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swhite101 (25 posts)
Apr-30-02, 12:54 PM (EDT) "HO Model Railroading Question" Just wondering apart from using DCC or Unpowered locos, how can wire a layout up to get trains to run with double-headed? I pesume its using two transformers, but won't this supply too much power?Simon Alert Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top
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Subject Author Message Date ID RE: HO Model Railroading Question ssw Apr-30-02 1 RE: HO Model Railroading Question swhite101 May-01-02 4 RE: HO Model Railroading Question ssw May-01-02 5 RE: HO Model Railroading Question swhite101 May-01-02 6 RE: HO Model Railroading Question calr Apr-30-02 2 RE: HO Model Railroading Question ssw Apr-30-02 3

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ssw (153 posts)
Apr-30-02, 01:45 PM (EDT) 1. "RE: HO Model Railroading Question" No, most transformers are capable of putting out enough juice for 2-3 locos. Just be careful you don't run back to back with metal couplers, you'll arc 'n spark! Remove | Alert Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top
swhite101 (25 posts)
May-01-02, 08:59 AM (EDT) 4. "RE: HO Model Railroading Question" Thanks for the advice, haven't had to worry about metal bits before..almost all the stuff we have here in the UK is plastic, but I growed tired of British outline stuff ssw: The power packs I have for use a couple of Gaugemaster transformers, not sure what their output is offhand, as they're stuck at the back of my old layout, each only formerly running one train on one of the two loops. As double-heading is not common in the UK I've never had to worry about it before.Simon Remove | Alert Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top
ssw (153 posts)
May-01-02, 10:49 AM (EDT) 5. "RE: HO Model Railroading Question" Most will put out 2-3 Amps, which is enough to get 2-3 locomotives. You might get a meter and test the track while you have nothing on it, and with 2-3 locos on it and see how many amps you pull. The rating should be somewhere on the pack. Remove | Alert Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top
swhite101 (25 posts)
May-01-02, 12:12 PM (EDT) 6. "RE: HO Model Railroading Question" Thanks,Seems looking round at the websites of UK makers of railroad transformers that they only deliver 1 Amp, or a little more. probably why Double heading isn't normally possible..may have to look to buy from abroad, use two packs or look at regular commercial (i.e. non-railroad ) transformers.Simon Remove | Alert Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top
calr (308 posts)
Apr-30-02, 02:19 PM (EDT) 2. "RE: HO Model Railroading Question" Just put them on the track and run. As one of the posters stated, if the locos have metal frames and metal couplers, they could possibly short out.I used to double up using Atlas locomotives all the time. Those locos were really smooth and matched up to each other well. That brings to mind another caution. The two locomotives should be approximately equally powered or else one of the two is going to do all the work and the other is always going to get pushed or pulled around.
Cal Rasmussen
Beaverton, ORColumbia Gorge Route (10% done) Remove | Alert Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top
ssw (153 posts)
Apr-30-02, 04:07 PM (EDT) 3. "RE: HO Model Railroading Question" Cal's post made me remember another point. Make sure your wheels and track are pretty clean, otherwise they'll jerk around do to intermittent power. (you might get some more arc 'n spark!) Waht pack you using?I use an MRC. Remove | Alert Edit | Reply | Reply With Quote | Top

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