. One will probably start to catch up with the other.
- Add cars. Give the faster loco a car or two more. Total number of cars should add up to less than the total length of train you expect to run.
- Run. Move cars from the slower loco to the faster one until they both run at the same speed or the slower loco runs out of cars.
If there are still cars behind the slower loco, the two will consist effectively. Put the faster loco ahead of the slower, and it will automatically end up pulling its share of the train.
Even if they fail the load test on the level, locos should doublehead on grades. If a single loco starts losing traction, the other will take up the slack (literally, if it’s a pusher.) Only if the lead loco is slower, or faster and able to handle the entire train alone, will there be problems.
Chuck (who doubleheads teakettle steam all the time)
I still use regular DC. With DC, all locomotives in a given control block, will move the same direction, no matter which way they face.
Although not strictly required, I only MU locomotives from the same manufacture. That way it’s easier to match their speeds.
Also, you need make sure your throttle has enough horsepower support muliple locomotives. With a quality MRC (my preference) throttle, you should have power to spare.
Nick
The only problem I have run into (HO scale) is that because the locomotives aren’t always running at the same speed that they occasionally uncouple, especially at slower speeds. I’m sure this has as much to do with my trackwork on my current layout as the locomotives, but it’s annoying.
Randy
My layout is N scale and runs on DC. I have an old Atlas 0-8-0 which was converted to a 2-8-0 with Micro Trains conversion kit. It is a nice running engine and pulls well on level track. I have one grade on my layout about 4%. The Atlas won’t pull the hill by itself. I usually run a little 0-4-0 switcher in front of it and, together, they can make it up the hill. The little 0-4-0 by itself is faster than the Atlas at the same throttle setting. If they inadvertantly uncouple, the 0-4-0 shoots ahead of the Atlas!
By putting the faster engine in front, both engines are pulling the train. If the slower engine were in front, the trailing engine would be PUSHING the front loco AND pulling the train. This can lead to derailments as rghammill has noted.
Even locos from the same manufacturer can have different speeds for a given throttle setting. The only way to truly match engine speeds is to use DCC and adjust the CV’s for each engine.
Darrell, quiet…for now
I just ordered two Kato SD70’s and I already have a MRC Tech 4 260. I heard from several people that I would not be dissapointed with the Kato Engines and the power pack was my idea after research. The longest train will be only 25 coalporters, so I hope that the power can handle that.
Thanks for the replies, I am off for 3 weeks to spend some taxpayers money.
MUing locomotives from the same manufacturer does not guarentee that both engines will operate at the same speed unless they are the same models, or at least the same type of locomotive. You would not expect a C-liner to operate at the same speed as a Y6B. If there is a slight difference in the speed of the two locomotives, it may not make any difference which engine is in the lead if the slower engine can match or exceed the speed of the faster engine when the faster engine is pulling a train, particularly if the faster engine simply sits there and spins its’ wheel without being able to move the train at all.
I frequently - and usually - run my N-Scale diesels in three unit lashups. I use the following procedure for determining the order for my locomotives:
Determine the speed of the lokes and set the slowest aside. Couple the fastest locomotive to a cut of cars and begin adding or removing cars - I prefer adding cars but keep in mind that this may necessitate continually separating the two locomotives. Continue this until the fastest locomotive has loaded down to a speed slower than that of the other locomotive currently on the track.
At this point, if you only want a two-unit lashup, then couple these two locomotives together and away you go. If, however, you want a three unit lashup, then put the slowest locomotive (the one which was previously set aside) on the track and begin adding cars to the current two-unit lashup until it is running slower than the single unit. Couple these together and away you go.
In my old HO days I used to double head steamers using these procedures.
It’s a little bit of trial-and-error. I’ve found in HO that Atlas engines tend to run pretty well with each other, as do Kato engines. But the only way to get it perfect (or as close to it as possible) is to go DCC…which by the way wouldn’t be bad idea to do now that you’re starting out, rather than waiting until you have 30 DC engines you need to install decoders in when you do decide to switch. Atlas offers some N engines with DCC decoders factory installed. Precision Craft is even coming out with some N engines with DCC and sound installed. A good started DCC system like a Digitrax Zephyr or something similar isn’t that pricey and is easy to use even for a beginner. (Remember - it’s actually easier to run trains on DCC than DC !!)[:)]
I run, or i did before re building my railroad, multi engine consists, i only have around 15 engines so i know what sort of speed they do, i make sure if at all possible the fastest of the bunch is up front. I am on DC and use a similar power pack made in the UK, i have a 30 car unit coal train as well as loads of other stuff, i tend to limit consists to just two loco’s. I have loco’s made by Proto2000, Broadway limited imports and Athearn. Maybe i’ll go down the DCC route when i get the railroad up and running again, i think i will need it for single line operation with two industrial areas and two staging areas
BTW if I have two engines that pretty much always run together back-to-back, I’ll use dummy couplers between them rather than Kadee’s, seems to make it harder for them to accidently come apart. In HO I use the ones from I think Intermountain?? They’re about the same size as a standard Kadee coupler, but have no moving parts.
I’m in the process of switching to Sergent couplers and I think they’ll have the same effect as the dummy couplers since they couple so tightly.
In my case, one of the sets that often uncouples is a Walthers Trainline FA1/FB1 set. The other is two Lifelike DL-109s. It’s typically on the same areas of the layout, though, so I definitely think the trackwork has something to do with it. It’s being replaced by a new layout in the very near future.
Randy
I model in N scale, using DC control and always run two to three engines in a consist with long trains of 20 to 25 cars. You may encounter problems if you are using engines of different makes where the one tends to run faster and drags the other engine along. This problem persists also when you are running older engines with new ones from the same maker. e.g. Atlas newer engines come with the ‘scale speed’ motors which is slower, less pulling power than their the older models. My advice is test run the various engines you have together and singularly to check their compatibility. This way you can sort out which ones can be paired. Cheers, http://cliffordconceicao3310.fotopic.net/c328807.html
Lets start with basics, the standard for DC (both N and HO) is right hand rule: put your right hand next to the loco with your thumb on top of it. extend your right index finger alongside the loco. If the right rail is positive + the direction of your finger is forward…regardless of the way the loco is facing! Basic! So, yes, you can have multiple units facing either direction and they will all run one way forward until you reverse the polarity!
DCC is different in that with AC there is no polarity and you have to program the CV 29 values to tell the loco which end is front. A little more work but no biggie! jc5729
If just starting out I would strongly recommend going DCC. Consisting works great and there is so much flexibility in operation. Wiring is easier and DCC is the future of MRR. I can understand why one would not want to make the change if they already have lots of DC equipment, wiring, etc. I switched over early in the game and can’t tell you how glad I am that I did it. If you’re going to make the change now would be the time.