I set up a test loop in the shape of a dog bone with orginal American flyer track and Gargraves 3 ft track, it is powered it by a ZW and noticed the following:
The new LTI Alco’s (A-B-A) can barely pull 6 passenger cars on American flyer track; on Gargraves track they slip and cannot pull their consist, this is on the straight aways. If I remove the Alco’s and replace them with an original American Flyer Sante fe dual motor A-B-A 12 LTI passenger cars can be pulled with no slipping regardless of the track.
Has anyone else seen this? Should I look at adding weight to the LTI Alco’s, power the dummy, or look at using different track?
I have had problems with LTI (if LTI stands for Lionel Trains)engines in the past, anything from extremely low pulling power to not working after a few months. So your problem sounds like a Lionel design issue rather than a track problem.
I use GarGraves track a lot and this is the first time anybody has asked a question about pulling power being hampered by GarGraves track, both S & O gauge track. I only have American Flyer from the late 50’s or early 60’s, I don’t have Lionel S gauge. I have some K-Line S gauge frieght cars and a caboose, the caboose sticks out too far and side swipes almost everything on the layout, even my 295 A.F. steam loco don’t side swipe anything like that K-Line caboose.
Don’t get me started on the K line caboose, good news is I only bought one! Its sits on the shelf… found also that the electrical contacts on each axle creates a great brake. I have rusty prewar tinplate that rolls better.
The tank cars don’t look right either, so I did not buy any, graphics and details look toy like… however if you need some hi-cube modern looking box cars, the K-line boxcar fits the bill. they roll great, graphics look very good (eventhough they are mostly post war knock-offs), and the price is right! Bought 18 cars from the local hobbyshob for 10 bucks each (clear out sale)! You can make your T&P 474-75-77-78’s pull 30 cars…
I thought S helper had “high rail cars” that were made for S gauge? Last time I saw them though they were kind of pricey…the K line box cars just seemed to be the right deal! 10 bucks a boxcar! count me in!..plus they look great and roll effortlessly…
S Helper cars come set up for HiRail. Scale wheels are included for scale modelers to change out the AF type wheels. Same for diesels. Steam engines are either HiRail or scale. List price currently $43-45 for most freight cars, discounts can be found.
Lee, I think you probably surmised what I had figured… LTI Alco’s need an additional motored unit in their A-B-A lash-up. I took the dummy off, and replaced with an additional LTI A powered unit and the slipping stopped, this is what it will take if you buy those additional add on cars…Hey Lionel can you make some spare American Flyer Alco powered units… is anybody there? Hello? [zzz]
I am sticking with my A.F. locos as I don’t want to spend $400.00 or better for a new loco in S gauge. Also not much room for my A.F. track in my layout so I won’t be buying any S gauge for now. I am using a post war Lionel type Z transformer for power to the A.F. locos.