Fast Trains & Slow Trains

Bob,

You need to give us the item numbers of each engine.

The Lionel is MKT TMCC Alco FA-2, 6-38182.  The MTH are T&P Mohawk passenger RK 1114 (I think?) and RK UP 4-8-4, 30-1151-1, Northern Steamer.  The method to my madnes is that I wanted a passenger coal steamer, a 1930-40 diesel, and an oil fed steamer of the same era.

Well, one reason would be the Lionel has speed control, and the MTH 4-8-4 is a straight conventional locomotive.

Are you trying to run these all at the same time on the same track with conventional control?

Running all three on the same track, but not at the same time.  Using conventional control.  Maybe the Lionel should be run with TMCC?  If that's the case, then it seems it would have to be run on a separate layout.  Instructions say it can be run with conventional controls (track).  Maybe I need to put it on the shelf?

One issue with running a cruise control locomotive with conventional is they lose some top-end speed.  That's due to the fact they have to keep some power in reserve to allow them to adjust speed for grades. 

As you have seen, the TMCC locomotive does run under conventional control, but clearly it probably won't be as satisfactory as command operation.

Bob;

The difference is in the reserved power in the Command unit.

That makes it run slower than the conventional units at the same voltage.

There is a mod you can do to slow the conventional units down. 

Get some 10watt or more diodes. Make them up in side by side pairs head to toe like this:

--==|--

--|==--

Put the pairs in series in the wire to the motor.

Each pair will drop 1.6V from the motor power slowing the engine down without reducing track voltage. This keeps the lights burning bright.

For good pictures and detailed examples of this contact DaleH, he has a website showing this and much more.