how many cars can a 726 berkshire pull?

[PostwarMan07]

I have a 726 berkshire that im pretty sure doesnt have magnetraction.  It is the 1946 version with the different smoke unit. It looks to be in very good shape and runs very smoothly for an engine that is 60 years old.  I am only able to pull 5-7 postwar cars on 0-72 track.  Is this normal for this engine or should I get it serviced?

[Anonymous]

I would get it serviced.  If the track is flat that engine should be capable of pulling 10+ cars easily, also make sure the car trucks are clean and lubed.

[Frank53]

On my previous layout, 12-15 cars was no problem for the 726, the bigger problem was not having that much staright way and having the cars pulled over around the tight curves.

[csxt30]

It may also help a little to clean the wheels & oil the axles on the cars !

Thanks, John

[Anonymous]

The 726 did not have magnetraction. The 736 did.

The 1946 is unique. I have one. I'd strongly suggest getting yours serviced ASAP based on the performance you've reported. Jaabat is an excellent resource on the 726 and provided me invaluable info; just search for the previous thread.

[spankybird]

It may also help a little to clean the wheels & oil the axles on the cars !

Thanks, John

Very good point John! Plus be sure to oil the side rods on the Engine.

[PostwarMan07]

thanks guys.  Im going to get it cleaned and serviced before I run it again.  I dont know if this matters but the cars I was pulling were older postwar cars like the milk car, log dump car, and other cars with heavy trucks.  They all seem a lot heavier than my new cars. Im getting it serviced either way but could this be a factor?

[Eriediamond]

There is something missing here. All answers are good here, but what was not stated was the reason this loco would only pull a short train. Does the engine stall or is it slipping the drive wheels? If it's spinng it's wheels then it's probably friction in the car trucks, but if it's stalling out, then the motor could be weak or friction in the engine itself. Either way all the advice given is good. Ken

 

[PostwarMan07]

The engine doesnt stall at all, but the drive wheels spin very fast.  Maybe its about time I service all my rolling stock as well.  Thanks again!

[spankybird]

The engine doesn't stall at all, but the drive wheels spin very fast.  Maybe its about time I service all my rolling stock as well.  Thanks again!

I believe that is really what John and I meant about cleaning your wheels, was the rolling stock and be sure to oil the axles and even put a small drop of oil on the inside of the coupler knuckle.

[PostwarMan07]

I just brought the 726 to the local hobby shop to get serviced.  They said it seemed to be in good shape and would oil it up and clean it out along with fixing the whistle tender.  I also brought in 4 other PW and MPC engines, accessories, and a KW to get serviced for various things.

When I pick them up Im going to buy some oil for all my postwar cars. Thanks again for all the help!

[kpolak]

I don't have a 726 yet, but I can attest my 2338 has a very difficult time trying to pull 8-9 cars with 3462, and 3472 milk cars in tow.  Take off the milk cars and give it a try, as these are very heavy.  As mentioned above, cleaning and lubing the wheels and axles on the rolling stock makes a world of difference.

Kurt

[Jumijo]

My 736 pulled 12 cars yesterday like it was nothing at all. It was flying around the track, smoking like a bastar... uhh house on fire at 12.5 volts. Still has strong magnatraction, too. I had to pry it from the rails.

Jim 

[ChiefEagles]

My 736 pulled 12 cars yesterday like it was nothing at all. It was flying around the track, smoking like a bastar... uhh house on fire at 12.5 volts. Still has strong magnatraction, too. I had to pry it from the rails.

Jim 

Mine too.  Mine looks like "brand new".  I'll never tell why.

[Anonymous]

you should clean and lube the wheels on your rolling stock, especially the heavier ones you mentioned. I made what looks like a 1/4" carpenters chisel out of a piece of "iron wood" which is a very hard wood that will hold a good edge for scraping the built up gunk on the wheels without marring them. you may not be able to see the buildup on the wheels because it blends in and looks like part of the wheel but it is there. you won't beleive the amount that will come off.  I also use a toothpic to dip into a good syntheyic oil and put a drop on either side of each wheel. once this maintainance is done you will see a difference in the pulling ability.

[lionel2]

Thats funny...My 1615 can Pull 8 cars with no problems...maybe its the oil and lube i am using that makes it easier for my engines to pull more cars...my 736 can pull way more than my 726 or 726RR can....my best puller i think is my 2046....that is my best steam puller...yeah oil up them wheels on the cars....but not too much so that they get oil all over the track and start a grease fire...yeah the 726 is a nice engine..one of my best...the tender is nice too i think..thanks

[USNRol]

The engine doesnt stall at all, but the drive wheels spin very fast.  Maybe its about time I service all my rolling stock as well.  Thanks again!

Absolutely...I run a bunch of postwar rolling stock and I can't emphasize enough how important it is to keep the wheels/axles well cleaned and lubed on the rolling stock. (don't over lubricate though to the point oil runs down the wheels and onto the track!!) You may also want to make sure that your 726's drivers are very clean and free of all gunk.  Then before putting one train back on your track clean the track to remove all traces of oil, dirt and grime.  Should see a HUGE improvement even if only moderately dirty.  It only takes one rusty axle on a piece of rolling stock to have drastic impacts on your Loco's pulling ability.

Roland

[PostwarMan07]

thanks for the info guys.  A while ago I cleaned all the gunk off the wheels of some of the postwar cars my dad passe down to me.  I couldnt believe how dirty the wheels were.  I think I used a flathead screwdriver (maybe not the best tool seeing that some of the wheel got a little scratched up, but they look a lot better now).

I am taking your advice and am cleaning all my track.  When all my stuff get back from the LHS where its getting repaired (726, 2025, KW, 397, 364, 6520, and 3 other engines all at the shop) Im going to set them all up on my floor for now and just feel like Im 9 again....