run two legeacy trains on same line

You can run as many Legacy engines on one track as your power will support. Most Legacy engines should run at close to the same speed, however certain models like switchers will run at different speed based on the engine type selected in the CAB2.  For newer Legacy engines, from around 2011 and on, you can run all those engines at once using the ALL ID of "99".

FWIW, I've had five Legacy diesels running at once on a single power district.

thanks john so i should definatly lash the two engins and they will stay a constant distance from each other?

Actually, you can just run them as independent engines.  Doing the lash-up (MU) won't change the running characteristics of the two (or more) engines, it'll just let you control them as one engine.  As I said, certain engines will not react the same to a given speed setting.  Specifically, a switcher will sometimes have a different speed curve than a road engine.  My Legacy SW-7 is such a locomotive.

ok going to mess with it tonight thanks again

Well, depends on what you mean by "legacy", and by "run two trains on one line". If by "legacy" you're referring to the earlier Lionel control system, I'll defer to someone familiar with that system. If instead you mean two engines using conventional control (varying the track voltage by transformer-based throttle to control speed and direction), then the answer is yes, sort of, with a few asterisks.

One method, as you suggest, is to just link and synchronize two similar engines (think A-B or A-A diesel units) so they both pull in the same direction at the same time. I've not personally run my trains in that fashion, but at least in concept it should be fairly straightforward, if a bit fiddly, once you work out the appropriate couplers.

OTOH, if you mean two separate trains, each with its own engine and consist, the answer is still yes, though needing some additional bits and pieces, all to the end of creating some form of block control system.

The very simplest I've seen is the control system I've been experimenting with in order to run two conventional trolleys on the same loop of track:

The system is an adaptation of a twin hand car system put together by Joe Rampolla:

The technology used in Joe's system and adopted in my projects drop-dead simple, though ingenious. Earlier, I had spent some time building an updated version of the early Marx "Twin Train" set, that used a signal-based relay to control two trains on a figure-8 track.

However, if you want to dive even deeper into conventional block control systems, here's an excellent video I just found that details not only the roots of such a system, but all the nuts and bolts you'll need to get into it, based on old-school Lionel components and info:

Good luck!

thanks steve im talking legacy control with legacy engines

@Steve Tyler posted:

Well, depends on what you mean by "legacy", and by "run two trains on one line". If by "legacy" you're referring to the earlier Lionel control system, I'll defer to someone familiar with that system. If instead you mean two engines using conventional control (varying the track voltage by transformer-based throttle to control speed and direction), then the answer is yes, sort of, with a few asterisks.

Actually Steve, Lionel Legacy is the current control system, TMCC is the "earlier" version.

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

Actually Steve, Lionel Legacy is the current control system, TMCC is the "earlier" version.

. . . nicely illustrating that I know absolutely nothing about either!

@Steve Tyler posted:

. . . nicely illustrating that I know absolutely nothing about either!

Another thing. Make sure the Odyssey speed control switch is in the ON position on all engines. Otherwise, this could happen. (Thanks again, gunrunnerjohn .)

what does odyssey control do essentially ?

@mutz posted:

what does odyssey control do essentially ?

It attempts to maintain a set speed based on RPM feedback of the motor.

Hence- the problem- depending on gearing, wheel diameter, slippage- there is very little promise that just because the motor is at a given RPM and even that has some variance, that the actual ground speed is the same.

gotcha   so just run separate and monitor is my best bet

I should have further explained:

Odyssey and cruise or speed control in general-

#1 assumes you are in a command control digital system where a speed is commanded. In other words, while some systems may support limited- keyword there- control in conventional, they work best under digital control.

#2 In order for the concept to even work, the source voltage on the track has to be higher than the DC motor trying to be speed controlled requires for that load and RPM. In other words- head room- extra voltage that the controller can regulate to attempt to vary and maintain a given rpm under load. This is why conventional control is limited- you lack headroom. If the source voltage is determining the speed- as load increases (drag in curves, up grades) there is no headroom voltage for the motor to increase torque to maintain RPM.

#3 Again, because this is RPM based at the motor, and wheel size and gearing come into play, as well as traction and other factors- it's not like a Tesla or other advanced distance following cruise control system where it has a distance of the vehicle in front or back to maintain a distance.

Every year during the Christmas season, I run my two scale Legacy Polar Express engines on the same track for 4-7 hours at a time.  I do not run them in a lash-up because I have found that if the consists they are pulling are not identical, and mine are not, one will slowly gain on the other, so I start at a certain speed step and adjust the engines until they are running as close to the same speed as I can manage.  This may not be an issue if you are talking much shorter running sessions.  The best way to see if the lashup option is good is to put both trains on the track with their full consists and put one engine a track length or so behind the end of the other train, start them up and get up to the speed you want and observe the gap to see if it is noticeably growing or shrinking after 10 minutes of running.  If the gap doesn't change, then the lashup is OK, and if it does change, then it it a matter of just setting one engine to the speed step you want and finding the sweet spot speed step for the second engine.

In either case, you still have to pay attention, because I have had, on occasion, one engine or the other stop for no discernible reason.

Andy

In either case, you still have to pay attention, because I have had, on occasion, one engine or the other stop for no discernible reason.

Sorry I cannot get the "in response" setup to work properly on my iPad. Probably user error.

I have a layout with 16 sections and relays on a loop that allows me to run up to 4 conventional locomotives. Since there are is a substantial hill, there are five different power arrangements. I am making a couple of changes to make it work with two legacy engines with Odyssey 2. I cannot test it with more since I only own 2.  Is this of interest to anyone?

@Larry.PRR posted:

Sorry I cannot get the "in response" setup to work properly on my iPad. Probably user error.

Hover with cursor over gear icon in lower right of a previous post. Then click on "Reply With Quote

@Vernon Barry posted:

Hover with cursor over gear icon in lower right of a previous post. Then click on "Reply With Quote

Thanks Vern! The mechanics of hover are a little different on the iPad, but with persistence, it works.