| Author | Messages | |
Semper Vaporo
1st Class Member
Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Engineer
Posts:1226
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 | | 05/13/2008 2:11 PM |
| In the real (1:1) world of yore, before the MU'ing of Diesels, a few trains ran with many separate crews handling a locomotive each (1, 2 or 3 at the head end, one or two cut into the train somewhere along the length, and another 1, 2 or 3 on the tail end) and they did it by paying close attention to their steed, the present state of the train and the intended state (moving or stopped) as dictated by whistle signals from the lead engine.
The only problem with doing it via remote contolled locos is that the "Engineer" cannot sense in his body the state of the train. There is only the visual sense and no "Seat of the pants" sense. Without the physical feel of things the reaction time to control the loco is very if'fy at best. Each Engineer will have to forego watching the rest of the train to "see" (and enjoy/celebrate) the record being broken, but will have to watch the front coupling of their "power" to acertain the state of the train and their locomotive(s).
The moment their attention is distracted from the job at hand there WILL BE a problem. No doubt about it.
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 C. T. McCullough
Cedar Rapids, Iowa
SA #37469
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| aceinspp
1st Class Member
Conductor
Posts:684
Send Message
| | 05/13/2008 5:24 PM |
| | Sounds like to many operator and not great running conditions. To many locos and not even spaced where they need to be. Man what mess. Later RJD | |
RJD Chief Engr D & S RR | |
| tweave
Passenger
Posts:5
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| | 05/14/2008 8:36 AM |
| Seems that Rick and his helpers are locked into an approach without fully considering alternatives that would in all likelyhood yield better results. I've been running l-o-n-g trains for years. Here's what works for me: One operator, not 18. Numerous observers, linked to the one operator via two-way headsets. Their job is to report issues, not to control a locomotive. They are the operators extra eyes and ears. Use Aristo locomotives, they draw half as many amps as USA Trains engines. A single RS-3 pulls 30 cars easily. A single SD-45 pulls 60 cars easily. Use 8 SD-45's, not 44, to pull 395 cars. And space them one per each 50 cars. I don't understand why so many engines are being used. A single SD-45 weighs 15 pounds and will exert 4 pounds tractive effort on the coupler, more than enough to pull 50 cars. Feed all the locomotives from the track, using an Aristo Elite or Bridgewerks power supply. (My personal railroad used the TE system, where I enjoyed range of control around 250 feet, but for this attempt I would avoid using any wireless control system as it will be too unreliable over the extended distances of this large layout. We know Airwire range is too limited, look at the problems Dennis was having. The TE ranges are sometimes limited due to self induced electrical noise from the motors affecting the on-board receiver. Ditto for Locolinc and RCS.) For this attempt, a tethered throttle that can handle 15 amps or so should be used for controlling power to the rails. The train needs to be started up v-e-r-y slowly to avoid coupler separations, and that can best be done by a single operator, not 18. With 18 operators walking around with 18 Locolincs, one guy will inevitably mow a bunch of cars off the rails with a helper running too strong, or stringline a bunch of cars off the rails with a lead engine running too strong. I can't emphasize too strongly, one operator for the entire train, and all the engines being controlled in unison. DCC is nice, but this attempt can be done without the expense and complexity of DCC. Batteries are nice, but keeping 44 sets of batteries charged is too much extra work. 8 engines, each pulling 50 cars, all coupled together, drawing about 15 amps total, simple and straightforward.
Tom Weaver | | | |
| Greg Elmassian
1st Class Member
Carlsbad (San Diego), CA
Engineer
Posts:1225
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| | 05/14/2008 1:33 PM |
| I think the USAT locos were all free, so they are stuck there. Also, I'm reading between the lines, the number of locos used, if much less than the number requested, might not be a thing to be aired in public.
I completely agree with your statements Tom, and I did notice Dennis running after trains at his place... seems they do not have the loco antenna problem down yet.
Regards, Greg | |
Be sure to visit my site, lots of technical tips and modifications, and you can search for topics and key words.
Click here for Greg's web site | |
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