WHO ELSE DOESN'T LIKE DIESEL DUMMIES

(Currently I have no B-units)

B-units are the only diesels that I would consider having that are powerless. Part of my operation is building "trains". I like to move a diesel (GP9) out of a siding to a location. And then moving another diesel to that location. And TMCC MU'ing them. 

I don't like dummies myself. That's one of the things I love about the old K Line ABA E8 units. I own the UP set. All powered. Six motors of coupler ripping hell. I think over 4lbs of pull.

I love the dummies.  I care more about how attractive the trains are, rather than how prototypical they are.  So do my guests, who love to watch them run.  I had 2 conventional SF F-3's from way back.  Picked up the re-make several years ago.  Pristine, gorgeous.   So now I have 3.  Also, just bought the SF Lionchief+ FT.  Looks and runs great.  I am running 3 LCP's on two elevated loops, with two MTH's on one side of the table, and two conventional on the other side.  The ups and downs remain a problem for the conventionals, dummies or not.

My problem is never pulling power.  To pull 20 or more cars, I have to arrange the heavier cars in the front of the consists.  So, for me, it's not the engines that can't handle the weight, it's some of the cars themselves.

I also run 4 MTH's on 2 overhead loops.  The overhead is flat and 8 inches from the ceiling.   All four of mine can easily pull 30 or more cars.  Only one of them has four motors, with two in the dummy.  I do limit those to 20 cars or less for the same reason as above.

Jerry

I too love Dummies. Dummies allow me to install a full cab interior besides adding the LED Headlights, Led Marker lights and an MRC AC sounder with a big 50mm speaker. So far I have collected most of the MTH Premier Dummy PRR and Conrail units.

I love dummies as well.   I use them all the time.  Typically, if I have a locomotive I like, I'll buy a dummy to match.

A diesel without a dummy is just pulling a local freight or yard switching.  Now if you want to talk about dummies with crew figures installed (and facing the back of the train as a result), we can have a conversation.

What, me worry?

Being a more steamy kind of guy (we only need one locomotive to pull a train!), the diesel dummy thing does not come up that often, but it does occasionally.

I don't "like" dummies, but I have no problem with them, and they can add visually to a consist if that lotsa-locos look is what you're attempting.

I have been known to move one powered truck from a 2-motor A into a no-motor A (B would do, too), add a tether and therefore have no dummies. I did this once. Liked the result (I was going to tether them anyway, as I added TMCC and headlight/e-coupler control to the second unit - so why not move the motor truck, too?).

I like this "distributed motor" approach; will probably do it again.

My freelance streamlined switchers (WBB 027 FA-2's). Both powered (1 motor each; front truck); tether; drawbar; ERR Cruise Commander/Alco Railsounds; headlight/e-coupler both ends. Not really hard to do - mostly patience. No dummy here.

How bout steam with diesel dummies? 

Dummies, love them.  Inexpensive to purchase.  When just sitting on the layout you can't tell the difference.  Adds to a consist without consuming track power.  Have never blown a motor or circuit board on one.

In the video only the lead is powered.

Regards, Rick

To me a lot of the post war alco's just don't look right with out another unit behind it, so to me the dummies on them look natural. With that said take a PA-1 and put a PB-1 behind it and that's aw-some just love the look of all that engine. Give me a A-B-A or A-B-B-A any day love the look. 

Most of my trains are just on shelves for display so for actual pulling power of the post war alco's not that sure. The only alco "A" unit I have with out a dummy A or B behind it, is my Marine Corps A unit, The dummy is out of my range in $$$. 

I am late in entering this thread, however, I agree to a major extent, dummies are just that, Dummies. The ones offered early on had no operating couplers with TMCC/Legacy and no directional lighting. The only Dummy I like and still really do, is the CSX AC6000 Super Bass, 610, as it really adds depth and great sound to the lash up. I call that Lash Up, Rolling Thunder.

So, if Lionel, or MTH, Or Atlas O, would add the directional lighting, sound, (Bass), smoke, crew talk, Working couplers, etc. Then the story would say , Wow, Do I Love My Diesel Dummies!!!

Enjoy Labor Day!!!!

I'm a big fan of dummies. I think about them as force multipliers or train extenders.

Own several Atlas non powered units.

Those of us in this hobby constrained by a budget, dummies provide a nice prototypical option. I have several on the Rio Grande switching layout. 

Here are two of my dummies. They can add a lot to a trains look. Milwaukee ran so many different diesels I couldn't keep up with them without dummies. I do have a Alco powere unit but with the FM such a great puller I don't need it all that much. Don