Lash ups

Paulzo posted:

How do you build a lash up with a B unit?

What manufacturer, i.e Lionel (Legacy/TMCC) or MTH (DCS)???????

By the way, each manufacturer has such information in their owner manuals.

First, you buy some rope... 

Paulzo posted:

How do you build a lash up with a B unit?

If it's MTH DCS I just stick the B unit between the A units and run them.  Sometimes I have the correct MTH B unit for the A unit, which I then connect so the back coupler works, sometimes I run a Lionel B unit between two MTH A units. 

Thank you Rich, very funny.

Some of us are fairly new to this hobby and don’t have the experience that a “big time” magazine CEO has.

You guys always say you want new comers to the hobby but in my experience I find so many people that are elitist and smug.

This is a model train hobby, get over yourself Rich.

Paulzo posted:

Thank you Rich, very funny.

Some of us are fairly new to this hobby and don’t have the experience that a “big time” magazine CEO has.

You guys always say you want new comers to the hobby but in my experience I find so many people that are elitist and smug.

This is a model train hobby, get over yourself Rich.

OK, you had your jab, now,,,,,,,,,,,,,,have you read your instruction manuals, for either Lionel Legacy/TMCC or MTH DCS? You still haven't indicated which manufacturer's models you are asking about.

I was not even sure that you needed DCS or Legacy to perform a lash up. I am asking for info on how this is done.

Paulzo posted:

I was not even sure that you needed DCS or Legacy to perform a lash up. I am asking for info on how this is done.

Sorry but, "lash up" is a term used in ONLY command control, such as Lionel Legacy/TMCC or MTH DCS. If you are running in conventional, then there really is no such thing as "lash up", as any and all powered units simply respond to your transformer's throttle voltage to the track.

Thank you Rich

I attended a train show about a year ago and a a guy that was in a club told me there was a way to do this in the conventional mode and that’s why I’m confused.

It sounds as if you're a conventional operator.

If you had a command control system such as DCS, Legacy, TMCC, or DCC, each system provides specific instructions regarding how to combine 2 or more individual engines into what is commonly called a "lashup" or, more formally, an "MU" (for Multiple Units).

However, if you're a conventional operator that doesn't use command control, simply couple the multiple engines together and see how well they run as a single unit. Note that all engines should be facing forward (the direction in which they normally start up) when coupled together.

You should, first, ensure that each engine runs at about the same speed for a given voltage and also ensure that you have a transformer that can deliver enough current (not voltage) to satisfy the draw from the multiple engines, as well as illuminated cars and anything else that is operating using track power.

I'm a command control operator myself, however, I expect that other conventional operators will chime in with their "dos and don'ts" as regards conventional lashup operation.

Paulzo posted:

Thank you Rich

I attended a train show about a year ago and a a guy that was in a club told me there was a way to do this in the conventional mode and that’s why I’m confused.

 

Typically you would lock each engines directional units to the direction of travel you want.  This prevents 1 or more of them starting in the wrong direction from the others.  Not always the best choice given you may want to reverse the train but safer.  Once that is done, you hope that they are very close in speed, start up voltages, and so forth. This is much harder with older engines than modern motive power.

The nice thing about command is most units usually travel at the same speeds for a given setting on the remote and typically have a similar curve for throttle.  

I won't say it can't be dome in conventional but it proves to be tricky.  The only way to see if it will work is to give it a try.

Paulzo,

    I am not a MTH expert so I maybe wrong on some of my assumptions. The issue with using a non-powered Lionel B unit in your MU (lash up) is if it is a Proto 2 or maybe an early proto 3 that has a tether that goes between the units to connect the MTH units together so both powered A units go in the correct directions when the A units are back to back (as they should be ). The Lionel B unit would not have a tether so your rear A unit would not know what direction to run in. This would be in both conventional and DCS MTH operation. MTH's newer F, FA, E units no longer use a tether so if you have two powered A units you need to set them up in a "lash up" changing the direction of start up for the rear A unit. In this case you could use a Lionel Dummy B unit as it does not care about direction. If you are running two powered Lionel A units you can also use a MTH non powered in the lash up as again it is a dummy.

   Hope this helps.

JohnB

John B

That helps a lot. Thank you so much.

   In laymans terms, and you kind of need the systems for what I think you want, the two engines have a command ID # you give them and the computer taylors efficient power to the pairing and (hopefully, mostly) keeps the e-unit boards in sync. How it is done button wise varies by system.

  In conventional, rail them and go.  Varied performance with one always being slightly stronger, front or rear of the "MU" or double header with the better puller varies too in my experience.(on steam I like the best puller up front to take up slack and so the leading engines tender is not pushed hard on braking causing an accordian like derailment.

Or add a tether to achieve series wiring on two motors; for a more synchronous rpm operation and better creeping speeds.(slower top end per volt too)

I just lock conventional e units in fwd until reverse is needed as they fall out of sync easier.

Thank you Barry and Marty

Both of these postings helped me to understand this process.