Atlas N Scale Shay

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

First of all, I feel in love with Shay locomotives when I lived out on the east coast. Every summer for my birthday my family would drive from our home in Virginia to Cass, West Virginia. Located in Cass was the remants of an old logging line now used to haul passengers to the top of Bald Knob. They operate numerous Shay’s, and they are beautiful engines.

I was wondering if anybody knew or could estimate the maximum grade for Atlas’ up-coming N-Scale Shay with 3-4 cars? (Go to Order/Ship Dates on www.atlasrr.com, and you can find it in the N-Scale section.) I’m interested in partially re-creating the Cass Scenic Railroad in N-Scale, and the real one has grades of up to 11 percent in some sports. I need the grade info so I can get started on planning my layout.

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We have till August to ponder this one.
In the meantime, check out Atlas new Mogul. Should be at your LHS as I type this & Ship Monday. That loco appears to be able to pull 3-4 MDC Overton cars with no problem. If the Shay pulls like a small diesel, it should also be able to pull them. The Bachmann oldtimers would be good too, if you can find them.

A 10% grade would be plenty steep. You’d also have to plan transition grades so that all the couplers stay together & something dosen’t come off the track.
Anything over 4% would be too steep for most model railroads!