3.5% grade, engine to cars ratio?

[Boyd]

With a 3.5% grade, how many cars per engine could handle that steep of a grade. I have one Lionel GP9 8158 DMIR 4 wheel drive with rubber tires and 2 newer Lionel 8 wheel drive GP7s. I mosly run after 70 newer cars. Boyd.

[wrmcclellan]

Boyd,

Check out this forum link. It should be useful for you.

http://www.trains.com/community/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=19262

As of now - the link is on page 11 and the topic is "Grade building using Gargraves.. how steep" and was originally posted on July 30, 2004 by Heartman.

Regards

[Big_Boy_4005]

Boyd, it depends on how heavy the cars are, and how much weight is in the engine. I would think 4 or 5 average cars per engine at that grade. 998-1005, don't lose it this time.[swg]