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I have wanted an idea of how my Blackstone equipment would perform on a steep grade. This afternoon I set up some straight sections of Protraxx track (like Peco's Unitrack, uses same joiners, but is HOn3 gauge) right on top of my 4% switchback on my On30 layout. I did some tests with my locos and here is what I found:
C-19 2-8-0 can handle a maximum of:
4 freight cars
2 freight cars with caboose
2 freight cars with coach
2 coaches
In my opinion, this is a reasonable expectation for such a steep grade, I am not one of those who expect to march an 8-car train up a 4% grade with a C-19...that's a job for a big K-26 mikado!
K-27 2-8-2 'Mudhen' can handle a maximum of:
5 freight cars
4 freight cars with caboose (a little iffy here, the loco was right on the line of slipping but ok - the wipers in the caboose cause drag, and I could remove them to make the caboose perform essentially the same as a freight car)
5 freight cars with coach (proof that 5 freight cars and a caboose without wipers would work)
3 coaches
For the record, these tests were conducted first with a start at level track gradually transitioning to 4%, then a start on the full grade at low speed. These were comfortable limits, adding cars began to show hints that the drivers were slipping (or adhesion was questionable).
Also, the freight cars were empty (no loads in open cars), the coaches have no pickup wipers (which cause a bit of drag on the wheels), and the caboose has pickup wipers. I may swap out the caboose trucks with a set without the wipers installed, since I have no plans currently to add the optional decoders for illumination.
A few design considerations from these tests:
You can get away with 4% assuming you don't mind the short trains
To allow the longest train at the above limits, a tail track must accommodate a train 39" long (K-27, 5 freight cars and coach)
Although my current tail track is only 13", I could easily add a 24" swing-down extension that would go into the hallway a bit...should not be a problem...so I could use existing benchwork if necessary to avoid the cost of a whole new layout construction project, just an option
The HOn3 looks tiny on my layout next to my On30 trains, even the little ones...this will provide a lot more space for fun
C-19 2-8-0 can handle a maximum of:
4 freight cars
2 freight cars with caboose
2 freight cars with coach
2 coaches
In my opinion, this is a reasonable expectation for such a steep grade, I am not one of those who expect to march an 8-car train up a 4% grade with a C-19...that's a job for a big K-26 mikado!
K-27 2-8-2 'Mudhen' can handle a maximum of:
5 freight cars
4 freight cars with caboose (a little iffy here, the loco was right on the line of slipping but ok - the wipers in the caboose cause drag, and I could remove them to make the caboose perform essentially the same as a freight car)
5 freight cars with coach (proof that 5 freight cars and a caboose without wipers would work)
3 coaches
For the record, these tests were conducted first with a start at level track gradually transitioning to 4%, then a start on the full grade at low speed. These were comfortable limits, adding cars began to show hints that the drivers were slipping (or adhesion was questionable).
Also, the freight cars were empty (no loads in open cars), the coaches have no pickup wipers (which cause a bit of drag on the wheels), and the caboose has pickup wipers. I may swap out the caboose trucks with a set without the wipers installed, since I have no plans currently to add the optional decoders for illumination.
A few design considerations from these tests:
You can get away with 4% assuming you don't mind the short trains
To allow the longest train at the above limits, a tail track must accommodate a train 39" long (K-27, 5 freight cars and coach)
Although my current tail track is only 13", I could easily add a 24" swing-down extension that would go into the hallway a bit...should not be a problem...so I could use existing benchwork if necessary to avoid the cost of a whole new layout construction project, just an option
The HOn3 looks tiny on my layout next to my On30 trains, even the little ones...this will provide a lot more space for fun
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