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Off Topic/Non-philatelic Disc. : Model Railroading question

 

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larsdog
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APS #220693 ATA#57179

06 Oct 2017
09:08:28pm
I have a simple loop with a single HO engine, 13 freight cars, and a caboose. The engine is a $75-$100 Walthers engine without DCC. I add a freight car each year my son has a birthday. It's getting a bit slower as we add cars. Can I hook up another engine to get things rolling faster? Will they work together? I would get exactly the same engine as last time.

Lars
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michael78651
Members Picture


07 Oct 2017
12:23:14am
re: Model Railroading question

With DC, you can create a consist of locomotives. However, when you do so, it is important to use locomotives from the same manufacturer in consist with each other. This is because of the motor. Different manufacturers use different motors that may not run smoothly with each other.

Also, for the same reason, it is good to know around what year the locomotive that you have was manufactured. Newer and older models may have different motors that might not run well together.

I run multiple DC powered units together all the time, but the consist power is from the same manufacturer. I have not had problems with older or newer models from the same manufacturer having compatibility problems between motors, though there are some minor differences between the motors where one might run a little faster or slower than the other at the same voltage. The little bit of pulling and pushing hasn't caused any problems in my operations.

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ernieinjax
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08 Oct 2017
02:52:27am
re: Model Railroading question

I bought a entry level HO Bachmann DCC set a couple of years ago. Up to that point all I ever had was my Lionel O gauge. I would basically bring it out at Christmas time run it around the tree then put it up till next year. I was amazed at the DCC technology. You can literally do whatever you want to do. Control multiple trains, set them up autonosmly, all kinds of smoke and sound options. It's really cool stuff.

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TuskenRaider
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08 Oct 2017
06:17:26am
re: Model Railroading question

Hi Train Conductors;

I once saw a model ship, an Egyptian galley I think, that the builder had used a model airplane survo motor device to operate the oars of his model galley. How cool is that?

Most of you folks that are into trains, and stamp collecting, are also collecting railroad car cancellations. I find them kind of fun too.

Does your train set-up have a mail car? If so does it have a slot for depositing envelopes in. Does your mail car have parcels that are being shipped my mail? Does your track layout have a post for a leather mail bag to hang on?

If you had a few scale figures, that resemble a postal worker, they could be taken apart and movable joints added to impart realistic movement. You could further add a servo device attached to various body parts that would allow the postal worker to move. If you control that movement carefully, the postal worker could snatch the leather mail pouch off of the post as the train passes by. The servo motor could be triggered by an infra-red led that is hidden on the route just ahead of the mail bag post.

If someone can make a windmill that has an animated guy sawing a log in half, then I think this project would be just as doable and a heck of a lot more fun too.

Just gettin' high
Tusken Raider

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sponthetrona2
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Keep Postal systems alive, buy stamps and mail often

08 Oct 2017
12:13:29pm
re: Model Railroading question

All interesting answers to your question, I've run DC engines together for over 50 years and model maker and engine type help but are NOT necessary. If you run the models you would like to match run them together but separated by a foot. The faster of the two would do better as the second engine in the consists. The coupler type is important here. Horn hooks do not work well with multiple engines. I have run up to eight engines at a time on extremely long consists but have usually added a helper engine somewhere three quarters back in the consist. I have a 10 amp custom built transformer which can handle 5 or more engines, the store bought transformers usually do not like more than three.

Do not be afraid to play around with your consists. I have found that 104 cars can run together, I use KD couplers, on one percent or less grade, however going downhill with long consists is a strain on the couplers. I use a 15' test track with a measured 1% grade to test couplers and engines all the time. Enjoy your trains, sadly with the advent of DCC the cost of model railroading has become prohibitive to the newer hobbiests.

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sponthetrona2
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Keep Postal systems alive, buy stamps and mail often

08 Oct 2017
12:21:32pm
re: Model Railroading question

FOLLOWUP: Keeping DC engines lubricated is VERY important. Once a year I disassemble every locomotive and lubricate and test each one so they will last another 50 years.

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larsdog
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APS #220693 ATA#57179

08 Oct 2017
07:12:22pm
re: Model Railroading question

Great info from everybody!!!

The track is flat, so no worries with grade.

I only add one car per year and my son will be off to college when we get to 50% more cars, so I don't need anything close to 2X. 1.6X should do it.

My transformer is not just a beginner transformer, so it should be able to handle 2 engines. If not, I'll get a different transformer.

I use Kaydee couplers, so no worries there.

I've never oiled the engine, but in the 10 years I have had it, it has probably run a total of about 5 hours. The track is Nickel/Silver and has never been cleaned and there is no track cleaning car attached to the train. It's a 15' x 18' elevated perimeter run with 22" curves in the corners, and there is only one power attachment point to the rails, but the engine seems to run just as fast on the opposite side of the room as it does next to where the power is applied to the rails. I really like the low maintenance aspect. My son no longer runs it for enjoyment. He only shows it off to company on rare occasions.

"The faster of the two would do better as the second engine in the consists."



Would that be true regardless of which one breaks inertia first? I can understand setting up the two engines alone and separately to determine which is a bit faster, but I would have guessed that which one started rolling first as I increased power would matter as well. No? Same question with the first one to stop rolling as I dial down the speed. I do see how the faster engine in the second slot makes more sense with the lead engine helping instead of dragging a slower engine behind it.

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"Expanding your knowledge faster than your collection can save you a few bucks."

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michael78651
Members Picture


08 Oct 2017
09:45:31pm
re: Model Railroading question

Perry - I wouldn't run a Tyco diesel lashed up with a Rapido diesel. I won't work. I think you have to at least have comparable quality manufactured locomotives.

Lars - Your power pack will tell you the amperage rating. If I remember correctly, it is probably at least rated for 2 amps. Newer motors don't pull that much amperage, so running two together should not offer any problems with overheating of your power pack.

Ken -

"Does your train set-up have a mail car? If so does it have a slot for depositing envelopes in. Does your mail car have parcels that are being shipped my mail? Does your track layout have a post for a leather mail bag to hang on?"



My layout operations include express mail trains. Unfortunately, the time period that I model, railway post offices were being phased out, but one of the railroads that I model was still running some.

In HO Scale, I don't think you could even see the slot for the mail drop. An envelope would probably be the same size as a piece of flea poop.

The mail express trains carried regular mail and parcels.

How's this for you answer to your last question? Look carefully between the yellow forklift and the boxcar.

Image Not Found

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sponthetrona2
Members Picture


Keep Postal systems alive, buy stamps and mail often

09 Oct 2017
02:08:20pm
re: Model Railroading question

Haven't seen or used a Tyco in many many years. Although I have a lot of Athearn engines I prefer Kato & Stewart Kato Power. Also had extreme good luck with Atlas engines. The only lash ups I have difficulty with are brass steam and plastic diesels albeit I not much for running steam as I prefer diesels from 1939- 1979, I like the many varieties of locomotives in those eras, aka Southern Pacific, ATSF/Santa Fe, & Union Pacific/Western Pacific railroad operations. I'm more of a modeler than an operator, I prefer prototype engines tan generic. But to each his own when it comes to MRing.

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amsd
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Editor, Seal News; contributor, JuicyHeads

10 Oct 2017
09:53:26am

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re: Model Railroading question

great to see Perry on our boards again. What a treat.

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"Save the USPS, buy stamps; save the hobby, use commemoratives"

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dani20
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10 Oct 2017
11:41:00am
re: Model Railroading question

Amen David.
Dan

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Author/Postings
Members Picture
larsdog

APS #220693 ATA#57179
06 Oct 2017
09:08:28pm

I have a simple loop with a single HO engine, 13 freight cars, and a caboose. The engine is a $75-$100 Walthers engine without DCC. I add a freight car each year my son has a birthday. It's getting a bit slower as we add cars. Can I hook up another engine to get things rolling faster? Will they work together? I would get exactly the same engine as last time.

Lars

Like
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this post

"Expanding your knowledge faster than your collection can save you a few bucks."

www.larsdog.com/stam ...
Members Picture
michael78651

07 Oct 2017
12:23:14am

re: Model Railroading question

With DC, you can create a consist of locomotives. However, when you do so, it is important to use locomotives from the same manufacturer in consist with each other. This is because of the motor. Different manufacturers use different motors that may not run smoothly with each other.

Also, for the same reason, it is good to know around what year the locomotive that you have was manufactured. Newer and older models may have different motors that might not run well together.

I run multiple DC powered units together all the time, but the consist power is from the same manufacturer. I have not had problems with older or newer models from the same manufacturer having compatibility problems between motors, though there are some minor differences between the motors where one might run a little faster or slower than the other at the same voltage. The little bit of pulling and pushing hasn't caused any problems in my operations.

Like 
1 Member
likes this post.
Login to Like.

www.hipstamp.com/sto ...
Members Picture
ernieinjax

08 Oct 2017
02:52:27am

re: Model Railroading question

I bought a entry level HO Bachmann DCC set a couple of years ago. Up to that point all I ever had was my Lionel O gauge. I would basically bring it out at Christmas time run it around the tree then put it up till next year. I was amazed at the DCC technology. You can literally do whatever you want to do. Control multiple trains, set them up autonosmly, all kinds of smoke and sound options. It's really cool stuff.

Like
Login to Like
this post
Members Picture
TuskenRaider

08 Oct 2017
06:17:26am

re: Model Railroading question

Hi Train Conductors;

I once saw a model ship, an Egyptian galley I think, that the builder had used a model airplane survo motor device to operate the oars of his model galley. How cool is that?

Most of you folks that are into trains, and stamp collecting, are also collecting railroad car cancellations. I find them kind of fun too.

Does your train set-up have a mail car? If so does it have a slot for depositing envelopes in. Does your mail car have parcels that are being shipped my mail? Does your track layout have a post for a leather mail bag to hang on?

If you had a few scale figures, that resemble a postal worker, they could be taken apart and movable joints added to impart realistic movement. You could further add a servo device attached to various body parts that would allow the postal worker to move. If you control that movement carefully, the postal worker could snatch the leather mail pouch off of the post as the train passes by. The servo motor could be triggered by an infra-red led that is hidden on the route just ahead of the mail bag post.

If someone can make a windmill that has an animated guy sawing a log in half, then I think this project would be just as doable and a heck of a lot more fun too.

Just gettin' high
Tusken Raider

Like
Login to Like
this post

www.webstore.com/sto ...
Members Picture
sponthetrona2

Keep Postal systems alive, buy stamps and mail often
08 Oct 2017
12:13:29pm

re: Model Railroading question

All interesting answers to your question, I've run DC engines together for over 50 years and model maker and engine type help but are NOT necessary. If you run the models you would like to match run them together but separated by a foot. The faster of the two would do better as the second engine in the consists. The coupler type is important here. Horn hooks do not work well with multiple engines. I have run up to eight engines at a time on extremely long consists but have usually added a helper engine somewhere three quarters back in the consist. I have a 10 amp custom built transformer which can handle 5 or more engines, the store bought transformers usually do not like more than three.

Do not be afraid to play around with your consists. I have found that 104 cars can run together, I use KD couplers, on one percent or less grade, however going downhill with long consists is a strain on the couplers. I use a 15' test track with a measured 1% grade to test couplers and engines all the time. Enjoy your trains, sadly with the advent of DCC the cost of model railroading has become prohibitive to the newer hobbiests.

Like 
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like this post.
Login to Like.
Members Picture
sponthetrona2

Keep Postal systems alive, buy stamps and mail often
08 Oct 2017
12:21:32pm

re: Model Railroading question

FOLLOWUP: Keeping DC engines lubricated is VERY important. Once a year I disassemble every locomotive and lubricate and test each one so they will last another 50 years.

Like
Login to Like
this post
Members Picture
larsdog

APS #220693 ATA#57179
08 Oct 2017
07:12:22pm

re: Model Railroading question

Great info from everybody!!!

The track is flat, so no worries with grade.

I only add one car per year and my son will be off to college when we get to 50% more cars, so I don't need anything close to 2X. 1.6X should do it.

My transformer is not just a beginner transformer, so it should be able to handle 2 engines. If not, I'll get a different transformer.

I use Kaydee couplers, so no worries there.

I've never oiled the engine, but in the 10 years I have had it, it has probably run a total of about 5 hours. The track is Nickel/Silver and has never been cleaned and there is no track cleaning car attached to the train. It's a 15' x 18' elevated perimeter run with 22" curves in the corners, and there is only one power attachment point to the rails, but the engine seems to run just as fast on the opposite side of the room as it does next to where the power is applied to the rails. I really like the low maintenance aspect. My son no longer runs it for enjoyment. He only shows it off to company on rare occasions.

"The faster of the two would do better as the second engine in the consists."



Would that be true regardless of which one breaks inertia first? I can understand setting up the two engines alone and separately to determine which is a bit faster, but I would have guessed that which one started rolling first as I increased power would matter as well. No? Same question with the first one to stop rolling as I dial down the speed. I do see how the faster engine in the second slot makes more sense with the lead engine helping instead of dragging a slower engine behind it.

Like
Login to Like
this post

"Expanding your knowledge faster than your collection can save you a few bucks."

www.larsdog.com/stam ...
Members Picture
michael78651

08 Oct 2017
09:45:31pm

re: Model Railroading question

Perry - I wouldn't run a Tyco diesel lashed up with a Rapido diesel. I won't work. I think you have to at least have comparable quality manufactured locomotives.

Lars - Your power pack will tell you the amperage rating. If I remember correctly, it is probably at least rated for 2 amps. Newer motors don't pull that much amperage, so running two together should not offer any problems with overheating of your power pack.

Ken -

"Does your train set-up have a mail car? If so does it have a slot for depositing envelopes in. Does your mail car have parcels that are being shipped my mail? Does your track layout have a post for a leather mail bag to hang on?"



My layout operations include express mail trains. Unfortunately, the time period that I model, railway post offices were being phased out, but one of the railroads that I model was still running some.

In HO Scale, I don't think you could even see the slot for the mail drop. An envelope would probably be the same size as a piece of flea poop.

The mail express trains carried regular mail and parcels.

How's this for you answer to your last question? Look carefully between the yellow forklift and the boxcar.

Image Not Found

Like 
2 Members
like this post.
Login to Like.

www.hipstamp.com/sto ...
Members Picture
sponthetrona2

Keep Postal systems alive, buy stamps and mail often
09 Oct 2017
02:08:20pm

re: Model Railroading question

Haven't seen or used a Tyco in many many years. Although I have a lot of Athearn engines I prefer Kato & Stewart Kato Power. Also had extreme good luck with Atlas engines. The only lash ups I have difficulty with are brass steam and plastic diesels albeit I not much for running steam as I prefer diesels from 1939- 1979, I like the many varieties of locomotives in those eras, aka Southern Pacific, ATSF/Santa Fe, & Union Pacific/Western Pacific railroad operations. I'm more of a modeler than an operator, I prefer prototype engines tan generic. But to each his own when it comes to MRing.

Like
Login to Like
this post
Members Picture
amsd

Editor, Seal News; contributor, JuicyHeads
10 Oct 2017
09:53:26am

Auctions

re: Model Railroading question

great to see Perry on our boards again. What a treat.

Like
Login to Like
this post

"Save the USPS, buy stamps; save the hobby, use commemoratives"

juicyheads.com/link. ...
Members Picture
dani20

10 Oct 2017
11:41:00am

re: Model Railroading question

Amen David.
Dan

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