I have used the 2 cars per powered drive axle rule for years in N scale. That is a 6 axle unit - limit it at 12 cars MAX, I try to keep each engine around 75% of max (That is 9 cars) Two 6 axle units would be 18 cars and three 6 axle units would be 27 cars running at 75% max tonnage/tractive effort or what ever you would want to call that in N scale.

The prototype railroads have the same issue. 😁 This is why we have helpers/DPUs!

I use tungsten fishing weights to weight my locos for this very reason.. tungsten is more dense than lead. It doesn’t prevent wheel spin completely but it does help.

Great video gave me the imput needed to design my layout. Thanks.

Thanks for this video. This proves why longer trains are double headed at least or more with bankers and DPU's in the consists.

WoW, your layout is just awesome! I wish I could still afford to model RR, it was so relaxing and made me so happy. Great channel and fantastic layout.

Here in Saint John New Brunswick we got the steepest long running grade in Canada with a s curve as part. CPR and NBSR both used and use helper units on freights. there has at 3 runaways on the line during NBSR and at least 3 stale outs needing extra power. our former model railroad was basic a two level and getting from the lower to the top we had a good 4% grade and a switch back..its all fun and learning power and pulling.

I struggle with the same thing. I like running MU's though, but sometimes even then it's a struggle. Getting ready to do a mild rebuild on one of my more troublesome spots. Thanks for the information and affirmation.

Great video! I've had to get more into speed matching on my new layout (which I dont have any videos of) because I can now run 20+ car freight trains and they look great. With the exception of my Atlas Trainmasters, everything else stalls out although, Im pretty sure the Trainmasters could pulle the siding off a house if you asked them to. Even at the edge of performance though, its fun from an operations perspective to have to actually operate each train up the two big grades on my layout, just like running up a grade on the real thing.

Very useful video. Thanks

I enjoyed this video. I pre-planned my entire layout (operational yard, sidings, runarounds, grades, etc) for 10-11 car trains. Having a max car length in your mind before building a layout really helps when planning grades/turns

Very informative video. I learned the hard way. I stalled many times till i found the right amount of cars or getting a good running start. 😂. Wish I would have seen this years ago. Great video

That was an awesome video! It was very interesting to see your experiment and how much the inclines, turns and switches all play in the performance of the ability to pull cars before stalling out. Thanks for sharing this with us.

I add weight to my locomotives whenever possible. I use lead tape or weights. Lead tape I use to fill in empty low clearance spaces in shells. If it isn’t a sound decoder, I put weight where speakers would go. Most of my 6 axle locos will pull 20 cars up a 2%. We will see how they do on a 42 in diameter 2.5% helix with 6.5 turns

Great video. I am building in HO, my layout has 3 levels and a 60 inch diameter helix connecting it all. It will be interesting operating the layout.

I believe you will have to make a chart and rules on your layout for pulling. Also speeds with multiple locomotives and rules for additions of helpers also. I have such a chart started for my N scale. A person will have to follow and learn how to really negotiate the hills and curves.

Great video, especially the running shots around the industrial area., it looks fantastic, however I assume prototypically 26 car consists, would have been double or triple headed ? In any case your layout is looking brilliant now you have a complete circuit, will continue to enjoy your content. Tx again Mark

hello Nscaler454 & it's is Randy and i like yours video is cool & Thanks Nsacler 454 Friends Randy

This is a test... this is only a test. Thank you!! Just thought I'd help out.

I saw the title of this video and said to myself "Well he's clearly describing my layout...". I am in a tight space and wanted as much action as possible so some of my grades are around 4-4.5% and some of my initial curves were 11" but I've widened most of those out to around 15" but its still objectionably curvy and hilly. Unless you're a larger steam engine or a multiple unit diesel you're not hauling long trains on my mainline alone.

For me, this is actually good. This lets you simulate real(ish) world conditions and requires a helper unit or two to be added just to get over the incline.

You need a DPU in the middle 😊

It takes me 4, 6 axle and 2, 4 axle units in MU to get a 30 car coal train up a 3% grade in the 180 degree turn portion of my layout. The rest of the layout can get away with 3 or 4 6 axle's at up to 3% grade in straight sections and 2% in curves.

If you are working with locomotives with traction tires, you may need to have some spares. You will go through traction tires rather quickly when they are stressed,

When I first started my collection of US-themed models I was very surprised as to the pulling power of the model engines from the likes of Kato, Atlas, etc. as I was able to compare them to some of my existing British outline models. At the time I had a folded figure of 8 on a U-shaped layout with one arm slightly longer than the other, and based on the UK n scale ratio of 1:148 I had a 35ft run equal to a scale mile. British stock behind a Class 66 with 20 bogie coal hoppers not a problem. An equal length train of US hoppers with an SD60 on the head struggled in a similar manner as to what you've shown. Is it down to the respective scales - 1:148 vs 1:160 and what can be fitted within the respective locomotive bodies? I know that the 9mm track gauge is a compromise, as is the UK scale, because of the loading gauge used on the prototype in this country (echoes of the Victorian age) which also accounts for the difference in OO and HO.

Just another reason to buy more locomotives!! Im just getting around to learning how to program and speed match. I just paired up a couple of SD90s and CV5 is set at about 25mph (max speed for my railroad) and on my 2% grade, they are brought down to a nice crawl with a decent size cut of cars behind them. Every train on my layout will be around 40 cars max, and i have determined will need 3 locomotives on the head, or run as a 2×1 DP configuration. Coal and grain trains i could run 4 up front and still look prototypical, but if need more than 3 on a freight train, I'll have to run a 2x2 or 2x1x1 configuration to appear compliant with powered axle rules (NS)

Hi there, just a quick question will 16 inch radius curved track work for Gevo locomotives I'm planning an expansion on my layout and was wondering if these curves would work for these locomotives. Your videos are great keep posting them.

Could you try 2 speed matched locomotives together? I had a particular experience when I was trying similar stuff. I had a 4 axle that could do 5 cars max alone (and it slipped) and a 6 axle that could do 8 cars max able to pull 15 cars when together up the same hill! I'm curious to see if it was only my setup that was particular or if it is how it works.

You have to increase the speed of the train prior to incline. Any one who had geometry and physics in high school knows that

I believe the max my Kato SD70M was able to pull up a 4% grade was 9. I did a video of it on my channel. Love what you are doing on your layout. Great work man! I have been wanting to ask…the 454 in your channel name…what’s the car to go with it?

Have you tried to add one more traction tire on the drive wheels. Because I think that it slips more than anything and the motor can handle it.

I'm surprised you didn't put a one layer helix to compensate for the hill height.

Does any of the rolling stock have additional weight beyond out of the box weight?

I have a solution, absolutely send it

So I don't believe I ever heard you say on all your runs max cars half the cars are you running the locomotive at full speed..?

Is it not abusing the engine?

Class one roads should not be grades tougher than two percent, that is one in fifty,e g not more than one inch in fifty onch

The Curves Shouldn’t be The Problem you Put speed On that train And To Be Honest With a Load Like That There Should Be 2 Engines On That that is a Great way To Burn Out one Locomotive Fast.Come On Think About it🤔

zzzzzZZZZZZ

Train too heavy? Just add more locomotives LOL

On the railroad on work on, we have 2% grades and some sharp curves. We have SD-40-2 power. We always need 2 horse per ton to pull the hill. An SD-40-2 is 3000 hp, we had cars that were 130 tons. About 8-10 cars per locomotive. So your model, is about spot on.

Hello, does this channel allow comments