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RailPro => RailPro Specific Help & Discussion => Topic started by: faithie999 on October 21, 2025, 01:54:43 AM

Title: Installing into a push-pull trainset
Post by: faithie999 on October 21, 2025, 01:54:43 AM

Rapido has recently announced the New Haven (and others) Roger Williams trainset.  The NH purchased them in 1956 and consisted of front and rear RDC cab units and several intermediate RDC's.

the Rapido set will have front and rear powered cab units and a single intermediate unpowered RDC.

will installation and operation be as simple as installing an LM in both powered units then speed-matching them?

thanks
Ken

Title: Re: Installing into a push-pull trainset
Post by: G8B4Life on October 22, 2025, 01:50:00 AM

It will all depend on what Rapido actually does. If each cab is actually powered and contains a plug for DCC/LM then yes it should be as simple as plugging in your LM's and setting everything up. I can't say I've ever seen anyone offer a self contained set like the Williams is and both cabs are powered (let alone thinking of the cost of two decoders/LM's  to run on DCC/RP). I would expect one cab would be a dummy but it certainly appears Rapido is doing them with two powered cabs as the default option. Interesting.

- Tim

Title: Re: Installing into a push-pull trainset
Post by: gregeusa on October 22, 2025, 10:53:30 AM

pretty common philosophy, pulling a train more reliable than pushing one. prototype and model.

also unpowered unit is normally lighter, more issue pushing lightweight car from end of train

(there are other prototype reasons also)

some of these are also geared higher, so might need the extra motive power.

Title: Re: Installing into a push-pull trainset
Post by: G8B4Life on October 23, 2025, 06:45:49 AM

Philosophy does not equal reality. There are a multitude of examples of trains around the world that are pushed by the locomotive in one direction of the journey. Of course, we are talking passenger trains, like the OP post is about. If I looked into it deeper I'm sure I be saying 100% of the models of trainsets here that have a locomotive at both ends have a powered model at one end only, the locomotive at the other end is a dummy.

Title: Re: Installing into a push-pull trainset
Post by: gregeusa on October 23, 2025, 02:58:14 PM

Reality in model world also. If you want to argue, that's fine... for the rest of the world that has run a train in reverse, the answer is obvious.

Works better in real world...

If there are a lot of models with motor at one end only, ok, many reasons to save money..

Question was will installation be as simple as using 2 decoders and speed matching?

Already answered