How Many Mix Diesels On Your Train Runs

Occasionally

I model the Erie Lackawanna and its processors so I'm obligated to model a mix just about every major locomotive manufacturer in a whole lot of configurations.   I love running a mixture of freight and passenger paint schemes of Erie , Lackawanna and EL in consists. I even get to mix it up with the D&H of the Dereco/N&W  days.  These are the consists that I remember as a youngster, and when my sons were youngsters as well, and living along the Scranton division. What fun!   For that reason I have accumulated quite a few non-powered units (A&B cabs, Es & Fs, and  hood units) so that I don't have to worry about mixing TMCC or DCS in a consist. If you have seen a photo of EL trains with a mix of power, I can imitate it.  It always raises questions about my eclectic mix of power from visitors to our club layout and I get to teach a history lesson....one of the reasons I am a model railroader.  I love it. 

Is only one engine powered and the rest dummies? If not, do u not run into issues with trailing engine(s) pushing the lead engine or do you somehow sync the power? (Sorry, may be a stupid question)

Nothing is a stupid question on this forum. Yes, the only engine powered is the K-line Trainmaster. When I run multiple engines I use the same make of engines. I have (I think) five or six Trainmasters made by K-line. Also I have powered Alco's built by Atlas. It makes life easy. Aloha my friend. Don

Run them if you got them.

2 powered engines and others are dummies.

Here's one example......

Peter

Found another (going back some years).....

Peter

Ottawa_Marc posted:

Is only one engine powered and the rest dummies? If not, do u not run into issues with trailing engine(s) pushing the lead engine or do you somehow sync the power? (Sorry, may be a stupid question)

With recent technology model train operators can now enjoy multiple powered units in front, middle, and end of trains - all powered.  This is just like the real trains.  Lionel Legacy engines, TMCC, ERR upgrades, and MTH (and others) are able to support this by setting up a "train" where all locos are responding to the controller simultaneously.  Front multi-powered locos are possible in transformer controlled system but the locos need to be similar in configuration (motors and gear ratios) to prevent push-pull kicking and bucking. 

Here’s a video I did a while ago...

Atlas GP35, Lionel GP30 & non-powered MTH GP35.

As close as I come is to run an RS-1 behind and RS-3 but they are both PRR. 

scale rail posted:

The Milwaukee Road used anything and everything to pull trains. Didn't matter if it was an FM, Alco or GM. I do the same. This shot is with a FM at point, Alco and Baldwin. How many of you guys do the same. Let's see pictures. Don

Hope you got a crew in that Baldwin.  Baldwin's pneumatic MU system was incompatible with EMD's, Alco's and FM's electrical MU.

Rusty

CBS072 posted:

Run them if you got them.

2 powered engines and others are dummies.

Like the scene!

Dave

CentralFan1976 posted:

Here’s a video I did a while ago...

Atlas GP35, Lionel GP30, non-powered MTH GP35 & GP40. 

Great vid! I rolled this back a few times but only see three units but your entry says there are four. 

Dave

luvindemtrains posted:

CentralFan1976 posted:

Here’s a video I did a while ago...

Atlas GP35, Lionel GP30, non-powered MTH GP35 & GP40. 

Great vid! I rolled this back a few times but only see three units but your entry says there are four. 

Dave

Good call!

Must have been before I got the GP40!

I could hog this post. I like to run mixes of diesels or anything I have. I have done it nearly every session. Usually most are modern models. I'll throw a steamer with some diesels for fun too.

Here's one (modern ) outside that is my favorite to watch.

here's another modern mix with a mid-engine helper diesel:

I really didn't fully notice until now that my consists don't have the same era engines as your post. There are many models I have skipped over. I never bought any RS units for example. They don't appeal to me. I did start purchasing many mid-era engines to fill in the missing years of my collection. There are some F unit sets that I run on their own without mixing into other consists.

A typical early Penn Central consist...find whatever runs and put it on the front of a train.  Hopefully, at least a couple of units will survive the trip.

K-Line EMD GP38, Atlas Trainman GE U23B, MTH Alco RS-27 (converted to TMCC), Williams EMD F3 (non-powered) and Lionel EMD GP35 (non-powered)

Tom

I just received my Lionel Penn Central U33C.  After the shake down run I MUed it with my SD45 and a GP35 for a full blown test run.

Tom

Great photo, ScaleRail. It's a handy practice for CPR modelers too. 

I love the backdrops and and scenery in the above photos.

Tom Densel posted:

A typical early Penn Central consist...find whatever runs and put it on the front of a train.  Hopefully, at least a couple of units will survive the trip.

K-Line EMD GP38, Atlas Trainman GE U23B, MTH Alco RS-27 (converted to TMCC), Williams EMD F3 (non-powered) and Lionel EMD GP35 (non-powered)

Tom

You got the look right. DIR-TAY!

Yea Arnold, someone did some nice modeling there. Almost looks real! Don

I mix steam, diesels, and electrics.  I don't care if the roads or manufactures (Not of the models, but of the prototype locomotives.) match or not.  I just like running trains, and make consists on how I feel that day.

This is my only "mixed" diesel set. Yes I know that Baldwins and FMs couldn't be MU'ed but, hey, count the number of rails........

 It occurred to me that I had intended to mix a couple of diesels some time ago in my one gauge stuff. I had bought a lonely SF F7 that doesn't pull much on it's own. I have sets with 2 A-A powered units that pull decently. I figured someday I'd either pair it up with something else, or even convert it to a matching MP15AC to pair with my other scratch built one.

 A long time later I found a lonely SF PA unit that has the slave board inside. I didn't have any PA's so I didn't know that they wouldn't pair up due to different wiring. I still figured someday, I could rewire it to slave to the F7 above, or even install a spare PS2 board. They both have sat here ever since and only the F7 got run once or twice. I had the slave PA apart and never moved forward.

 This post reminded me of the situation and I at least, put the slave PA back together to test with another PA set that I got later on. Then I can see if the stock slave board works before making a new decision.

So thanks for reminding me of one more "to do" thing on my list. I still would like to pair the WB SF F7 lead unit with the WB SF PA slave. I think they'll make an interesting pair and should pull very well together whenever I get the job done!

 (I'll probably also swap out that front pilot on the F7 with that huge hole! Yuck)

With one exception, I do not have dummies on my late 40s layout.  Everything has power AND sound.  My one exception is a B unit with sound only.  This results in very few of my upgraded TMCC diesels being able to run together.   Most have noticeably different speeds at the same speed step.

This topic has got me interested in running two or all three of my RailKing Scale DCS switchers together.  They are an EMD SW-1, a FM H10-44, and a Baldwin VO-1000 (yes, I know early Baldwins did not MU with other brands).  Not sure what I'll pull but it should be fun.

I do have three DCS road engines in bicentennial schemes I have only used as helpers with my DCS GS4 AFT steamer pulling my AFT cars.  Maybe next 4th of July when I bring them out I'll try running them together.

CBS072 posted:

Run them if you got them.

2 powered engines and others are dummies.

Nice assortment! And colorful too:-)