I'm thinking of a switchback line up a mountain, possibly using #47 Cerro Azul RR from 101 Track Plans for Model Railroaders. That plan has what appears to be 4% grades. So what would be good choices to climb that hill. Is the Atlas Shay capable of that slope, for instance? And what would the car limit be?
The Atlas Shay would probably pull at most 3-4 cars up that grade. A MDC/Athearn 2-8-0 would pull more cars as it's one of the better performing N scale steam loco's. Stay cool and run steam......
I'll agree with Bob, The Athearn 2-8-0 is your best bet. The MDC 2-6-0 is as powerful and believe Train World still has them for $50. Athearn reissued the MDC 2-8-0 but has not gotten around to the 2-6-0 yet. My 2-8-0's and 2-6-0 can easily pull five cars and a cabin car up a 5 percent grade. My Atlas Shay struggles with 2, and has had weight added.
Ya know, when you said that it got me to thinking how on a small layout like #47 (it's a 2x4 layout, correct?), shorter trains are normally a better choice. And there isn't room to have much more than 3-4 cars in each switch-back lead to begin with. So being limited to that few of cars might not be such a limitation, and it might offer some prototypical challenges that would add some operational challenges and issues that are normally lacking on a small layout. Just a thought. ---jps
I'm doing 4.5% on my little logging module, and because I'm using short trains of 25' logging buggies, it's really not an issue. You need a solid metal mechanism, 8-wheel drive, and relatively short frame. Slow-speed control has to be exceptional. You didn't say steam or diesel preference. I think the Atlas shay is a pretty good loco, just a little on the delicate side. I'm using it on 4%, 7 1/2" curves, just creeping it along, and I'm happy with that. If you're doing diesel era, the 'body mass index' of an F-unit, FA, or similar usually gives the best tractive effort, even if it's really a mismatch to put one on an ore-train branch. Life-Like SW's have great low speed, but the switcher body configuration is kinda light. Newer Atlas production seems to have a real disease with lightweight (aka DCC compatible) frames and slippery wheel material. I have yet to find a newer Atlas diesel that can pull as much as something 15 or 20 years old. One real tradeoff is that if you're going to do DCC, the loss of weight to make room for the receivers really makes a difference on a 4% grade.
While the Atlas Shays are nice locos they do not have the get down and slug it out abilties with a grade as the prototype did. 4% with 3 or 4 cars is it unless you doublehead them. Now the MT disconnects put out awhile back are light cars and you may be able to manage more using them. However to get any serious pulling power on that type of grade or better you are going to have to either modify or build your own. Typical rod locos used were the 2-6-2s and 2-8-0s or 2-8-2s with the Prairrie type being the most numerous. Rebuilding one into a tank type loco will usually give you a stump puller but the short wheel base without a tender can result in pickup problems over switches. This will get down and lug but there is lead in those side tanks over the drivers, in the shell, and in the rear bunk. Same here but that saddle tank has a lot of extra weight on the drivers. And the real grade haulers are these bashed 4-6-0s. All six wheels traction tired and a lot of extra weight. Unless you are modeling a specific loco the 1 to 1 folks also had a few side or saddle tankers with a tender added for extra water and feul. So you could take a 2-8-0 and add side tanks, keeping the tender, and increase tractive effort and electrical pickup.
The MDC/Roundhouse and the Athearn Consolidations would be your best bet for very small. Another choice, but larger, is the Model Power Pacific ONLY WITH FACTORY INSTALLED TRACTION TIRES.
If you don't mind the JNR look or doing a bit of work to make them look more US, The Kato & Micro-Ace Steam locos are very well made. Micro-Ace has a range of steam of various wheel configurations including tank locos (no tender). They very well made, detailed, have traction tires, tenders pick up power. most priced in the $55-$75. http://stores.ebay.com/Samurai-Express_N-scale-Railroad_W0QQcolZ4QQdirZ1QQfsubZ2QQftidZ2QQtZkm I have a few bought from this guy on ebay with no problems. see my sig photo.
Hello all I saw this topic, and was imediatly reminded of another.... What Pulls Better Up a Grade than MP Pacific? http://www.trainboard.com/grapevine/showthread.php?t=57708&highlight=percy Enjoy Shane
Yolev, I thought of the same post. I bought a Thomas for my son recently and it will pull with the best of them. Nobody (except John Moore in a round about way) mentioned the Bachmann 4-4-0 Americans. The most recent batch really surprised me in pulling power and runability. I'm not sure, it may have problems with insulated turnouts though. I had one pulling 15 cars on level track, so 4-5 should be no problem on a grade. Just don't buy the cardboard box versions, they wobbled pretty bad from what I understand. The new plastic box releases seem to be pretty good.
A Micro-Ace 0-6-6-0 is ideal for that type of layout. It's a small loco with outstanding pulling power and will handle 4% grades easily. Stay cool and run steam....
Dave, Some older locos will pull OK. The Atlas 0-4-0 Switcher (it's a PRR model, with a slopeback tender) will pull 3 or 4 cars up your grades. I modified mine extensively, so your results may vary. The newer issue of the Bachmann 0-6-0 is inexpensive, and pulls pretty well. I haven't had it on my layout (no decoder yet), but it does well on my level test track. The new issue runs pretty smoothly, too.
MK, I found the Thomas/Annie/Clarabell set on Ebay - came from a shop in Autrailia. Reasonable price, not great $112.00 considering they sold in the $60-70 range when they were available. They have been discontinued for a while now. I have seen them go as high as $200 for a set around X-mas. There was a guy in the states that had a few of the Thomas/Annie/Clarabell listed for $100 on ebay a few weeks ago, not sure if there are any left, haven't looked in a while. You can get Thomas and two Troublesome Trucks from Plaza Japan on ebay. That will run a little over $100 with shipping. They also have Percy and some other cars available. You pretty much have to resort to Ebay or Trainshows, I don't know of anyplace left in the US with them. I felt lucky to get the set I did NIB. Most are used or questionable.
Yolev- The title was meant for a Pacific without traction tires. The ones with factory traction tires installed can not be beaten.
