Need Some More Advice

[patriothonor]

I have a small N Scale layout with 3 sidings. I have 5 locos with sound and all the goodies. A steamer, small switcher, 3 more Diesels. One is a Bachmann Union Pacific with double engines. Getting lots of rolling stock now, but wondering how much load I can pull without overloading or damaging the engines. Any suggestions?
I'll try to send a Utube video once it's uploaded.
patriothonor
Jack

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[new guy]

???? That is the FUN part! Go ahead and load em till they squeal!

Not really, just keep adding one or two and see, all Loco's are different.

No hard and fast rule as to a limit, grades and curves will throw any 'calculations' out the window!

They won't explode in a shrapnel spraying cloud (I hope!) the worst probably is you will spin the wheels and know it is too much to pull.

 

[patriothonor]

That sounds like good advice. I'll try to see what they'll do.
Thanks
patriothonor
Jack

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[Iron Horseman]

I have a small N Scale layout with 3 sidings. I have 5 locos with sound and all the goodies. A steamer, small switcher, 3 more Diesels. One is a Bachmann Union Pacific with double engines. Getting lots of rolling stock now, but wondering how much load I can pull without overloading or damaging the engines. Any suggestions?

The real way to do it is to measure the current draw of each locomotive in what is called a "full slip" mode. Each locomotive should have a max current draw stated by the manufacturer. If you would put an amp meter to measure the track, put on the locomotive, then hold the loco by the coupler, crank up the throttle so it is running full tilt with the wheels spinning. Record how many amps it draws. If the measured amps is under the manufactures specs you should not burn it out.

If you don't have a DCC amp meter, that spinning of wheels is still a good sign. If you add cars and eventually the loco's wheels spin it won't burn out. If you add cars and the loco stalls beware.

Running a train slowly under heavy load could be bad for the locos. Once again the real measure would be to compare the rated amps vs actual amps in a given situation.

 

[new guy]

LOL! The 'real' way? Really? I was really adding real load to the loco's really slowly so it would really show what was really happening!

But I really was not really running them really that slow so I really don't know. LOL!

 

[santafewillie]

The old rule of thumb in HO at least, was two cars for every powered engine axle. I believe I read somewhere years ago that this applied to N-scale as well. However I regularly pull 18-20 car trains with 2-GP's, which is 2 1/4 to 2 1/2 cars per axle. Of course my passing sidings are maxed out at 24 car lengths so I really haven't tried anything longer.
Willie

 

[Iron Horseman]

I was really adding real load to the loco's really slowly so it would really show what was really happening!

Yes, I wasn't disagreeing with you. That will demonstrate what a loco will really pull, but it will not show if it is going to burn itself out doing so.

I know from experience. I had an Atlas SD24 which I reworked adding more weight, reworked gears, electrical pick up, and remotored. I demonstrated that it could pull 50 cars up a 2.5% grade around two 36" radius corners. It did it all right, but also fried the motor in the process. After that it always had that funny burnt wire insulation smell to it, and never again has it run properly. I should have put it on a meter to see it was pulling more amps than the manufacture's specs. Especially since I had the NWSL spec sheet sitting right in front of me.

 

[montanan]

You really can't overload the locomotives because as mentioned the wheels will just spin when there are too many cars for the locomotive to pull. I purposely built a 2% grade into my layout to limit the number of cars that a locomotive could pull up the grade. Most of the diesels are the same locomotive and it works out that 14 cars plus a caboose was about the limit a single locomotive could comfortably pull up the grade. When I got to 16 or 17 the locomotive would just sit and the wheels would spin. This won't hurt the locomotive.

For me the 14 car limit was what I built the capacity of passing sidings. For longer trains having to go up the grade, additional locomotives are added. Here's a video of a longer train heading up the grade. I just keep adding locomotives or freight cars to the train so the locomotives can pull the train without slipping.

[video=youtube;wFIIWvaTiIk]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wFIIWvaTiIk[/video]

You didn't mention whether or not you were running DCC. DCC locomotives can easily be programmed to run at the same speeds if a helper is needed. I am running DC, but these Atlas locomotives all run at the same speed and I have no problem running multiple units together. Steam locomotive in general won't pull as many cars as a diesel will. My layout has been in operation for quite a while and I pretty well know the capacity of each steamer.

 

[logandsawman]

Just for the fun of it, here is a single powered Athearn F-7 pulling 22 cars, up a hill and around a curve, none the less!!

Of course, this is HO scale, but it will depend on how freely your wheels roll as well as several other factors!

[video=youtube;cUoa_nG3L24]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cUoa_nG3L24[/video]

 

[Beady]

Stupid question: Does "Until the wheels spin" mean wheels with, or without, traction tires? I'm asking because I've got an N scale Model Power Challenger that doesn't have traction tires, and can only handle 5 passenger cars on a 3% (?) grade and 11 on the flat. I'm planning to add Bullfrog Snot.

Oh crap!

 

[montanan]

That sure is a wimpy locomotive. Not at all impressive. The spinning really wouldn't matter either with or without bullfrog snot, but with it, spinning could damage the bullfrog snot and it may have to be reapplied. I have a little Bachmann 2-6-0 that is about worthless on my grades, 4 to 5 cars will have the drivers spinning. It has been assigned to pull 2 passenger cars for the rest of its days most likely.

By the way, the only stupid question is the one that isn't asked.

 

[new guy]

Yes, I wasn't disagreeing with you. That will demonstrate what a loco will really pull, but it will not show if it is going to burn itself out doing so.

I know from experience. I had an Atlas SD24 which I reworked adding more weight, reworked gears, electrical pick up, and remotored. I demonstrated that it could pull 50 cars up a 2.5% grade around two 36" radius corners. It did it all right, but also fried the motor in the process. After that it always had that funny burnt wire insulation smell to it, and never again has it run properly. I should have put it on a meter to see it was pulling more amps than the manufacture's specs. Especially since I had the NWSL spec sheet sitting right in front of me.

LOL! You have saved me from myself again! I was going to 'damn the torpedoes' and go 4-6% but I don't think that is such a good idea anymore. My lil H-10 switcher 'quit' pulling and spun at about 25 cars on straight, flat/level track, the DD40 has not been stopped by 40+ so far but it's a 'Beast' of a Loco! I have a large spectrum of loco's and may still put a short steep one in there somewhere.

 

[patriothonor]

Wow! That's quite impressive! Nice layout. Haven't tried running multiple locos yet, but gonna give it a try soon. I'm running DCC.

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[patriothonor]

Just for the fun of it, here is a single powered Athearn F-7 pulling 22 cars, up a hill and around a curve, none the less!!

Of course, this is HO scale, but it will depend on how freely your wheels roll as well as several other factors!

[video=youtube;cUoa_nG3L24]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cUoa_nG3L24[/video]

Wow, that's very impressive also. Nice layout.

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[patriothonor]

Thanks to all of you for your responses. They've been very informative and helpful. I'm just a beginner at this and learning fast with your help. Gonna try once again to post latest short video of my small N Scale Layout
Haven't quite finished it yet
patriothonor
Jack

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[new guy]

Thanks to all of you for your responses. They've been very informative and helpful. I'm just a beginner at this and learning fast with your help. Gonna try once again to post latest short video of my small N Scale Layout
Haven't quite finished it yet
patriothonor
Jack

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This site has saved me money and time beyond counting! I'm a total newb and I am only parroting the advice I have gotten here. My only parting of the ways with the 'masters' is the drop feeder issue, I am living proof they are not as important as has been postulated.

 

[RBMNfan]

I used to run 50 car trains with three 6 axle locomotives on my nscale layout. If I remember correctly I think I could even get away with two locomotives on most trains. The 4 axle locomotives have a lot less traction and only pulled about 15 cars per locomotive. My 'local' trains needed two 4 axle locomotives to handle the 20+- car trains. This was using current production locomotives and cars. I know some of the older stuff has more rolling resistance and some guys used to add tiny springs to the trucks to prevent cars from rolling off sidings installed on slight grade. I have noticed in HO that some cars have a lot more rolling resistance.

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