Sorry if there is already a past thread on this subject, or if these are stupid questions. 1. But, are there differences in the pulling power and output power of different locos? Say if i wanted to pull heavier cars with gravel or other cargo that my engine will not pull. 2. Also, is it common practice to put two locos in series to have more pulling power or is that only in real life? 3. Can someone explain the differences in locos that are $65.00 vs. $125.00 (non DCC) but look the same? Once again, I am a newb to all of this. But i am trying to learn. Any help is appreciated. Thanks, Trey
There is a wide variety of performance for various locomotives. A lot depends on the brand and how old the model is. For instants, the older Kato F units will pull more than the newer ones because they have more weight in the chassis. To make the new ones DCC compatible, there is space for a decoder which means there is less metal to help provide weight and traction. Many folks run more than one locomotive in a consist, just like the prototype railroads. Some manufacturers charge different prices for basically the same model. However, there may be big differences in quality and detail. Here are four powered locomotives on the front of one of my trains.
It also depends on the era you wanna model the newer diesels locos are much bigger then the older diesel locos, and this is good cause they can cary more weight. Like for instance a MAC90 can pull a lot of freight cars if you couple it with another loco you will be able to pull even more freight cars. It really depends on what you wanna model, I suggest start with a simple layout don't get to overwhelmed and get a few locos and freight cars so you can run some trains and then learn as much as you can to see what era you wanna model and what appeals to you.
Even locos from the same production run can opperate differently. I have a Lionel F3 that has 2 powered trucks that don't run exactly the same. I have an old late 80's Bachmann GP40 that I modified with an old N Scale of Nevada retroframe (out of production for many years, and now out of business since the owner passed away). This GP40 is a great puller that looks like garbage. These loco's are not known for their tractive effort and the retroframe is a heavy metal alloy that weighs about twice the stock frame's weight. Weight is only one thing when it comes to pulling power, electrical connection, truck design, and the motor are all factors.
Proportions: The prototype only use as many locos as they must. You can run as many as you like. Still it helps to keep it visually proportionate. Two locos at the head of a 7 car train is overkill but if that is what you want to do - go for it. Five locos hauling 50 cars on a large layout would look pretty cool - er, in my opinion. I "usually" run one loco on lead of a 10 car train. I'll run two on a 15 to 20+ car train. Sometimes for grins I'll put an Atlas GP near the rear with a 5 to 10 more lighter cars following. Mind you this is out of proportion to my 3' x 8' oval. Edit: I just looked at your thread with your "progress photos". On a layout that size you can figure that a 10 to 15 car train with 1 to 2 locos at the head should look "proportionately" correct - if that is an issue. Most diesels made today will haul 10 cars up your grade. If not? Ad a 2nd.
Yes, there are some motors that are stronger than others. However, the typical limiting factor for most locomotives is traction. Excess torque really does no good if the wheels start slipping. Most motors, especially in locomotives made in recent years, have enough power to spin the wheels when the weight of the train becomes too great. Many steam locomotives have traction tires to increase their pulling power because it is harder to add as much weight to them as it is to a diesel because of the limited volume under the shell. Some older diesels have traction tires also but they have issues of their own that most folks don't want to deal with so most newer production models do not have them.
In N, I believe Kato out pulls Atlas in most cases. IM uses Atlas type motors. Not sure how much is attributable to the Kato motor (Atlas retooled with their "slow speed" motors a few years back, and these are just not as strong) and how much is the slight extra weight Kato gets between bigger units (six axles vs four axles for most Atlas units) and the fact that they may use a denser, heavier alloy for the metal frames compared to others. Adding weight to any loco (to a point) helps traction, but in N is hard to do.
Lashup of several powered units. If there is one thing you have to be careful of when using multiple units is having a power supply with enough capacity to handle them.
There are many factors that effect loco pulling power. The motor is probably the least important factor for the average person. I don't know of a production N scale loco that will stall the motor before it breaks traction and spins it's wheels. Weight is the easiest factor to pinpoint. A heavier loco will pull more 90% of the time. Other things to consider include: (most of which we have no control over) Type of metal the wheels are made of. Number of axles. Traction tires or no traction tires. Gear ratio of the drive. Wheelbase (both of each truck and entire loco) Ballance (all wheels should share the weight equally) As you can see, there are too many things that can effect the performance to make a blanket statement of why one pulls better than the other. I don't feel you can make statements even about a single brand. In general, cab units (E's, F's, Sharks, C-liner, etc.) are going to pull the best just to to the amount of mass that can be crammed in the full body. Larger 6 axle units (SD70's, AC44's, SD80/90, etc) are going to be next in line. Weight is more important than the number of axles though. Smaller 4 and 6 axle loco's come next (GP30, 38, 40, SD9, 26, etc.) then switchers (MP15, NW2, SW9/900) Steam is a whole other story. I have medium size loco's that will pull 80 cars, I have large loco's that will pull barely 10. Just refer to reviews on here or ask questions, there are plenty of people with experience to help out. As far as the pricing, much of it comes from the amount of detail included, age of the design (newer tooled loco's generally cost more), road names available and quite simply, supply and demand.
As said before the newer models have less weight and pull less This 1980s Kato GP50 with 4 axles has pulled 24 cars on my layout as seen in this video Where as this 2010 Atlas DASH 8-40CW just sits there and spins all 6 axles with the same 24 cars The difference is the weight of the models. The Kato's weight a lot more even after being converted to DCC. Gary
I agree with the other guys. However, the way I read the question is that you may be determining engines by dollar value instead of brand and type.(DC OPERATION) My experience with N scale is that engines of the same brand names often run well together. BUT THERE ARE DIFFERENCES EVEN IN SAME BRAND FOR EXAMPLE. Older (better) Atlas engines were made by kato and have faster running motors. These are marked "Kato" on the fuel tank and run well together. Newer Atlas engines made in China were first made with faster higher gear motors but may not run well with kato made atlas' but run well with like Atlas. Atlas then changed design to a slower, lower geared motor these will not run well with the above engines but do run well with other atlas slower geard engines Lifelike engines seem to have wider run tolerances at manufacturing and while they run ok together they are not as well matched as like katos and atlas' I've run same Lifelike Heritage steam engines togather and they seem to run well together. I have no experience with Bachmann I own only spectrum steamers and no diesels. Again, this has been my experience and only my opinion I hope it helps. Mike
There is one "advantage" of the ubiquitous light weight Atlas GPs. It is fairly safe to put them mid-train in DC and DCC environments. The reason is they have so little tractive effort that if the front unit stalls the Atlas will as well. Caution, sometimes the little buggers keep on pushing. Don't do this if: You have hard to access places on your layout. I promise it will derail in that spot - especially when you are showing off to someone special, (don't ask me how I know). You have places where derailed cars can plunge to their destruction such as open work benches or track too close to the edge of the table with no barrier. Ransome - on a hollow core door layout you should have no issues with pulling power. Lesson: "Never take your eyes off of a moving train."
True I had some guest over and my trains kept derailing. This never happens when I run them and I could not figure out why it happened when I had the guest over.
