It is easy to do, but it does work best if they are the same loco (i.e. Two Re460s both with C-Sine motors). That said, WinDigipet makes it possible to mix anything as long as the locos have been calibrated to match speed with throttle position.

It is not very wise to run differerent locos this way.They have to accelerate,braking and running with exactly the same way,which is very difficult,maybe impossible.It is possible to burn a decoder or damage a motor.

If running modern locomotives with decoders, it is possible to adjust the acceleration, deceleration and top speed so that two locomotives can be run in tandem. With some decoders, it is also possible to set the digital address as a "consist" or "MU" (Multiple Unit) where the assigned locomotives respond to the same commands.

It can be problematic when combining a model with sound with a model that has no sound, as the sound module affects the acceleration, deceleration differently.

Most Maerklin models can be run in tandem. The classic Maerklin models did not suffer too much if one was working a little harder than the other. The problems occurred when the tandem would enter a signal/dead zone and the lead lok would stop while the second would keep pushing. The most significant problem that I have ever seen with tandem operation and classic Maerklin was that in some instances, instead of activating the reverse pulse of both loks, it would cause either one or both of the loks to drive at high speed, causing a risk of derailment or collision. This is largely averted with the new decoders, but they still recommend that the train be stopped when the reverse command is given.
On rarer occasions, it can occur that the reverse pulse can cause only one of two analog loks in a MU set up to reverse.

Here are some common tandem operations that can be found today:

DB 185 + 185 (Heavy Freight) seen in Germany, Austria and Switzerland
DB 218 + 218 (Freight and Passenger) seen in Germany
ES64F4 (189) ES64U3 (182) (Heavy Freight) seen in Germany, Austria and Switzerland
SBB Re 6/6 + Re 4/4 (Heavy Freight) Switzerland
SBB Re 4/4II + Re 4/4II (Heavy Freight or Passenger) Switzerland
SBB Re 482 + 482 (Heavy Freight) Switzerland (could also be Re 474 or 484)
SBB Re 6/6 + Crossrail Re 436 Switzerland (SBB used Crossrail Loks periodically)
BLS Re 465 + Re 465 (Heavy Freight) Switzerland
BLS 485 + 486 (Heavy Freight/ROLA) Switzerland
BLS 485 + DB 185 (Heavy Freight) Switzerland (BLS and DB Cargo used to work together)
OBB 1016/1116/1216 (Heavy Freight/Passenger) Austria

Regards

Mike C

Edited by user 17 April 2017 22:24:20(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

Love seeing two or more locomotives working like that. Otherwise another easy solution is to buy the sets of tandem locos whenever available. I know a guy who buys non functioning locomotives and removes the old motors, etc and runs them as a consist. Granted, it might add a little extra weight to your overall load.

It is also worth noting that Marklin have also made quite a few 'double header' locomotive sets some of which are permanently wired together, others are two separate loco units - 1 powered and 1 dummy.






With sets like the BR151 'Langer Heinrich' coal train the second loco is ready to receive an additional motor (which is what I have done to mine) making the two locos great for a long consist you may wish to run.





BR

Nice video. I have to say, that's the longest beer train I ever saw!

I am running a consist of 2 DSB MY´s.
They are analogue.
Although they are the same model, each works slightly different than the other.
I found that the perfect result is having the "fastest" one running in front, pulling the slower one.
I also connected the two pickup sliders with a small cable between the locos. This of course makes it diffuclt to break up the consist, but removes any problems if encountering dead sections on the track.


I would be interested in reading about combinations with a locomotive in each end of the train!