I have never done this before but. I only display my Models because I have no layout to run them. so. Will a Kato SD70MAC & an Athearn SD75M run well together on a layout or should they be ran seporate? Kato to Kato. Athearn to Athearn and not Kato&Athearn. If you know what I mean. Any advice?
Thanks. BNSFrailfan.
It is a regular practice to run similar model locos together in consists as they generally will have similar performances.Even within the same manufacturer’s models,you may have quite different performances depending of the intended use of the models.Big freight haulers will be much slower than a high speed passenger train loco in scale models also.
The only way you have to know is to test both your locos on the same track and give them throttle.Minor acceleration and speed differences are acceptable.Other than this,prolonged use will cause premature wear and motor overheating.
IF you do run different locos that run at varing speeds, place the faster loco 2nd so that it is doing the work of pulling the train. The lead or slower one will just go along for the ride until it is needed on o grade or turn. Experimenting with the units or adjusting CVs for DCC is what’s need for a good running consist.
Bob K.
BNSFFan,
I was in the same boat with running consists. Take your engines and pace them with each other to see which ones are faster. I have to Athearn GP60M RTR’s. Exact except road numbers, and the one is always a bit faster. See he get the second spot. Good luck!
john k
IN GENERAL run Kato’s with Kato’s and Athearn’s with Athearn’s.
Reason is maufacturer’s tend to ‘share’ part’s among their models. Not always true because today’s 'Manufacturer’s are mostly ‘Importers’ using more than one factory.
the genesis and the kato should run fine together as the genesis uses almost the same drive as the kato. Athearn just changed it just enough as to not violate the copyright
GOOD CASE IN POINT.
STEWART 'F’s use German motors.
GENESIS 'F’s use Chinese motor’s.
Both supposedly use copies of KATO’s drive. So why do The STEWART’S run slightly better? I have multiples of both.
HERE’s A ‘TOUGHY’:
PROTO 1000 literally copied the ATHEARN 'Blue Box engine. So why does the P1000 run so much better on less current? - unless of course you like ‘jerky’ 5 volt starts and lighted cabs, and there are some adherent’s of ‘faster is better’.
If you are using DCC, it’s not too tough to get locos of any make to run together.
I use custom speed curves and put the two locos on parallel tracks. I crack the throttle and note which one moves first, move to 1/4 throttle, note who’s ahead, 1/2 throttle, 3/4 throttle, and full throttle, noting who runs fastest each time.
With DCC speed curves, kick start, and forward/reverse trim settings, I can get the locos so they perform very similar and will run in a consist together well.
I prefer to use a reference locomotive that I match all my locos too, the theory being if they all run similar to the reference loco, I can consist the locos in any combination and be fine.
I always run engines of different manufacteror’s together…it doesn’t hurt a thing…in fact I always try to include an athearn locomotive in any consist because of it’s strong pulling power…it will work…chuck