I don’t want to start any arguments, just gather information from others experience. I saw a “Backshop” video in which Jim Barret test draw bar pull of different locomotives. I was suprised to see a modern MTH engine have the best pulling power over such things as a trainmaster. My personal best puller is a ABA F series from K-Line in which all three units are dual power. As for single units, I’d have to say my JC H16-44 from Lionel. I have not tested my Postwar fleet, but will over the next few months. SO, What is your best puller? Also, have you done any tricks to increase it’s power? I know some folks have added weight to some engines and they pull quite well.
I have two GP-30s from Lionel, one is TMCC with Odessey the other is Legacy. Both are excellent pullers and with them double headed you get triple your fun! Running under Legacy they perform even better.
I also have a MTH 491 Streamlined Hudson that isn’t a bad puller for a conventional engine. Also a MTH B&O RS-1 with PS2.0 that can pull quite a bit, and my K-Line Allegheny is no slough either.
I’ve found that dual motor engines that have some heft to them are the best pullers as it takes some weight to really make the traction tires bite. Without the weight and traction tires wheel slippage is really bad.
My MTH 2-8-0 does a great job for an entry level steamer. I contribute some of that to the speed control, and weight, as Lionroar88 stated. The speed control allows you to roll on power a little more evenly, keeping the tires from spinning on the rail. My MTH F3 is also a very good puller, and it has two motors. They can pull 17+ cars up 3% curved inclines all day long, at speeds under 10 SMPH. On a small layout like mine, that’s great.
My LTI #18030 Frisco Mikado. It pulls like a mule including up steep grades wih long trains. Die-cast shell + Traction tires + Pullmor motor: heckuva tough combination!
This is an interesting question, Dennis. I have a K-Line 2-6-2 - a train set engine of all things with a pair of traction tires - that can pull just about every car I have. My #520 can also pull heavy cars - but stalls on some of my goofy grades.
The best in my fleet is an MTH PS1 scale GG1. The weight of it alone problably makes it such a good hauler. Supposedly my 2 Atlas F2/3’s could handle tons but I’ve only tested them with a mix of 12 passenger and head end cars on the flat. ( no grades on my layout )
I don’t think this topic should go without mention of Lionel’s Docksider. It seems it’s weight to power ratio is way above average, especially for an entry level loco.
Bruce, I agree, the Docksider is a strong locomotive for it’s size and price range. I would be interested in putting TMCC in a few that I have and seeing if I could do a MU with them.
My Williams Amtrak Genesis with TAS TMCC/RS can pull tree stumps. It pulls a long line of heavy MTH passenger cars up a three percent grade without a problem.
I would guess probably my K-line Club Trainmaster(with TMCC).
I have yet to throw anything at it yet which it couldn’t pull without complaint, including 20 heavy postwar cars which two postwar engines could hardly even budge.
As I haven’t done drawbar tests, though, this is all anectdotal.
Currently my Legacy SD40-2 in the beautiful CSX YN3 “Dark Future” paint scheme. Soon to be my MTH CSX SD70ACe, also in YN3. You gotta love the dark blue and gold!
Isnt black and white kinda old fashion? [:-^]
One locomotive I have always found suprisingly powerful is the 4-4-2 Starter Set engines. Compared to their “Scout” postwar brothers, they have very powerful moters. Mine has been capable of pulling 15 traditional cars on 027 curves!
Ive tested a bunch of my engines (post war F3s, FMs and GG1s) now ive run them against my newer offerings. I dont have enough rolling stock to challenge the larger ones so i got to thinking…what is the worst rolling piece of equipment I could think of. Then it came to me…early post war F3 B-units, these things are anchors.
believe it or not, the little docksider pulled eight of them around 0-54 curves and straights.
I put every one I could lay my hands on behind my JLC big boy and 22 of them was no problem, but this was done on 0-72 curves and straights.
It’s probably my Lionel F7 ABBA set with 3 powered units having a total of 6 motors. Behind that, probably my MTH centipedes with 2 motors in each unit.
Not bragging, scale Lionel SD80’s [three of them MU’d = 6 motors] as they ar big and heavy. Next would be the big MTH E7’s with ABA and both A’s double motored. Then you hit the Lionel SD40-2’s, The Atlas SD40’s and the Big Boy will pull and pull. Due to shear weight, Big Boy might out pull them all. I’ve got a lot of Lionel and Atlas diesels and I have not seen one spin yet with a lot of weight behind them. I am very satisfied. I think can motors and weight along with traction tires has really improved the pulling power of modern “toy trains”.
I notice in the discussions the suggestion of adding weight, preferably over the drive wheels, particularly useful for single motor units that are weight challenged to start with. No one has mentioned anything about the resulting higher operating temperatures or motor failures. Non issue?
Jack, I don’t believe they are adding too much weight. While it would add to the force to overcome for the locomotive to move, it also can act as a heat sinc in some cases. Still, we are only talking about several ounces, not all that much. Some have done experiments with how much weight will yield the desired results without the issues that would happen if too much weight were added. Just some trial and error. I have used magnets on some engines to add weight that can also be removed if needed.