Using DE2 as a tag-along for brake pressure

[Rick]

So I see some people saying they pull a train, and have a DE2 all the way at the back of the train running idle, providing extra air for the brakes or something?

I've tried this, but when I fully release the trainbrake on that DE2, the trainbrake then doesn't work if I apply it from the locomotive in front. In my case I usually pull trains with a 060, DH4 or DE6.

Am I doing something wrong here?

[GizmoXomziG]

I've tried something similar with S060 and DE2 and it doesn't work - can't apply the brakes. DE2 seems to keep the air pressure that the S060 tries to bleed out.

For other two to work I'd guess you have to connect them with Multiple Unit cable: https://derailvalley.fandom.com/wiki/Multi-Unit

[K***boo]

If you put DE2 at the very end of the train then obviously it won't work because it's not going to be connected with the MU cable. For train brake purposes it's just another car. You'd have to teleport to it and operate the handle separately or something.

(And I seriously question the idea in the first place, hauling a DE2 just for the train brake? Really?)

[refshop]

Have used DE6 + Slug + job + job + job + DE2 (or DH4) + caboose .... with no issues .
DE2 normally on idle & in neutral, but if needed it can be controlled by remote (via caboose as relay). The brake lag is reduced noticeably if the DE2 engine (i.e compressor) is running. The DE2 is most useful when splitting off jobs en route. The extra 40T on a 2000T consist is not significant IMO.

[TheOofertaffy]

Originally posted by Rick:

So I see some people saying they pull a train, and have a DE2 all the way at the back of the train running idle, providing extra air for the brakes or something?

I've tried this, but when I fully release the trainbrake on that DE2, the trainbrake then doesn't work if I apply it from the locomotive in front. In my case I usually pull trains with a 060, DH4 or DE6.

Am I doing something wrong here?

putting a DE2 at the end of the consist will work if it
1. has it's own brakes released
2. the front locomotive does not have non-self lapping brakes, ie: DM3, S060, S282.

[schutt]

Where in the train the de2 is does not actually matter, but it needs its engine running. If the engine is off it will only help as long as it has more than 4 bar in main reservoir.
If you have it attached to a de2/de6 with mu cable it can help with the individual brake as well, and as a "remote reciever".
If you have it up front, behind the pulling locomotive, in the middle or in the end does not matter, apart from you cant use MU if its not directly connected.
So no benefit in putting it at the end, apart from if thats your way of shunting your train parts.
So with de2/dh4/de6 you can use aditional units of this 3 types to have faster brake release when you have their engine running. To prevent overheating the de2 you can switch the TM fuse off if you got them MUed.

[Rick]

Originally posted by Mr. Black Beaver:

Originally posted by Rick:

So I see some people saying they pull a train, and have a DE2 all the way at the back of the train running idle, providing extra air for the brakes or something?

I've tried this, but when I fully release the trainbrake on that DE2, the trainbrake then doesn't work if I apply it from the locomotive in front. In my case I usually pull trains with a 060, DH4 or DE6.

Am I doing something wrong here?

putting a DE2 at the end of the consist will work if it
1. has it's own brakes released
2. the front locomotive does not have non-self lapping brakes, ie: DM3, S060, S282.

Ah, ok, so using the DE2 to make the brakes release quicker only works if you have selflapping brakes. That explains why it won't work with the 060 that I mostly use...

[TheOofertaffy]

Originally posted by Rick:

Originally posted by Mr. Black Beaver:

putting a DE2 at the end of the consist will work if it
1. has it's own brakes released
2. the front locomotive does not have non-self lapping brakes, ie: DM3, S060, S282.

Ah, ok, so using the DE2 to make the brakes release quicker only works if you have selflapping brakes. That explains why it won't work with the 060 that I mostly use...

Yep, because self lapping brakes fight againsts the non-self lapping brakes, and if you use a self lapping brakes, the releasing should be quicker then the recharging of the brakes.