105 Car Train Attacks the Wahsatch Grade on the UPRR Evanston Sub HO Scale Model Trains in Action 

Love your layout!!! You have really built an amazingly awesome RR thanks for sharing it with everyone!!!

The prototype DPU systems have very little computer interface with train operations. They have a couple different modes that will help mitigate issues, but not eliminate them. It is still incumbent upon the engineer to manage the slack and buff forces in the train. The engineers have two modes to work the DPU with. Synchronous mode and Independent mode. Synchronous mode is when all of the locomotives throughout the train match the throttle position of the lead/controlling locomotive. Independent mode gives the engineer the ability to independently change the throttle and dynamic brakes of the lead locomotives and the trailing DPU consists. This becomes more complicated when the train has more than one set of DPU locomotive consists, but there can only be two (2) DPU locomotive consists in a train. The engineer only has the ability to place the train into Independent mode in one place. This means that all DPU consists are in Synchronous mode while the Lead consists has controlled Independently, or the Lead Consist and the first set of DPU's are Synchronous while the last DPU is controlled Independently. Moving the Independent/Synchronous location is referred to as putting up the "Fence." There is one Independent condition that is locked out by the DPU. The system will not allow the lead consist to the in throttle pulling while the trailing DPU consists are in dynamic braking. Some locomotives have RTE (Reduced Tractive Effort). It is essentially a toggle switch that limits the tractive effort to about 80%. These are supposed to be used on manifest trains with empty cars close to the DPU's to prevent over buffing the train and squirting out those empty cars. Examples; L=locomotive, C=car LLLccccccccccLLcccccccccccL is Synchronous. LLL{fence}ccccccccccLLcccccccccccL Lead consist is Independent from Synchronous DPU consists. LLLccccccccccLL{fence}cccccccccccL Lead and 1st DPU consist is Synchronous while last DPU is independent. There is also a formula for placing DPU consists in a train. Placement of DPU mid train without rear helper is based on the following formula on the UP. Tonnage of train divided by number of equivalent powered axles gives tons per powered axle for train (TPA). Multiply the TPA X 1/2 EPA of the mid train consist this will give you the tonnage to be placed behind the helper consist if the tonnage exceeds coupler restrictions a rear helper will have to be added. The placement can be moved by 5 cars in either direction to comply with placement restrictions empties, loads, hazmat, etc. A C44 or 45 has 12.1 EPA, an SD70M has 10.4. On a 9000 ton train running 3 C45's on the head end and 3 C45s DPU units will be 9000/72.6 = 124 TPA. 124 X 18 = 2232 tons behind the DPU consist. I am just making an educated guess that if you slow the train down to about 1/2 the speed at the bottom of the helix, your trains will not have too much buff forces by the DPU's.

I think this is the first time I've gotten motion sick watching a video. What would have been really cool was if you had put the camera on a tripod at one of your scenic spots and let us watch the 105 car train go by like a true railfanning experience.

Looking good Daryl, Longest I ever got was 60 cars behind one of my Bigboys on my old layout with 2% grades figure 8 with a elevated crossover at the X, one track went down the other up. that was a 12x11x10 U shaped on 4x8 ply cookie cutter method. I only got that many cars becuase the caboose was 1 car away from the loco LOL but it was fun to do once in awhile :)

I want all 105 cars ☺️ I love long freight trains also got my 1st tank car btw!

When I build my empire (yeah right) I'll be sure to run an alternative to a helix and that's as much tangent track not exceeding 1% that I can, with broadest possible radii (and very long easements between tangent and curve) to go down to staging. Towards the end it reduces to .5% for at least 50 cars then does a full lap at grade to enter staging. You said leave a comment so I thought about all the diabolical problems that helices present to long trains that I've seen on RU-vid and have come to this impractical conclusion. I do love long trains and this was great fun. I was reading others' comments and something someone said re their helix reminded me of my layout I had as a kid. Mine had a double track mainline and I had no end of trouble with derailments until I discovered turning the speed up to about 80% helped so much that they would run like that without problem for an hour sometimes.

Darryl - once again, great video. I wouldn’t sweat the derailment; prototype has them too!! lol As I once again find myself drooling over your RR, scented or not, I find myself looking forward to the day you start weathering your trains. Awesome job, love the videos. And I read an earlier comment in this thread, about using separate throttle for your DPU’s - I’ve had the pleasure / privilege of operating on the La Mess RR in San Diego a few times, using manned helpers in operations with separate throttles.

I’d consider your track work bulletproof, fantastic attempt with such a long train

Quite the train. DPU placing might have prevented the derailment as cars placement. great video.

That was really fun! By far one of the most awe and wow inspiring feats ! Very cool... I was really surprised at how well that actually preformed. - Gary

Great video. I really enjoyed it. Did you have the dynamic brakes on when you went down the helix? Or keep the dynamic brakes on while the rest of the train was rolling down?

Loved it! My one local hobby shop that is 40 miles away from my house recommends 1 oz per inch. If a car is eight inches long it should weigh 8 oz. Not according to the NMRA which recommends a slightly different scale. I have followed his advice and weighted all my cars and have never had a derailment. Of course, it makes for a heavy train. And I no longer run DPUs since I have yet to speed match my units. Maybe one of these times you can run two trains in the same direction like a race to compare weight capacities for distance. Another thing I have done with QBasic is have my program measure all my cars so I know how long each train is. It gives me a good idea on how to place what power units in the train. Seems to work well at this point.

I also have 8 scale miles of track w/ grades. On all my Scaletrain locos, I turn my back emf off. The ST motors are plenty strong and don't need to be on. But you will need to adjust the speed table.

You could most likely fix that pushing/derailment issue down the hill with less DPUs. Or maybe just one further towards the rear allowing more slack between the the head end and DP. I’d recommend 3 locos on the head and a single DP about 75 back. If you ever plan on running that size again. Seems your track work is great!

That's pretty awesome run with great results considering the length of train and a helix involved. I can't stand my helix and can't wait to dump it once I expand the layout. Thanks for sharing, look forward to seeing the ballasted yard. - Steve

Fun to watch! Would’ve been curious to see how it ran 3x2x0 with the DPU’s cut in around 60 cars deep

Daryl, looking down on the top of your helix is fascinating.🙃 First time I saw it under construction, I thought the extra outside track must be a branch line and that there must be a turnout somewhere on the top.🤔 (how could 3 tracks become 2 w/o a turnout?) But the track crossing over the first lap down is genius.😳 I'd be happy to see that "scene" in every video.🤗 Gotta Love It! 🚂Lawrence

Very impressive Daryl !!! DCC is the best invention since the sliced bread !!!😂

Magnificent!! Thank you.

Does your layout have its own zip code? Looking awesome it is!

A few years ago-I think in 2021-it occurred to me to make a train with enough cars so that the last one would be a couple of feet behind the last helper locomotive in a design that is a curved bone with a radius of 75 centimeters minimum and level, in a room of 7.5x3.70 meters. It took me a while to adjust the speeds but I managed it with 3 Athearn locomotives (SD90, SD60, SE45) and a Broadway (ES44AC). I managed to make a couple of circuits without problem (there were no crossovers). Two days later there was a strong 5.8 earthquake and at least half of the cars overturned. I must say that I lived in Chile and that in the 2010 earthquake, which was a magnitude 8.8 and which caused the loss of my house built less than 20 years before, the damage to the layout was enormous and completely out of scale.

Wow that's cool Daryl, definitely need another person to help run this train. I'm curious if you are going to have backdrops in your staging yard?

Hi Daryl, Very impressive, I'm astounded that you had so few problems 🙂 Are all your cars weighted to NMRA RPA 20.1 or more ?

Wow big train very awsome love the updates always love to see more

You need a weathering party for all those shiny locos and cars

That is one really impressive train. Thanks for sharing.

Hi cool. We did 55 cars 2 DPU 50 more cars 2 DPU at the end .lead engines 5 in total 9 engines to get up a 2.9% grade down to 1.9% grade then back to a 2.9%grade up to the top of the canyon & into a 8 foot long 12 track holding yard in the middle of the layout. Before going in to the city .

That helix is nuts

Laptop to tweek DPU power. Camera from Costco staging yard, helix. I would say went really well all by yourself!

Should stick through cars at the end or start to do cupler hight check or replacement. I haven't gotten that far yet so we are running cars with couplers that don't quite line up so when u go through a dip they can uncoupled.

I think Bemf adjust is CV 54 on Lok.Tsunami2 is CV212.(217&10 also).There may be others?

For BEMF it depends on the decoder, with ESU you can reduce or remove it at higher speeds, so I reduce it above 15 mph, giving good slow speed control and allowing them to match better above that. Then I have some Lenz decoders where I can't do that but they seem to work ok with those that do have low BEMF. I find and it has been documented by others that you should not have too much power for a train when running DPUs or helpers, then locos don't have the power to push cars off easily. Another is avoid starting or stopping too fast and have all locos with the same momentum time settings.

Did you speed match all your locomotives?

You did good 😊 from Neil schwerdt in west valley city Utah.

Do you plan on weathering the cars or such to look more prototypical?

I fined that light cars at the end heavy cars at the front its weighted cars good no weight lot of issues also trucks wheels and coupler height.

Question can you run the upper level only or do you have to use helix

Very very good Darryl as always 🇦🇺👍

Great video

You need to talk to Gregg from fishplate films ..he knows is stuff man

Daryl, how long were your trains on the old n scale layout?

what length train can make it up the helix with 2 locomotives?

Awesome..

Cooltastic👌

i look forward to your video, if you fix the issue of going down a helix,, I have not figured it out yet ,,

Whooooo you didn’t do a safety stop before you made that joint lol…

GREAT JOB BIGEST TRAIN ON A LAYOUT I EVER SEEN THANK YOU I LOVED IT GOING TO WATCH AGAIN THANKS AGAIN😊

😮 Awesome 👍😎

What are the dimensions of the layout?

Pretty simple, don't need to be in a power throttle setting to go downhill.

He's from Australia

I owe you an apology! As I watched this video, sitting here completely enthralled with size and authenticity of your creation, you came to the part where you had a problem whit the DPUs in the helix. I thought "He's got all this equipment and he doesn't even suspect that one can alter the BackEMF to address this". And then you state that you'll have to address BEMF and I was reminded, once again, to quit jumping to conclusions! Then you state it's hard to do. What's so hard about clicking a few buttons on your laptop? 😇 Of course, if you modify a unit to run as a DPU, youll most likely have to change it back to run it alone or as a lead unit. I see you're using Digitrax, You can control two consists at the same time. How about making your DPUs a separate consist and then you can, if you think you're good enough, throttle the DPUs back while in the helix. Of course I'm just shaking your cage a bit, all in fun. Bottom line is I'm impressed(no) amazed(no) astounded(no) shocked(yes - shocked) by what you've done. I wish I were close enough to wrangle an invitation to see your setup in person.