Hi Guys
I am thinking of using Woodland Scenic 3% inclines to bring my trains out of staging. Will 3 diesels pull 20+ cars up that grade? I am trying to keep the minimum radius as broad as possible but may have to go down to around 25". My locos are newer Athearn RTR, Genesis and P2K. All HO.
Thanks!
Are your locos DC or DCC? DCC is much easier to consist - all locos must be pulling equally for maximum tractive effort. The locos you mentioned are usually good pullers, but there are exceptions to everything - a SW1500 is certainly not equal to a SD70 or a Challenger!! [:)]
I can pull 20 with 2 Athearn GP diesels up a 2.5% grade with no problems. My Bach Dash 8 will do 15-18 by itself. (curves are about 30") Your mileage may vary…
They will be DCC. They are all in boxes at the moment while I am planning this thing.
Thanks Ivanhen
Will it change anything if you split up the engines by putting one or two in rear pushing and one or two on head pulling. Or is it all the same force throughout the train?
MIke
You have some other variables to consider… Is the grade on a curve? Do you have a good, smooth transition to the grade at the top and bottom? Are your cars properly weighted and free rolling? All of these things will affect how well your train operates on a hill.
That being said, however, three Athearn HO diesels out to be able to pull the toupee off of Rip Taylor. I don’t see that being a problem. On my N scale layout, I have a similar situation where the staging tracks are below the scenery. To come up, trains have to negotiate a 3% (+/-) grade around an 18" radius turn and a run of about 8’. I routinely run 20 car trains through that using 2-3 n scale diesels. Granted, some make it more easily than others… A pair of FA-2’s will pull 40 cars without blinking, while three GP 20’s have all the work they can handle moving 20 cars.
My best advice for you is to make sure you lay your track carefully so the only issue you’re doing battle with is gravity!
Lee
Hi Lee
Yes, the grades will be on a curve. It’s going to be a sort of one pass, two way helix. Hopefully no tighter than 26" radius. Most of my cars are newer and all will have metal wheels. The WS inclines are a bit abrupt, but I figure I will do some sanding to make sure they are smooth. I’m still very much in the planning stages and am looking for “Yeah, should work” or “Not a chance” type of advice. So far it looks good. I really want to do this right this time.
Thanks!
20 cars with 3 powered (albiet small) locos on 3% should be NO PROBLEM - unless your cars are made of solid cast lead.
With a 3% grade, you should allow an extra 30 inches of run (15 inches top and bottom) to round off the peak and form a round hollow at the base. The rounded easements should each be 30 inch long parabolic vertical curves - but you don’t have to be a fanatic about it.
Chuck (modeling Central Japan in September, 1964 - on 2.5% and 4% grades)