05-31-2012, 10:46 PM
Nice demonstration of the Sergents, Matt. 
Wish I could afford to convert.
I'm using Kadees and do think about the slack when starting: not out of fear of pulling a drawbar, but just 'cause it's neat to watch it happen.
Slack can cause problems when running trains, too, and it was interesting to follow a long train around the layout, with different parts of the train on level track or going uphill or down at the same time. The slack, or lack of it, moves throughout the length of the train, depending on the terrain being traversed.
Something for the DCC'ers to investigate might be an independent brake for the caboose or car with the FRED, or the last car in a passenger train - this might allow stretching the slack when slowing or stopping, and then playing the throttle against it.
Wayne
Wish I could afford to convert. lajry Wrote:Matt
Having been a conductor know that slack action on the real ones can be a problem starting a train. They usually have to start real slow so they don't yank out a drawbar on one of the last cars. This shouldn't ever be a problem on MRs but wonder how many of us modelers think about this when starting our trains off.
I'm using Kadees and do think about the slack when starting: not out of fear of pulling a drawbar, but just 'cause it's neat to watch it happen.
Slack can cause problems when running trains, too, and it was interesting to follow a long train around the layout, with different parts of the train on level track or going uphill or down at the same time. The slack, or lack of it, moves throughout the length of the train, depending on the terrain being traversed.
Something for the DCC'ers to investigate might be an independent brake for the caboose or car with the FRED, or the last car in a passenger train - this might allow stretching the slack when slowing or stopping, and then playing the throttle against it.
Wayne