I'll have to admit, I didn't think this was possible. I'm sitting here observing a test layout -- much to my spouse's consternation, it's on the coffee table. 5 Kato Rio Grande F3s (A-B-B-B-B) are pulling 10 40' rib-side, three-bay hoppers, and bringing up the rear are three Atlas SD-7s, and a caboose. (OK, that's a lot of locomotive for 10 cars, but my coffee table isn't very big, and 'this is a test'). Helper-assisted freight traffic is a key think in my plan for my Rio Grande layout, which features the modelgenic run between Helper and Soldier Summit, Utah. I thought for sure I wouldn't be able to adjust the speed of the helpers to the point that there wouldn't be constant derailments. It is a most pleasant surprise to discover otherwise! All the locos are decoder-equipped. The speed adjustments wouldn't have been possible (at least for me) without JMRI's DecoderPro, a free, open source software suite for computer-based DCC programming and control, and Locobuffer USB, which enables USB-equipped computers to connect to Digitrax and other DCC systems. I was able to adjust the acceleration, speed, and deceleration of the Atlas SD-7s in real time to match the F3s. Setting the locos up on an oval test track is really helpful because you can get their speed synched over, say, a couple of dozen laps. I'd very much like to hear from other N scalers who have successfully run helpers. Have you avoided derailments successfully? How do they look on a real layout (as opposed to a coffee table)?
721 West nearing the top of the climb from Ft Macleod. The midtrains will stay with the train to assisit it through the sag at Burmis and over the summit cutting out at Sentinal. The tail end helpers cut off on the fly here and run light back to Ft. Macleod. Both sets of helpers are controlled seperately therefore this train requires three crews to get it up the hill. Forgive the scenery it is in the initial rough stage. My coal trains (48 to 54 cars long) run with DPU's on the tail-end with no trouble. Engineers have to be vigilant though. Sometimes the DPU must be controlled seperately in certain conditions to optimize performance. grant 721 West nearing the top of the grade. Midtrain helpers on 721 West. Tail end pushers about to cut off on the fly.
Bryan: I always run helpers on the JJJ&E which is entirely graded and is run with DCC. There are no derailments as the loco's are all speed matched using Decoder Pro software. Before Decoder Pro, I individually speed matched each loco. It took more time, but the results are the same. Stay cool and run steam.....
Grant, those are great pix. Your scenery may not be finished, but I really like the way you capture the appearance of an artificially constructed fill across a naturally undulating landscape. Let's see more as your layout develops. --Bryan
The scenery looks good so far. Grant, I would love to see a close up of the SDs at rear. They look similar to the GP-40PHs (extended roof) used by Amtrak some time ago.
