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Can you mix track power and live steamers?

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#22 ·
Absolutely you can run both. I run DCC and live steam and all it takes is a quick wipe with a sponge soaked in smoke fluid to clean any residue off the tracks after you've been running a steamer for a while. As Greg says, a wet Swiffer would work great too. I'm more fussy than most when it comes to keeping track and wheels clean but it's no problem at all. I run a Roundhouse Billy, an Aster/LGB Frank S, and an Accucraft Shay.

Keith
 
#23 ·
Agreed Greg, however I came into possession of a large box of Swifer pads that had been opened up and allowed to dry out. Thus I use them with isopropyl and they do a good job. When I run out, wet ones will be used.

Keith- Nice stable, I just procured a NIB Frank S and are delighted with it

Regards

Jerry
 
#24 · (Edited)
NO snowshoe I dont plug the layout into the 220 volts wall plugs. I use wall plugs and in particular a multiple plug fed with 24 volts 10 amperes track voltage or DCS and I plug into the multiple plug the outer main, the inner main and the branch to the indoor terminus thus I can operate live steam on one main and digital on another. It's as simple as pie and has been in service for around 20 years, which I doubt a control pannel outdoors with toggles would. If I could I would use cab controle but how long does a cab control panel last out of doors? hence digital, in my case MTH DCS. With this I can controle independently all my locos on all tracks. But of course cannot when an uninsulated steamer is in use, on a given track, in that case I just plug out the track. its cheap, simple and it works since over twenty years...

As a matter of fact one of the factors that got me to install DCS (other than the fact that I now own 4 MTH locos) was the problem that arose when I was using Aristocraft Train engeneer on my two track main. I had installed one receiver on the down main and one receiver on the up main, but whenever my engine went from one main to the other on a crossover it would boost into full steam ahead at double the speed. Probably because it was receiving the volts from both receivers as long as it was over the insulated rail joint! So I had to revert to one DCS board, for both tracks and lost the possibility of running two trains simutaniously.

I have decided that if I revert to Aristo Craft Train engeneer some day, I will install toggles and simple cab controle inside the house and when ever I want to crossover from one track to the other, put them both on the same receiver temporarily just for the move. Once the train is on its track I can revert to individual receivers again by flipping the cab toggle.
 
#25 ·
du-bousquetaire said:
NO snowshoe I dont plug the layout into the 220 volts wall plugs. I use wall plugs and in particular a multiple plug fed with 24 volts 10 amperes track voltage or DCS and I plug into the multiple plug the outer main, the inner main and the branch to the indoor terminus thus I can operate live steam on one main and digital on another. It's as simple as pie and has been in service for around 20 years, which I doubt a control pannel outdoors with toggles would. If I could I would use cab controle but how long does a cab control panel last out of doors? hence digital, in my case MTH DCS. With this I can controle independently all my locos on all tracks. But of course cannot when an uninsulated steamer is in use, on a given track, in that case I just plug out the track. its cheap, simple and it works since over twenty years...

As a matter of fact one of the factors that got me to install DCS (other than the fact that I now own 4 MTH locos) was the problem that arose when I was using Aristocraft Train engeneer on my two track main. I had installed one receiver on the down main and one receiver on the up main, but whenever my engine went from one main to the other on a crossover it would boost into full steam ahead at double the speed. Probably because it was receiving the volts from both receivers as long as it was over the insulated rail joint! So I had to revert to one DCS board, for both tracks and lost the possibility of running two trains simutaniously.

I have decided that if I revert to Aristo Craft Train engeneer some day, I will install toggles and simple cab controle inside the house and when ever I want to crossover from one track to the other, put them both on the same receiver temporarily just for the move. Once the train is on its track I can revert to individual receivers again by flipping the cab toggle.
Click to expand...
Haha I didnt say that. I think Greg did.
 
#26 ·
I currently don't have a layout. But I did have one which I ran ran electric and live steam ( not at the same time). I would run my sparkies first. then my live steam to finish off the day.
I would just let the track crust over with dirt and dust till the next session then clean with a long handle drywall sander(used by construction workers). Many Garden Railroaders use to use these to clean there track years ago and I an surprised no one has mentioned it here. As long as you have clear access from above and no tunnels it's easy and no bending down on your knees required. for tunnels I used the trusty LGB Track cleaning Loco. Of course they are a bit abrasive and also not cheap or easy to find now days.
As mentioned previously, consider your track access, radius and grades when thinking about running live steam and your selection of locomotives.
Happy steaming
 
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