I just bought a Athearn Genesis HO BNSF RTR SD60M Loco it runs great, problem is it seems to be slipping when i have around 18-25 box cars on it all my boxcars are exact-rail models, so is this to much to ask of this loco?
Yes it is...apparently. Very few scale locomotives can equal the pulling power in the trailing tonnage of the prototype. Grades, rolling resistance in the wheel journals and bearings, curves, and even the weight of the cars all conspired to rob your engine(s) of their tractive effort. At some point the wheels slip.
Most of us want grades, and we compromise in some ways to get trains longer. We double or triple engines, even add pushers. Or we reduce our grades, widen curves, or reduce the trailing tonnage, just like they do in the real world.
Some of us have resorted to traction tires, or to Bull Frog Snot. I have used both and don't mind either. The BFS stakes some trials to get it on well, but that happens, and you will find your engines able to pull more. Note that this harder pulling comes at the expense of longevity, particularly for the rods on steamers.
Crandell
It seems the latest offerings from Athearn are a little lite on their feet. I have several old blue box locos that outweigh my AC4400 by about 6 ounces. If you can it would benefit the pulling power greatly by adding a few ounces of weight inside the shell. My Spectrum K4 could only pull 3 heavyweight cars on the clubs layout. I stuffed a few ounces of lead sheet inside the boiler evenly between the front and back and now it pulls 7 cars up the grade. Just as little as 3 ounces more than doubled the pulling power.
Pete
I pray every day I break even, Cause I can really use the money!
I started with nothing and still have most of it left!
bear's lair I just bought a Athearn Genesis HO BNSF RTR SD60M Loco it runs great, problem is it seems to be slipping when i have around 18-25 box cars on it all my boxcars are exact-rail models, so is this to much to ask of this loco?
That is not unusual for some locos. Just add weight. I use lead shot. Sheet lead works also.
Rich
If you ever fall over in public, pick yourself up and say “sorry it’s been a while since I inhabited a body.” And just walk away.
Bear, if you just got it, give the wheels a little time to break in as well. As they break in you may gain a little more in pulling powers. I have a PK 2000 SD 7 that out of the box would only pull 15 to 18 cars. Ran it as a MU engine for sometime. One day I used it by it self an it pulled 25 cars.
Weights will work wonders, I have a Athearn RTR Dash 9 that I added about 3 oz to. Pulls 25 cars with no problem now. Personally, I would limit the engine to around 20 cars. The drive shafts are not overly robust in there RTR engines. I have broken 3 drive shafts and now have a bag of them for repairs.
Cuda Ken
I hate Rust
Agreed. Sometimes the loco's wheels have a light oil on them for protection. Give them a good cleaning and try again.
Also are you pulling the cars on a level track or on an incline?
Springfield PA
Thanks for all the great advice. I have added some stick on wheel weights inside the shell and wallah!! it is doing wonders, i agree with how many cars to pull i will limit it to 15 cars just to be safe i do not want to have to repair this loco.