3 questions on engines, corners and transformer

[Anonymous]

1. engines what does these numbers mean 4-8-4 meaning what does each number mean ...?
2. i built a double decker train around my sons room on the wall both trains run on the same track and i have 14 foot incine that climbs to the upper track which is 5 inches higher which i have no problem there where my problem is , is that i have to be in the room at all times when the trains are running because when they go aroung the corners they sometimes want to tilt over and i am running two tyco transformers that i have slow down in each corner then back up because he likes seeing them at that speed and anyways i need it to climb the hill...well what i was wondering is there anything out there that when the train goes into the corner it will automaticly slow down then pick speed back up after it is thru the corner? the last question is there a better transformer that i can run both trains from that will not slow the trains down by the lengh of the track the room is 14 foot by 12 1/2 foot and i am running two levels of trains one set is a lighted passenger car set with 4 cars...and the other one is a diesel with 12 cars to it....about the first question i want to buy a steam engine with smoke because i think that will catch his eyes the most thats why i was asking the first question about engines because i want to make sure i get somethiing that can climb the incine with no problem so if anyone can help please explain to me which each number means and what type i should get of an engine steam engine maybe even with a horn...i am on a fixed budget and the track is the backmann ez track setup i am running and i have about 16 feeds to the track so it does not lose power in any part of the track..i did do that right and i thank everybody for helping me on that one.....Rick

[jwmurrayjr]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Striker724

1. engines what does these numbers mean 4-8-4 meaning what does each number mean ...?

2. i built a double decker train around my sons room on the wall both trains run on the same track and i have 14 foot incine that climbs to the upper track which is 5 inches higher which i have no problem there

where my problem is , is that i have to be in the room at all times when the trains are running because when they go aroung the corners they sometimes want to tilt over and i am running two tyco transformers that i have slow down in each corner then back up because he likes seeing them at that speed and anyways i need it to climb the hill...

well what i was wondering is there anything out there that when the train goes into the corner it will automaticly slow down then pick speed back up after it is thru the corner?

the last question is there a better transformer that i can run both trains from that will not slow the trains down by the lengh of the track the room is 14 foot by 12 1/2 foot and i am running two levels of trains one set is a lighted passenger car set with 4 cars...and the other one is a diesel with 12 cars to it....

about the first question i want to buy a steam engine with smoke because i think that will catch his eyes the most thats why i was asking the first question about engines because i want to make sure i get somethiing that can climb the incine with no problem

so if anyone can help please explain to me which each number means and what type i should get of an engine steam engine maybe even with a horn...

i am on a fixed budget and the track is the backmann ez track setup i am running and i have about 16 feeds to the track so it does not lose power in any part of the track..i did do that right and i thank everybody for helping me on that one.....Rick

Rick,

You got some pretty good answers on #1 the first time you asked:

http://www.trains.com/community/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=16410

You could convert to DCC to help maintain a constant speed, especially on the grade (hill). Or you could make the hill less steep or add a helper engine and run the trains slower.

You could also put some "white space" in your posts so we could read them easier.

[:)]

[nfmisso]

Rick;

Real trains (and cars, etc) have to slow down for curves, and require more power to go up grades. Models are no different.

[Anonymous]

See i do not have a problem pulling the cars up the 14 foot upgrade with the diesel engine that i have , what i was meaning by that was can someone tell me what kind of steam smoke engine would be a good one but not expennsive that would have no problem go up like the diesel that i have?
On the question on the corners what i meant by that was that when the train comes to the corners i have to slow it down on each corner and i was wondering is there something out there that will slow it down without me have to keeping my hand on the transformer at all times?
On the question about the transformer i was just asking is there a transformer that i can use to run both trains from than the two tyco ones that i am using now to run both from? sorry if i comfussed everyone....
Rick

[Anonymous]

if you really wanna get tricky, isolate the curved tracks and put some small resistors on your drops, just be careful you dont put resistors on your bus wires, and remeber, keyword SMALL

[orsonroy]

MRC makes a device that's two power packs in one body. You still have to wire the packs individually like you have now, but the MRC unit will be of MUCH better quality than what you're using now.

As for the curves, you'll either have to manually slow down, add dropping resistors, or rebuild the layout with broader curves. Superelevating the curves (think Nascar curves) will help as well.

As for a large, relatively inexpensive steam engine that will handle your 6%+ grade, good luck. IHC will be your best bet, with their 4-8-2 Mountain. It should be able to lug 10 cars up your grade (maybe).