"John Degnan \(RailScaler\)" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > wouldn't increasing the weight of cars, even to an excessive amount, enable longer trains to be operated more reliably, even through forward or backing switching operations, without fear of derailment?
Probably would help to some extent. > I do realise that increasing the weight of the cars would, in and of itself, be a factor that would also shorten trains, True, especially if you have grades and do not correspondingly increase the weight of the loco. > we must consider the fact that most switching operation are usually done (in yards) with small numbers of cars in the first place, and on spur tracks by more than one powered loco Well, every person can switch wherever he wants on his own layout. If you are running a way freight of 30 cars down the mainline and want to switch out the last car before the caboose, you will eventually have to back up around a curve to do so. This will be a challenging task with super tiny flanges and/or extra weighted cars. Some of us switch long trains in the yards as well. Sometimes yards have grades. But then there are always rubber treads on the loco to consider..... :>) > increasing the weight of cars shouldn't make much of a difference in my view... would it? Depends on the definition of "much". It will make a difference. And the degree of difference depends on the grade, the radius of curves, weight, rollability of trucks, friction of loco wheels, etc. Probably you'd need to do some experimenting to determine the optimum set of conditions for your layout. Personally, I do not see the P:64 dimensions as being so wonderful that I am willing to sacrifice operational reliability for them. But that is just me and I am a bit "different" -- just ask Bill Lane. Good luck...Ed L. Change your membership, change your message settings, use our CALENDAR, view shared files or photos, view the list archives, GO TO http://groups.yahoo.com/group/S-Scale/ Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/S-Scale/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
