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[quote user="caldreamer"] Would I use that when determining which engines based on RTA for a particular train or would I use the 2,54 or 2.24 grades and add an extra engine to the train?[/quote] Usually the ruling grade on a subdivision determines the power need. In former years railroads had tonnage ratings for each locomotive on a special route. For example SD45s had a rating of 1,275 tons from Colfax to Sparks across Donner Pass. So a Train of 5,000 tons needed 4 SD45. Today each railroad uses a slightly different method mostly based on rated power axle (RPA) or equivalent power axle (EPA). For each subdivision/mountain pass is determined how many RPA or EPA a type of train needs for 1,000 tons or how many tons 1 RPA or 1 ETA can move. Sorry I haven't found information about details. Perhaps you could make up a table determining how many cars a single axle can move on you model railroad and adjust it to the axle limits (or make your own). Regards, Volker
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