How Many Diesel Engines Do You Run In Multiple Units?

I usually run at least 3, and sometimes 4 units, all powered.

I've seen a lot of A-B-B-A and A-B-B-B-A F units running together on layouts that look really cool, especially with matching passenger service. Most seem to be 2 or 3 powered units in the mix.

Running modern equipment, we've been running two powered units back to back as they will pull any train we have. 

I run two back to back most times and 3 if available. 

I usually run four motors (two powered units) and one to three dummies. Six motors seem a little harder to coordinate than four.

I typically run at least 3, sometimes 4. But it really all depends on the length of train.

-Eric Siegel

Depends on size of train usually 15 cars per Loco before I add units to the consist

I have only ever run the A-B-A or A-B-B-A consist myself. Of course that was before I got Remotes. See what happens once I get plans done, and get something built. Of course, I'm more of a steam guy, but I do love the F3 Warbonnets.

Bonus points for not using the 'L' word!!!

I like two powered with a dummy on long freights.

I usually run 2 units.     More that that seems to over power the trains, even with 20 cars.     My rule of thumb is if less than 10 cars assign a single unit.   More than that, assign 2 units.   Usually locals run around 10-15 cars and through freights and transfers about 20 cars.     All mine are powered so I have not had the need for 3.   I do have an A-B-A set of Baldwin sharks that I have used on a long coal train.   

The other issue that more than 2 units will not fit on my turntable, and hence block up tracks around the engine terminal.   

I have run three Williams SD90 units in conventional together.  Hence they were not lash, er, MU'ed together!

Usually just two, but I have run as many as four powered units.

Normally between two and four.  One of my favorite freight consists has my ABA sharks on the point and my AA centipedes pushing.  It's way overkill, but I like the look.  For that matter, I like *any* consist with helpers in back.

12,  no just kidding,  usually 2-3 conventional.....video,  an Union Pacific engine move to get them all serviced,    3 williams powered, the rest of them are dummies....

then 2 railking up turbines powered with dummy engine......

This is a few engines MU'd together for a test.

9 engines, 2 powered, 7 dummies (3 of them with sound).

I think I'm going to faint! 14 replies so far and NO ONE has used the L-word!

Maybe there is hope after all...

1- 6 unit all power FEC and CSX, 1- 5 unit 4 power 1 unpowered(hosts a FM transmitter for middle of the room subwoofer) PanAm/ Guilford,  1- 5 unit all power NS and UP and 1-3 engine(2 powered) Guilford/PanAm switching duties.

Video below is not up to date:

Freight engines, three or four. One of the things why I love modeling the Milwaukee Road is they ran anything and everything together. As for Passenger locomotive, mostly A-B or A-A. Seldom a A-B-A set.

Don

OGR Webmaster posted:

I think I'm going to faint! 14 replies so far and NO ONE has used the L-word!

Maybe there is hope after all...

Great. Now you've jinxed it.

Matt, maybe Rich means "Lionel"!

Don

For freights, exactly ONE. No dummies.

Passengers, mostly one, though one train has two*. Most have one dummy, never more than one.

BTW, that "L" thingy isn't in my vocabulary.

*Both engines are on the same channel

2 or 3 is normal for me, however I do like long trains also,  then its 5 up front and 4 on the rear, all power no traction tires. 

clem k posted:

2 or 3 is normal for me, however I do like long trains also,  then its 5 up front and 4 on the rear, all power no traction tires. 

4 on the rear...say whaaaa

Kinda like this one done years ago...

I run 2-4 for through freights. Never more than 2 powered units. I run PRR and NYC F-3s and F-7s, and Baldwin Sharknoses. Typically, ABAs and ABBAs.   

Depends on the size of the layout and the train. 2 to 4, usually 3 with a dmy so it looks like 4.

3-4 always on the point, DP just doesn't appeal to me.

scale rail posted:

Matt, maybe Rich means "Lionel"!

No, there's nothing wrong with that L-word.

It's the other one that's like fingernails on a chalk board...  

Time to sit back and watch some Lash Larue reruns.

Allan

Usually an A-B or an A-B-A but once in a while A-B-B-A.

I run two, three, and 4, depending on the length of the train....

I usually run with 1 powered and a dummy MTH diesel unit for a 20 to 24 car train,   If  I use my weaver SD40-2's I sometimes lock them in forward and run a 20 car coal drag or a 20 car grain train.    Either in BN or BNSF!   I think I have 4 Weaver SD40-2 units.     Due to rules at club Open House I do not run 3 diesel units  as they would limit number of cars I can set up in one of the yards and draw too much amperage.   

I don't usually run MU consists. I think if I would it would top out at 2 powered, that is the maximum I would want to put on my layout. Usually what I end up having is  a steam with a diesel MU'd behind it, like some excursion trains I have seen on the internet. It doesn't really help that I only have at most three diesels to run.