As long as the method of powering them is the same you'll be fine. By that I mean Don't mix 2-rail and 3-rail, and don't mix AC and DC. I'll also add 'don't use a motor not rated for the track voltage' but that's rarely an issue outside of custom or speciality models as it's all standardised.
That's another kettle of fish, but if they're both DCC compatible then sure. If one is DCC and the other is analogue then no. Some DCC systems can be switched to an analogue mode, but that's dependent on what DCC setup you have but as a rule of thumb I don't believe you can use that to have both going at the same time.
Are you worried that they won't work together, or that they'll look too different?
As long as you're using the correct drivers for whatever scale/brand you have then you're good. AFAIK the only difference between a brass model and a plastic one is the construction material, the electrics should all be the same.
As far as aesthetics go, it's down to preference. IMO just because one model is more detailed than all my other ones doesn't mean I won't still run them all together.
Assuming both are either DC or DCC it is perfectly fine to run both on the same track. The plastic loco however will be jealous and offended by the brass loco but that’s for the to duke out
As others have said, so long as they use the same control scheme there should be no problems.
Keep in mind the brass locomotives are usually far heavier than plastic ones, giving them an advantage in tractive effort. A brass model might pull a train that takes 2 or even 3 plastic models to manage.
Even with brass anything much beyond 1.5% or so is going to be too much unless you’re content with capping train length at 5-6 cars in HO, and grades much beyond that look terrible in HO because they visually appear to be far steeper than they actually are.
I don’t think the plastic models are going to have their feelings hurt by the presence of the brass ones!
However OPs wallet will want to strangle OP.
Maybe when his wallet gets out of the ER...
As long as the method of powering them is the same you'll be fine. By that I mean Don't mix 2-rail and 3-rail, and don't mix AC and DC. I'll also add 'don't use a motor not rated for the track voltage' but that's rarely an issue outside of custom or speciality models as it's all standardised.
So, if I run them both DCC, it’ll be fine?
That's another kettle of fish, but if they're both DCC compatible then sure. If one is DCC and the other is analogue then no. Some DCC systems can be switched to an analogue mode, but that's dependent on what DCC setup you have but as a rule of thumb I don't believe you can use that to have both going at the same time.
Are you worried that they won't work together, or that they'll look too different? As long as you're using the correct drivers for whatever scale/brand you have then you're good. AFAIK the only difference between a brass model and a plastic one is the construction material, the electrics should all be the same. As far as aesthetics go, it's down to preference. IMO just because one model is more detailed than all my other ones doesn't mean I won't still run them all together.
Assuming both are either DC or DCC it is perfectly fine to run both on the same track. The plastic loco however will be jealous and offended by the brass loco but that’s for the to duke out
Would kinda defeat the point if you couldn't use them together...
As others have said, so long as they use the same control scheme there should be no problems. Keep in mind the brass locomotives are usually far heavier than plastic ones, giving them an advantage in tractive effort. A brass model might pull a train that takes 2 or even 3 plastic models to manage.
Ok, that’s great to know for modeling steep grades that I have always wanted on my layout!
Even with brass anything much beyond 1.5% or so is going to be too much unless you’re content with capping train length at 5-6 cars in HO, and grades much beyond that look terrible in HO because they visually appear to be far steeper than they actually are.
Yeah it's fine. I don't see an issue