hi,
this might sound like an extreme measure. in theory it might work. use a rough grit sandpaper, maybe 180 grit; rub the paper on the track at a 90 degree angle and see if that works. also use the paper on the wheels too. a rough track surface may inprove traction but at the same time its going to make cleaning of the track difficult in the future. a better idea is to reduce the grade angle. if possible.
just a thought.
michael EssPee all the way
I will echo some of the others with adivce, but maybe put them in order if I were you.
Make sure all your rolling stock is in good shape. Clean trucks, metal wheels, all very free rolling cars.
Healthy power. Add some weigth maybe, make sure they are working well together. Sounds like you have quite the consist going. If the engines run well, then you are good. But if one is too slow to keep up with the other two... the extra engine could be doing more harm than good. As it would just be getting dragged.
Last option: Treat it like a real rail road. Add more power, or cut down the train size. Its what the real one would do. Best of luck.
Best Regards, Big John
Kiva Valley Railway- Freelanced road in central Arizona. Visit the link to see my MR forum thread on The Building of the Whitton Branch on the Kiva Valley Railway
REAL Railroads add engines to pull cars up grades. Why not you?
Most mainline grades are under 2%, Santa Fe had several 2.2%. Pictures show 5-6 passenger cars per 'F' unit on 'flat', and helpers on grades - ABBA with 21 cars + an extra ABBA set for same train up Cajon.
Add engines, reduce grades, or BOTH.
Most model electric engine;s pulling exceed the engines they imitate. I guess REALISM hasn't cought up with your EXPECTATIONS.
Dave,
We have a 3% grade with 28" radius curves. Our Broadway Limited F7AB has no trouble pulling 26 cars. All the cars have metal wheelsets though. None of our other locos seem to have a problem with 3%. The 3% is not on the mainline, so the only reason for pulling that many cars would be to get it out of the way for construction projects.
Our logging line has a stretch that is 6%, but we might only pull 5 disconnects or sketeton cars.
Do the wheels on the cars or the track need cleaning?
Sue
Anything is possible if you do not know what you are talking about.
Modeling the Rio Grande Southern First District circa 1938-1946 in HOn3.
David Parks I am the terror that flaps in the night!
My P2K Heritage USRA 0-6-0 would barely shove 2 loaded red ore cars up my last layout's 3.6% mine spure. Now that I only present it with 2.9%-3% grades, it will almost pull two of the considerably larger and heavier BLI H2a coal hoppers with loads!
Still, 3% is a very steep grade, one that will require adjustment in operations. Either I use helpers, or I reduce the weight of my trains, just like the real guys do. I have never tested my engines to see how much they can pull, but I would be surprised if my heavy die-cast Lionel Challenger could pull a typical Limited passenger train up my 3% grades. I guess I should test it.
Ive got a straight 4% grade on mine, due to a needed shelf hieght change.
I use my 2 modified Atlas GP40s to pull up to 20 cars up this grade.
16 sounds like alot
I need 2 proto 2000's to get 12 free rolling cars up my midland grade
K:
It is very dependant on the locomotives, obviously some pull better than others. Other major factors are the weight of the cars and how well they roll. Adding weight to your locos can help improve traction, but adding too much can cause excessive stress on the motor, and with athearn RTR or Genesis diesels snapping driveshafts also becomes an issue. I run long trains, but I have free rolling cars and powerful locomotives when I do so.
My advice is to buy a truck tuner, it will make your cars roll much better. Also switch cars over to metal wheelsets cost permitting, they roll easier and dont leave gunk on the track so you will have to clean track less often. The simplest solution of course is just to use more locomotives