Powering a Non-powered Alco B unit from a powered A unit?

I think the DCDR Triacs are rated at 8 amps.  Give it a shot, the DCDR is not that expensive.  The issue may be how well the 2 units behave together.  May have motors in one unit working harder than the other.

I don't think it would work well if the lead has cruise (ODY).  G

K-Line used to have an A-B-A that was all powered with six motors.  They used a standard DCDR as the motor driver for all six motors.  The only change I'd make is to make sure you have a good heatsink and use thermal compound on the driver triacs and from the heatsink to the frame.  I have some Williams Sharks in the A-B-A configuration, and I have a ERR Cruise Commander running the four motors, so far so good.

Thanks guys, I was hoping for a reassuring answer. The more I look at it, I think it just makes sense to put the one extra motor in the B unit, a lot less engineering that way.

Super flexible wire will ensure the units do not derail, and for a few dollars more you can elect to use a leoco or molex-type connector, which would come in handy if you ever wanted to run just the A unit and/or needed box up the AB set. My guess is all you would need to do is extend the two wires which power the motors in the A unit to the B unit motor(s).

-John

I'd for sure use a connector in the tether, there are many reasons you might want to separate the cars at some point.  Also, if you run a couple of extra wires, you can lights and/or add a speaker for better sound with a speaker in each unit.