I was just reading a discussion in the Layout Design forum which mentioned Helpers, and I wondered how you would handle this in DCC.... Say you have a 4% grade, and a long train hauled by 3 locos...at the bottom of the grade your helpers are attached at the rear.... I assume you would be running the entire set as one big MU (even though they are at different ends of the train), but how do you bring those other locos into the 3 loco MU you've been running up to that point?
I do not MU them. I would just call up that helper loco or locos and bush on the end of the train. After the hill slow down and back away. Let your MU go on.
So you set your MU at a constant speed, then run the helpers up behind, push away, then drop off? Doesnt it get kinda tricky running multi locos on one throttle, or do you just operate them as seperate mu's on 2 seperate throttles?
I use two different ways quite frequently: 1) Run the rear-end helper on a separate throttle by the same person. This requires much concentration. 2) Have another crew member run the helper set. This is somewhat easier and requires constant communication between those crewmembers. Most important is that the helper starts to move at the same time or before the head end moves. When the running-out slack encounters those heavy, not-so-free-rolling helpers the train will derail. We often let the helper start a bit before the headend, so there is less load on them. Both ways require skill and gentle throttle handling or disaster strikes. hth Michael
I would MU all three loco's together carefully matching their speed curves. Stay cool and run steam......
I have done the push both ways. With 1 throttle and with 2. My use of a helper is just to get up that hill. I do not let the helper stay at the end of the train. If I need more horse power to move things on flat ground I add it to the front of the drag. My helper does not couple with the train it is pushing. This way I can just add the right amount of push to get up that hill and when the lead locos can pull the load it pulls the train away from the helper. I hope this helps.
I have done both too... with the Digtrax wireless throttles that I use, you can run two different "consists" at a time. Harold
