MTH E8 MU/lash up challenges PS3

I have similar issues with paired PS3 locomotives that I don't have when I pair a PS3 and a PS2 locomotive together.  Never could figure it out.  They would work on the test track fine.

Jonathan, thank you.  I am glad misery loves company.  I can't figure it out.  I have 5 new (less than a year old) PS3 E-8s.  I am used to the proverbial "user error." but this one I can't find.

John

For me, it is a pair of VIA Rail F40PHs to pull my GGD Canadian and a pair of Amtrak painted FP45s for my GGD Amtrak El Capitan.  I think perhaps it has to do with the transformer being old as it fluctuates between 0 and 0.1 amp and may be causing some of the issues.  For my GGD Santa Fe El Capitan I pull it often with FP45s and have no problem only one of the units is PS3.

I am running two ZW-L's for the power to my tracks.  I am running the ZW's with the 135's to control lights, blocks etc.  None of that is that that old.  There has to be a gremlin somewhere.

John

Here's the procedure I use when setting up a consist.

1. Position the engines as you want them in the consist.
2. Select and start-up each engine.
3. Turn on (or off) the smoke unit on each engine.
4. Create the "lash-up" as normal.
5. Select and Start-up the "lash-up". The classification lights and number boards should be on for all units; the headlights should operate directionally.
6. Keep the engines on powered track and the "lash-up" should retain its information and can be shut down/started up and operate normally.
7. When done running, delete the "lash-up". I never try starting up a "lash-up" from scratch as the component engines may not read properly.

The lights, etc. should operate properly. I've never had a problem when I follow this procedure, EXCEPT when the consist derails and kills the power. I then have to re-start each engine then re-start the "lash-up".

Matt,

Thank you.  I am going to try what you suggested.  That seems pretty full proof.  I deleted the lash-ups already, that made sense.  I am also going to go back and delete the engines and re-add them.

John

@jbmccormick posted:

Matt,

Thank you.  I am going to try what you suggested.  That seems pretty full proof.  I deleted the lash-ups already, that made sense.  I am also going to go back and delete the engines and re-add them.

John

You're welcome. One thing I forgot to mention is that we have five TIU's on the club layout operating in Super TIU mode, which DOES influence the behavior of consists ("Lash-Ups") if a derailment with loss of power occurs since the consist is set up in the Staging Room on a different TIU from the ones controlling the mainlines in the main layout area. This sometimes causes the non-lead engines to not be found when trying to re-start the consist. That shouldn't be an issue with a single-TIU layout.

Matt,

Thank you for the additional information.  I have 3 TIUs on my layout, also running SUPER TIU.  I appreciate your help.  I will be down with the trains later, and will provide an update..

John