What's the most cars you pull?

[4kitties]

I usually run a 25-30 car freight on my outer loop and an 8-12 car passenger train on my inner loop.  Overall train length varies depending on the motive power.

Joel

[Berk765]

I usually pull about 5 or 6 freight cars. Sometimes I pull 13, which is all the traditionaly sized freight cars I have. I also have 3 MTH railking Pensylvania Passenger cars. I'm looking for one with a platform to go on the end so my passenger train will be complete.

[runtime]

When this thread started, I got curious and put what I thought was one of my best (early postwar lionel NYC F3 ABA) in front of 10 or so freights that were handy - mostly heavy early postwar. To my surprise the F3 struggled some, actually losing traction over the plastic parts of some 022 switches (layout is ~12 x 15, 031).

I had memories of pulling longer trains, so I concluded a major clean and lub was in order.

Along the way it dawned on me that not all rolling stock is alike in weight, and the number of cars pulled answer, when not restricted by length of loop or min radius of curvers, will be a function of which cars. For example, an early 6014 9" box car with diecast trucks weighs 8oz, while a late one with plastic trucks weighs 6oz. Some early cars which additionally have diecast frames or plates are heavier still (haven't weighed).

So maybe the max cars answer, space and curvature permitting is a function of number of axles/cars and total weight being pulled.  I my 031 layout, I suspect the limit will ultimately be when the drag exceeds what the couplers can hold without slipping one above the other.

Currently I'm pulling a mixed freight of 5 early postwar with diecast trucks, 6 late with plastic trucks, and 2 KMT (heavy) with a 646. More will be added as I get them cleaned and lubed, and I'll be focusing on the lightweights! I'm curious whether which engine is out front will even become a factor, versus being limited by slipped couplers, ie- can I pull more with an F3 than with the 646?

runtime

 

Update> Today the 646 pulled a 15 car mixed freight weighing 28oz, not counting the tender. Had to rearrange cars several times to cure slipped couplers and mystery derailments. I'l keep adding cars as I service them - gives me an incentive to keep at that dirty, finger bruising job.

runtime

[zeames1]

On my outer track I can pull five 15" passenger cars with an F-3 ABA and have room to park it while I do some switching with my switchers. The inner track can accomodate a 10 car freight with room to park and switch also. My layout is 6' x 14' with plenty of switching options. I can pull whatever I like on the FCTT club layout, but I'll max out at twenty five to thirty.

[runtime]

When this thread started, I got curious and put what I thought was one of my best (early postwar lionel NYC F3 ABA) in front of 10 or so freights that were handy - mostly heavy early postwar. To my surprise the F3 struggled some, actually losing traction over the plastic parts of some 022 switches (layout is ~12 x 15, 031).

I had memories of pulling longer trains, so I concluded a major clean and lub was in order.

Along the way it dawned on me that not all rolling stock is alike in weight, and the number of cars pulled answer, when not restricted by length of loop or min radius of curvers, will be a function of which cars. For example, an early 6014 9" box car with diecast trucks weighs 8oz, while a late one with plastic trucks weighs 6oz. Some early cars which additionally have diecast frames or plates are heavier still (haven't weighed).

So maybe the max cars answer, space and curvature permitting is a function of number of axles/cars and total weight being pulled.  I my 031 layout, I suspect the limit will ultimately be when the drag exceeds what the couplers can hold without slipping one above the other.

Currently I'm pulling a mixed freight of 5 early postwar with diecast trucks, 6 late with plastic trucks, and 2 KMT (heavy) with a 646. More will be added as I get them cleaned and lubed, and I'll be focusing on the lightweights! I'm curious whether which engine is out front will even become a factor, versus being limited by slipped couplers, ie- can I pull more with an F3 than with the 646?

runtime

 

[runtime]

Dave, I just viewed your video. The layout and video are both stunning! You are a very talented guy.

I noticed that you created "structural beams" under the tracks on the lionel trestles. Thats much more realistic looking than just attaching the tracto the trestle as designed by lionel. I'm planning to reinstall some lionel trestles, and I was wondering what you used, and how you fastened the track.

runtime

[dsmith]

Thanks everyone for the compliments.  It is a fun layout.  Running 4 trains at a time does keep me on my toes and certainly adds lots of action.  If I clear the tracks and only run one train, I have an automatic setting where the train will run around the inside loop 1  1/2 times then automatically switch to the outside track for 1 1/2 times, then repeat.  That is a fun way to run too.  Here is the track plan, it evolved.  Origionally it was only the inside up and under loop with the 2 sidings that came from an 4'x8' 027 track plan in Model Railroader from a couple years ago.  After a while I added the outside loops and the switches to go back an forth.  There was 5" of wasted space between the 2 loops so I squeezed in the trolley that bumps back and forth.  I added a timer for the trolley so that it stops at each end for a minute before returning(but that's another story).  Finally I realized that there was room at the front and back of the layout for 2 more long sidings, but I had to shorten the Lionel switches to do this.  I removed as much of the curved part of the switch as I could so that the siding would end up closer to the mainline.  This was necessary because I had run out of room at that point, so the only way was to squeeze in the 2 sidings.  This also resulted in no wasted space between tracks, which is very important on such a small layout.  In the last couple months I have added a small 2'x5' extention to the lower right corner that has my custom made transfer table and room for 9 engines to sit, but that is a future story too.

 

[RockIsland52]

David,

I am in awe of the action you have packed on a 9' x 5' layout......four trains running simultaneously but cohesively, not including the trollies, plus all of the operating accesories, buildings, people, and landscaping.  Truly amazing.

Took your youtube ride but did not heed the 2018 engineer's advice and kept hitting my head on that light stanchion's orange ladder.  I don't know if that is what made me dizzy or all of that action on the board.

Amazing.  I suggest everyone use David's link and view his layout video.

Jack  

[dmestan]

David, great layout!  A lot of action packed in there.  Do you happen to have a track plan to share?

Don

[ChiefEagles]

Wes, even more amazing is he builds his own rolling stock and engines.

[Wes Whitmore]

David,

I remember seeing your layout when I first started a litele over a year ago.  I was amazed by how much you have going on in such a small space.  I'm still amazed...it's a great layout.  There is so much going on that it's hard to see exactly what you have in the center.  The youtube video helps some.  If you have any still shots of that, I would love to see them.

Thanks,

Wes

[dsmith]

Hi Jack,

Yes there are 2 separate loops and a trolley line that runs between the wasted space of the inner and outer loops.  One is a simple loop around the outside and the inside loop is a twice around over and under.  On each loop I can run 2 separate trains, keeping them separated by using Lionels stop track idea from the 1950's that will stop a train automatically if it approaches to close.  The stop tracks also activate my semaphores so it's fun to see the semaphore go from green to red and automatically stop the train.  When the semaphore goes to green, the train will then automatically proceed.  It works great as long as the 2 trains are somewhat matched in speed.

The layout sits freely on top of the base and can be pulled out to get to the back.  Since I am working on a confined section of the basement, here is how I made the best use out of the space.  The base is a simple construction made of 3 sections of inexpensive particle board that is 38" high.  The 2 sides of the base are 4' wide and the back is 8' wide.  The 2 sides are screwed to the back with 3" deck screws.  You now have a giant C shaped structure.  At the front edges of the C, I glued and screwed  2x4's 38" long at the front edges of each side.  Then I bolted an 8' 2x4 across the top edge to the 2 2x4's.  The base sits about 14" from the back wall of the room.  Then the 5'x9' layout sits on top, up against the wall.  When you need to get to the back of the layout, you just pull it forward about 14", which is just about enough room to squeeze behind.  I used finished paneling across the front, held in place with magnetic door catches.  On the edge I used matching outside corner molding glued to the front panel.  Inside there is just enough storage for 16 plastic containers.  This is important since our house doesn't have enough storage.

Here is a link to a video of my layout in action.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mI5SrbCNeKM

 

[RockIsland52]

David (dsmith),

Nice!  Loved not only the layout but the finish work and storage as well. I am certain that you have opened a lot of eyes as to the possibilities on 5'X9' layout.

I kept enlarging the photo of your layout and can't tell if you have 2 separate loops (main level) with the upper level part of one of those two.  Also, how do you get to the farther reaches to do work or rerail derailments......does the layout move?

Thanks,

Jack  

[ChiefEagles]

David, that is a great layout.  Looks really good with great scenery.  That is where I am lacking.

[fjerome]

my lionmaster big boy usually has 19 reefers and a caboose. it could pull more, but that is what fits on my longest passing siding.

[IronHoarse]

At present I only have 16 cars and I usually pull them all.  When I pull them with my PRR ABA set, It makes for a nice long train.  At least for now.

[dsmith]

If you have trouble sleeping at night, take a look at this video of the Chi-Town layout and try counting the 5 diesels pulling 210 two bay coal hoppers as well as other mixed freight consists not quite as long.  I have been there and it is the most amazing layout I have ever seen.  It's 2 rail O gauge with hand laid rails and wood ties that are spiked just like real track with over 1 actual mile of track!!!!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JSBceamRhiA

 

[Jumijo]

David,

You have a wonderful layout! Well executed and just a great looker from top to bottom!

Jim 

[dsmith]

My Layout is 027 and 5' x 9'

Passenger - 4 cars

Freight - 7 cars

and you still have fun.  I had a great time when I was a kid and mine was 4X8 on saw benches in the upstairs.  Spent many an hour up there running, uncoupling, unloading and loading cows and making the train [just one 2055] do lots of things. 

Yes!! You're right, I'm having a great time with my small layout and trains pulling 4 - 7 cars, and I am very content with what I do have.  It only takes a modest amount of money and space to have fun.    You can always daydream about what you think would be your ultimate layout, but it's important in this hobby to enjoy what you have at this moment in time.

  I do enjoy seeing the large layouts with lots of cars and expensive engines.  I once saw the Chi-Town Layout 2 rail O gauge layout in Commerce, Michigan and there was a 5 engine consist pulling 170 two bay hopper cars, the train went on forever.  Wow!!  The owner claims to have pulled a consist of 327 hopper cars!!!  This is not a misprint..can you imagine this!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Here is a link telling all about this amazing layout.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qqxV4EN9eq4&feature=related

 

[sir james I]

I made my first table from wooden orange crates so my parents decided if I wanted a table that bad, I got one. It was about 5 by 9 so the train size was small but so was my fleet of cars.

[ChiefEagles]

My Layout is 027 and 5' x 9'

Passenger - 4 cars

Freight - 7 cars

and you still have fun.  I had a great time when I was a kid and mine was 4X8 on saw benches in the upstairs.  Spent many an hour up there running, uncoupling, unloading and loading cows and making the train [just one 2055] do lots of things. 

[dsmith]

My Layout is 027 and 5' x 9'

Passenger - 4 cars

Freight - 7 cars

[spankybird]

AT a recent OTTS meeting, we pulled 37 cars and could have added more.

 

[tomtaras]

 

on my elevated loop, i am operating what i call my caterpillar train-two cat sd90 diesels from mth and 20 flat cars plus a cat caboose with cat equipment-from 1 to 3 pieces of die cast equipment on each car-heavy load but with the diesels lashed up, no problem.

 

[runtime]

ChiefEagles,

That's very nice stuff! Is that Lionel fastrack, and is it on carpet or plywood, I can't tell. Also, is there a grade between those rooms?

-runtime

[runtime]

Good Question!

I currently don't run trains longer than I can park on a siding, since I have a single track main line loop.

That works out to 10 prewar tinplates + adopter car behind an early postwar steamer, or 8 or 9 postwar behind a stronger, later steamer. The F3s are just waiting for a chance to play when the layout grows.

In the old days, I remember my dad and I would add cars until the load would start to pull the couplers open on some cars, or some would derail on the O-31 curves. We had lots of room, but I don't remember our max.

runtime

[palallin]

Seven K-Line Heavyweights or 6+ Standard O behind Standard O Steam Engines on 55 or so feet of Gragraves Phantom mainline with a 3% ruling grade in a folded dogbone (O42 minimum curves) on  5.5 x 17' layout.  The limiting factor is traction:  I have a steamer that will pull all the cars and more on the level but spins on the top of the grade with either complete train.  Traction tires on the other pull either train easily; I've never tried both.

 

I once pulled almost a complete O42, 4' x 8' oval full of cars behind an MPC U-boat paired with a LTI Geep--both single-motored.  I had to weigh down the light, MPC boxcars.

[zeames1]

40-50 on the Club Layout, 10 - 12 at home looks reasonable.

http://www.fctt-hirailers.com/

Jim

[JimM]

I have a 8X8 layout with 2 trains and a hand car on 3 different tracks. I ran what came with the Pennsylvania set. The PA RR came with 3 cars not counting the tender, however, I have more Lionel cars I could add. Also, I run the Polar Express pulling 4 cars not counting the tender. Looks nice, but I also have 4 more PE cars that I could add to the length. However, I never have run them all the same time because the layout looks too small. Which brings me to a question... Wouldn't the length of the train depend on the engine pulling it??

What would determine the length vs engine power?? Keep adding cars till it won't move? Then, wouldn't that be harmfull to the engine? Expensive engines vs cheap engines? I am not sure.

Jim

[phillyreading]

Hey Chief,

I like the Norfolk Southern engines you have! Have seen the real locomotives on FEC(Florida East Coast) tracks going through Stuart FL on way to Miami FL, sometimes they had two large diesels(SD70's, assume they were that) or four GP-60's lashed together for very long train of almost two and half miles long.

The shortline that you refer to it(CSX) is on the other side of town, sometimes they have five locomotives together, anything from a GP-38 to what looks like an SD-60.

Just for info, Amtrac trains are usually about 12 cars long with two locomotives, sometimes only one locomotive and eight cars, occasionally a car carrier.  One time I tried to keep up with an Amtrac train, road was parallel for almost 60 miles on highway 710, Amtrac was going over 80 MPH!! Stretch of road was from Lake Okeechobee to West Palm Beach FL.

Lee F.