To (powered) B or Not to (powered) B: That is the Question --

Yellowstone SpecialOGR Forum Member SUPPORTING MEMBERDIGITAL SUBSCRIBER

When I posted in Arnold’s “Show Me Your Longest Trains” thread, I noticed in my video clip, that as the Santa Fe Super Chief was making a slow run-by for the video, it was a little jerky at slow speed. Thinking this was due to dirty track, I got out my track cleaning car and cleaned the track. However, no change, still a little jerky at slow speed.

Then I tested the powered A and powered B separately and yep. They still aren't perfectly synced. The powered B over runs the powered A as shown in this video:

So, I tried the train again without the powered B and no more jerking. I had thought that adding a powered B would take some strain off the powered A. However, the powered A seems to have no problem pulling the trailing unpowered B and unpowered A, along with 7 aluminum cars on level track. These engines are 2007 Lionel TMCC.

By comparison, my UP Powered F7A and powered F7B that Santa delivered for Christmas ARE perfectly synced. These are new Legacy engines and what a difference.

I think I'll be using only the powered A for the Santa Fe Super Chief and keep the powered B for spare parts in case the A ever breaks down, since it's TMCC.

Have any of you ever run across powered A and powered B units in your trains that were not quite in sync? I'm wondering if this is more characteristic of TMCC engines than Legacy ones. I had thought that the 2 powered TMCC units would eventually sync together and even out over time. I've had the powered B for a few weeks now. But it has stayed the same. Oh well.

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1/9/232:45 PM

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c.samOGR Forum Member DIGITAL SUBSCRIBER

That's a significant difference in speed Vern. Can't help but wonder if that can't be adjusted in some way? I have/had the same set and they were pretty close. Hopefully someone more well versed will chime in...

1/9/234:50 PM

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CAPPilotOGR Forum Member SUPPORTING MEMBERDIGITAL SUBSCRIBER

You did not give the product numbers, but I assume the B was manufactured at the same time as the A and they go together. TMCC, unlike Legacy and DCS, was not designed to run in consists/double headed with other TMCC engines unless made as a set. Some do, especially if using the same running gear.

If your engines are part of a set, then something is wrong with one of them. The B takes off quickly, so I would first check the momentum settings. Otherwise, I think it might have a bad board.

1/9/235:54 PM

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Yellowstone SpecialOGR Forum Member SUPPORTING MEMBERDIGITAL SUBSCRIBER

Thank you, Sam and Ron. The TMCC SF F7A is part of Lionel’s ABA set from 2007. The powered F7B was sold as an add-on.

1/9/236:17 PM

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tom21paOGR Forum Member

Maybe the speed steps are different and need to be set to the same. Or the momentum

1/9/237:13 PM

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Ron045OGR Forum Member SUPPORTING MEMBERDIGITAL SUBSCRIBER

I wonder if wiring the B motors is series would slow it down for a close match?

1/9/237:14 PM

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BobbyDOGR Forum Member DIGITAL SUBSCRIBER

@Yellowstone Special posted:
Thank you, Sam and Ron. The TMCC SF F7A is part of Lionel’s ABA set from 2007. The powered F7B was sold as an add-on.

As an add on to that set? Item #?

1/9/237:25 PM

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rplst8OGR Forum Member

I just watched the video. That's a big difference. Definitely something not right with one of them.

1/9/237:33 PM

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gunrunnerjohnOGR Forum Member SUPPORTING MEMBERDIGITAL SUBSCRIBER

@Ron045 posted:
I wonder if wiring the B motors is series would slow it down for a close match?

I suspect they both have Odyssey, so wiring the motors in series is not a good idea. As others have said, there's something significantly wrong there.

1/9/237:36 PM

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tom21paOGR Forum Member

Is the odyssey switch on both in the on position?

1/9/237:42 PM

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gunrunnerjohnOGR Forum Member SUPPORTING MEMBERDIGITAL SUBSCRIBER

@tom21pa posted:
Is the odyssey switch on both in the on position?

Good question, should have mentioned that!

1/9/237:56 PM

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Yellowstone SpecialOGR Forum Member SUPPORTING MEMBERDIGITAL SUBSCRIBER

Hey Tom and John, that was it! The Odyssey switch! The powered A’s was off and the powered B’s was on. Now they are both on and run in sync, just like the new UP Legacy’s do. So, THAT was the problem.

Many thanks to those who responded. This is a great forum. nod