I was watching the video of David’s PW trains running and noticed he was running 2 trains on the same track at the same time. “Nice video and layout by the way.” I tried this with 2 PW 1957 202 ALCOs but one outruns the other. What is the trick to make them run at the same rate? I thought the Lionel motors were made to pull at the same rate. I run two 218s in a ABBA configuration. Are they fighting each other and I don’t know it. What about engines with two motors?
Its funny that this question should pop up today. I too watched Dav’e video, and only this morning when I logged on had the same question. Great question. The other question I was think about is how he is powering the three loops. I see 2 LW transformers, and that is good for 2 loops, and how about the third. Also, are the LWs adequate for 2 trains? I have used LWs many times, but as the load grows, I can smeel the heat in the air. Great video’s and layout Dave.
Thanks for the compliments. You can control the speed of 2 trains somewhat by changing how many and what type of cars are being used. The faster train should have more cars or heavier cars than the slower train. Here is the basic circuit idea that I use to operate 2 trains on one track. This circuit will automatically stop the faster train if it approaches to close to the slower one. The trolley is on a 3rd loop and is powered by a basic Lionel 1025 Transformer. Each loop has its own LW transformer and I have had no problems running 2 trains and some accessories. I have had no transformer overheating problems even when I run the trains for over an hour. Each engine uses about 2 amps each and the accessory lights use another 2 amps or so for a total of about 6 amps per LW transformer.
Here is the basic circuit idea that I use to operate 2 trains on one track. This circuit will automatically stop the faster train if it approaches to close to the slower one.
If you would like to view my video with 2 mainline loops with 4 trains running, here it is again.
What book did you get this information out of? looks like there is good information in it. I have the Greenberg’s 1945-1969 operation and repair book but do not see it in there.
The info is in Lionel Train and Accassory Manual (blue) and the Lionel train book (black) both are on ebay occasionally. I haven’t looked at Amazon. I also want to do this in the future. I hear the best place for AC relays is Scott’s Odd’s n Ends.
Re: Trolly; I want to add one to my layout. Can you te3ll me what I do to get an auto stop at one end and a reverse back to point ? Is it bhardware or wiring, or is it in those bumpers?
How would I wire the Lionel 153 IR Controller? I read the previous posts but I’m not sure how to wire the whole operation. Any help would be appreciated. Thank you.
Check out www.Dallee.com and go to the wiring diagrams. There are 72 pages of electronic diagrams that you get really fancy convention operation. I plan to install a single loop, with one passing siding. There will be three trains running automatically, stopping and going, and throwing the switches automatically. Sounds like fun.
You could put a potentiometer in one of the trains to ‘trim’ it to the same speed…resistors can be used, but do not adjust. (You would have to do trial and error with fixed resistors.)
Here’s an old trick for running completely separated trains. The loop is broken electrically into blocks with fiber pins. What happens, the faster train starts to catch up, but when it gets too close, it hits a contactor and stops the power on that block. The power starts again once the slower train passes a pre-defined area running over another contactor flipping the power on again. Things to watch out for…length of the trains, good contact, distance between contactors, weight of cars on the contactor and both engines need put into the forward only position for this to work. There has been articles of using relays instead of contactors, which does work more reliably.
You can do the same thing with a cross over (figure 8), but make sure the cross over has separated power on each opposing rail to keep your block power separated. This looks really neat, the faster engine stops and waits for the slower one to pass by first. Get’s the attention of kids big time.
Check out the Greenberg layout wiring books, they have a ton of nifty information.
(10 ohms, 115 watts). You can also use a rheostat, which is probably what you’re thinking about when you write “potentiometer”; but a true potentiometer circuit will waste a lot of power. In any case, an adjustable resistor will take a lot less space than a rheostat or potentiometer.
I almost hate to suggest this, but maybe it’s time to consider command/control, you can run multiple trains on one block, and you can also do so from a hand-held controller.
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