I was participating in another one of those “what’s the most cars a model loco can pull” conversations with a newer member of the hobby community, and suggested that it was difficult to answer generically. Too many variables. The only somewhat objective metric out there is the MR reviews where they measure drawbar pull and convert it to number of standard-NMRA-weight cars on level track.
So since the question was the “most cars,” it made me wonder. What is the most powerful model loco MR has ever reviewed in terms of drawbar pull? I suppose it should really add “in each of the common scales?” since it’s not fair to measure a G-scale against HO… but the question was asked of me in terms of HO.
So I’ll ask it specifically: Anyone know what is the most powerful HO loco MR has ever reviewed in terms of drawbar pull, irrespective of other factors (i.e regardless of having traction tires, operating on DC or DCC - or AC for that matter - no matter if it’s diesel or steam, etc.).
So far, the most powerful one I know of (in HO) is the Marklin/Trix PA-1 diesel, which they said can pull over 200 cars![:O] The engine is all metal, and then I believe it has four traction tires on all four drive wheels.
I was just thinking they should have a review in next April’s issue… A loco with an ‘infinite improbability drive’ that can pull “as many cars as you can imagine + 1” or something similar. Ah… maybe not as good as 5-dcc…
But I’m going to be impressed if someone turns up one that rated even more than this PA-1…
Wow, Interesting. I wonder why they only gave it four drive wheels rather than all 12? That almost sounds like the old drive system Rivarossi used on the E8 units. I always wanted to kit bash two together that had motors on both trucks driving 8 wheels with traction tires.
Now that I think of it a fellow at the club had an Athearn PA that he repowered with some sort of computer motor, geared it down, and just loaded in the weight. It could pull everything we had but its top speed was something like 15 smph.
To find the one reviewed in MR with most cars it would simply take going back and looking at all the reports.
Darth,My friend I must disagree…See that RSD picture in your signature? I don’t think it can be matched by any modern locomotives when it comes to pulling…
The most I ever read in MR prior to the one Darth mentioned, was the P2K SD 60. I believe they said it would pull over 90 cars. I have 4 of them and they do indeed pull very well.
Oh wow! Since most beginners build 4X8’s, HOW MANY 40 foot cars can added before the engine is ‘sniffing’ it’s own tail - doggie fashion?
How ‘realistic’!
(I flunked Geometry). A 44" circle’s circumfrence (22"r) + straights (92"?) = ???
Many railroads run 4 engines with 48 - 52 cars (1 per 10 cars) on flatlands, but that depends on weight, horsepower, speed, and terrain to be encountered. They don’t want to stall, and block traffic.
Most of our model electric engines ‘outpull’ their prototype, so … if you want to PLAY trains …all things being equal, it’s the weight of the engine vs, weight of what is being pulled, or traction vs. resistance.