Regularly running on the Sub these days - a 108 car earthworm with distributed power - you see the lead locos in the foreground right and the DP back left: Here's the middle: I have 2% in and out of staging and have no problems. The locos are FVM ES44DC. Worst thing that's happened is the occasional uncouple mid train, and that not at all often.
I have made the trek along CA 58 many times and seen the BNSF pulling those huge trains. Looks pretty darn good Jim. The only difference from my observations is the distributed power. All the trains I have seen shooting across Tehachapi to Barstow had 2-4 mid-train helpers and a few more locomotives on the back of the train. But then again they also had more cars to pull probably. I just mention this in case you decide to add more cars or power to your train. As is, it is still picture perfect! Well done! Thanks for sharing.....
Here's my 844 on a tour of the Oakville Sub...the two water bottles and 23 cars - some from a couple of COLAs - first at CP Canyon: Southbound out of Caliente: At Bealville ranch crossing: And at the Cliff crossing: Sweet loco, great cars. Thanks Santa Kato san.
Looks great Jim. Always so nice to see your layout with the new releases on parade, and heck even with anything running for that matter!
Looks great. I was sitting in Mojave one time, and two of those worm trains came through, and met nose to nose exactly in front of me. I can't remember, do you have a coil train?
Yes Dave, but it's short, I think only around 15 cars or so...now, if Red Caboose would just crank out a few more in swoosh... Thanks, guys, for the comments. Much appreciated.
Reninds me... I was in Flagstaff last month with THE Wife. While waiting on a doctors appointment...we went over to the train station. While there we saw not one...but TWO of those earthworms come through. They are impressive...all them cars looking the same. And only one had grafitti on it.
I just blows me away running that thing. I keep expecting disaster, and it just keeps running. Never thought I could use DP. Actually, not sure how mid train power would work, haven't tried it...hmmm...
Jim, Mid train distributed power is really no different that what you did at the end for the pusher/puller power. It is all in the DCC programming. If all the units are speed matched and running using the same speed table, it is just a matter of staggering the startup points using momentum settings to delay the mid train helpers from the front end locomotives, and then adding more momentum to the rear locomotive pushers. The key is setting the momentum to start the locomotives rolling as the coupler slack is taken out of the train in front of them. Since you have working rear power, it is even easier for you. Disconnect the front part of the train and move it far down range Add the new cars behind the rear end helper (which is now the lead locomotive) Move the rear helpers into position and tweak the momentum so they roll smoothly as a unit Now connect the two trains and you have a mid train helpers (formerly the trailing helper locomotive(s)) running as well as the new rear train helpers This is what I have done for distributed power
