I have an area I where I would like to add a short loop for a mining train. It would require tight 2 ft radius turns and a steep climb. I have not set my route yet but I expect the grade to be at least 4%…maybe even 8% in spots.
I would prefer to use a steam engine but would use a diesel if that is all that would work. Goal is to run an engine with small group of ore cars.
Everything else I have is large diesel and I am not up to speed on what is on the market that might work for these conditions. What engines would be best suited for what I am looking for?
PS…I run battery power and Locolink on everything else and I would prefer to do the same here if I can squeeze stuff in. As a last resort, I could put power to the track but I prefer not to.
if you want to go with higher grades look at what happened prototypically and look at geared engines or look at a small cog (rack) railway to help the steep grades along.
Hi oldokie
I dont see any reason one of the comercial loco’s cannot be rigged for battery operation.
if you are only using “V” skips for the minning branch then a small porter
0-4-0 or 0-6-0 or similar would do the trick with the batteries in a minning type rolling out house type caboose.
Iff using conventional cars I dont know what to sugest that would not cost an arm and a leg
You may have to try and get some more weight into the loco if you want more than 4 or 5 skips
regards John
Also add the LGB Mogul, one of the better climbers on a R1 circle on grade, afterall they do design everything for those sharp curves, might give you the LEAST amount of hastles with such a tight layout. Good Luck
I can use curves that are slightly laxer at 2 feet 6 inches… Ideally your prospective loco needs to be articulated 0-4-0 + 0-4-0 and with all wheels driven.
The Backman Shay/ Hestler/ Climax all require a 6 foot diamiter curve. Right?? (check me on that) my backman mogul requiors a minimum of 5 foot diam. My lgb Mogul will pull a very heavy train up the 5 foot curves and on a steep grade.
Supposedly the Shay and the Climax are OK on 4’ dia. curves, how they would react to a 4 footer plus a 4%grade I cannot say, might slip alot. Plus the Climax hasnt been known to be a strong puller. The Hiesler is a definete 6 footer, no tight corners for that one. Unless someone has other experiences with the Bmann products, if I was going to do this, I would save my pennies and get an LGB Uintah 2-6-6-2 or a 2-6-0 Mogul.
