lashing up locomotives

They need to be coupled together.

 

What exactly do you have that doesn't have front couplers? E units maybe? Steam engines? Need more specifics 

any of my steamers.  so I could lash up my diesel to a steam.  I have a USRA articulated engine and recently 4-8-4.  too bad.   i figured you had to couple them up. darn! 

You could always try twine...

Ahhhh...using that word: Lash-up!

 

That's bound to get someone's "goat" on this forum, HuH? HuH?

I had done this hook-up that work pretty well a few years ago. 



Weaver Pennsy Consolidation and Mikado.  Both have been converted to EOB drive systems.
There are "claws" that can be installed in place of the scale couplers on some locomotives.

On the club modular layout, I have MU'd consists on opposite sides of the layout. This allowed me to control both concurrently. Eventually, one catches the other. It's still fun to do.

 

I have several steamers that were purchased used and the dummy couplers were retained by the original owner. It would be nice to have a source for dummies.

 

You can run a steamer backwards at the tail of the train with lights and sound turned off. It gives the illusion that it is operating dead-in-tow. Another option is to plant a diesel in consist behind your steamer as a "helper" for your railfan trips.

 

Gilly

Mike I cant resist.  That is a beautiful calendar in the sky!  Where is the mountain?  G

 

 

 

Chris,

 

It sounds like you have Post War style steamers; these had non-working cast in front couplers that are not replaceable.  Many modern steamers have small (scale) removable front couplers that can be replaced with the Lionel type coupler to double head the steamers.

 

Do you run conventional or command?  Running double headed/MU in conventional can be done, but usually both locos need to be locked in forward to prevent problems.  It is easier to run command engines as lash ups with Legacy or DCS.  Engines in TMCC lash ups do not always run well together; works better with the same model engine.

 

Back to post war steamers and their molded in front coupler.  There was a post some years back where someone made a front coupler for a PW engine and they did it without damaging the engine.  Maybe someone can find it for you; I searched but couldn't find it.

 

Ron

Chris,

 

If the speed is close (and it should be), you can run them together without coupling.  I have two hudsons that I double head without coupling them up.  One runs a hair slower and I put that one in the lead.  You can see they are not coupled upon close inspection but it still looks cool seeing two big steamers double headed.

 

When I demonstrate speed control in the shop, I pull a lashup apart and run them around the layout with a constant gap.

 

Dave

 

I would love to know about this.  I have 2 K-line steamers and 3 MTH steamers that all have either no coupler or a tiny molded in coupler that I'd love to be able to change so I could double head them.  I would love to have a MU of my K-Line Big Boy and Allegheny pulling a train together.

The article used a homemade sheet metal piece replacing the front truck. Uses the wheels from the original truck.

 

Al W.

Not any more...

Rats, I waited all day for that?

I thought it was going to be more fun.....

GREAT!  im doing it without a connection.  thanks dave. 

ok, so if the speeds are close.  when you do the lash up feature on the MTH remote, what happens?  you just have the 2 engines on the track, push lash up, then do you select from your menu the engines, and it does its thing with the speed control on both?  whistles and bells will ring together?  Ive never done this, so forgive me! 

 

thanks

Chris

I learned a long time ago that talking to a brick wall was only frustrating and never accomplished anything.  He gave it his best shot.

Ok went into dcs and did the lash up setup wih 2 engines  but I dont know what you do after you set the front and rear engine?  Some help? Thanks

Give it a name and then "D" for done (if I remember correctly I'm  not at layout). Select and start it up.

The standard DCS Manual should have a step by step procedure for Lash Ups. It's easier to go through it step by step with the instructions right in front of you while you're doing it.

Chris,

 

After you pick your engines you have to name the lashup by using the same menu. Go to"name lashup" and enter by pushing the thumbwheel down. This takes you to a numeric & alphabetic screen and you then spell out the name by using the thumbwheel by entering each letter. After you name it, go to the last letter on the screen which is "D" for done and enter that. You should be good to go after that. I hope this helps you.

 

 

Joe B.

 

 

 

It worked thanks  lead engine controls the features.  I didnt go into turning sounds on last engine and smoke yet. Im glad it works!