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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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."
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?"
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.
great to see Perry on our boards again. What a treat.
Amen David.
Dan
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
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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."
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?"
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.
re: Model Railroading question
great to see Perry on our boards again. What a treat.