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Marc, I made the same mistake I think you may have made when I was first starting out. I made my grade based on what my engine would still go up without slipping. An engine alone will climb a steeper grade than it will when pulling a line of cars. If your grades can not be reduced at either end, then you will be better off to do what the real railroads do, add helper engines, (MU-Multiple Units). I have seen trains with as many as 8 units (engines) at the head end (front) with 4 more in the middle of the train, and 5 at the rear pushing. That was on the Union Pacific and the grade was 2%, but the train was long and they were pulling 19,000 tons! Real engines don't have rubber tires. If those rubber tires do not slip, you can burn up your motors, so be careful! Let us know how it comes out. OK?
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