What's more fun than running a train?

Very cool Bill!   I haven't tried to run three on a loop by myself, though I sneak in with one with others running on the loop.

 

My personal limit has been four on two loops, two on each on the club modular layout.  I make sure at least three of them have cruise control to minimize the required interaction, and I'm ready on the red button if something happens.  However, and it sounds odd to say this, it's very tiring to try to keep track of four moving pieces that are all around you.  Running trains is supposed to be relaxing, but running many trains gets pretty tense.

 

GRJohn, I agree with you totally. It can be done for short period.
While I was doing it some of the others went to lunch, and I was ever so glad to see them come back so I could relinquish the throttle!

 

I still might try 4 tomorrow, though, at least briefly.  2 Legacy, 2 TMCC with Odyssey.

 

Slow speed is most important.

 

 

You bet Bob, accidents take more time to develop in slow speed!  

 

I normally try to limit myself to one or two at the most, it makes it a lot easier to manage.  If I'm running two on one loop, I only have to keep a close eye on one, if it starts catching up with the other one, I know I have to take action.

I have done two at a time on the Liberty HiRailers modular layouts; slow speed helps and the bigger the layout and lenth of trains also come into play.

 

how big is the layout?

 

Redball342,  layout is 32' x 28.'

I have tried to run 2 on the same loop, the problem I had was thinking, "man this is great"  then real fast the one in the rear is trying to run througt the one in front, so now I run one legacy on one loop and the other on loop 3 , loop2 is conventional and sometimes gets too fast and jumps the track and causes a 3 train pile up.

 

Running trains is a lot of fun.

 

Brent

If you get two or three on a loop, it's real handy to have cruise control on most of them.

 

"What's more fun than running a train?"

 

I am genuinely saddened that you don't remember. 

 

Pete

Bill very cool stuff!!

It's much easier with DCS, since you have a readout in SMPH that is generally consistent between locomotives (except conversions). Just set everything at the same speed and you're good to go. Even with cruise, running multiple trains on one track with TMCC requires paying close attention!

The 4 was a success!  Well, most of the time. Full disclosure requires the mention of a few "nudges."  Overall, though, shorter trains made for fun running of multiple consists. Let's go trackside at the "Geezer Gate Bridge" and watch as 4 Union Pacific freights traverse the outer loop of the 32 x 28 layout.  Alaska RR by MTH takes the inner line.

 

Care to go for five?