Andre, Good input, as always. I agree with you and George that modeling is more interesting when the engines behave more like the prototype. Thanks for real world data on the GP7. I was going to go digging around in some of my dusty old railroad engineering references to get a feel for what's typical. You've saved me some sneezing and head scratching. Regards... Peter Gagnon
----- Original Message ---- From: Andre Ming <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: [email protected] Sent: Tuesday, October 10, 2006 4:41:14 PM Subject: Re: {S-Scale List} Re:Car Weighting--a variety of opinions,etc. George observed: > My American Models GP-9 has been pushing 10 to 12 PRS, SHS, AM > freight cars up a 3%+ grade. It doesn't even slow noticably slow down. > I've often wondered if a prototype would do as well. For what it's worth: I was associated with a railroad that operated over a 7 mile grade in the 2.5% range. One GP7 (slightly less HP than a GP9) was rated for 770 tons on that grade. For the era, that would equate to roughly 7 loaded sand hoppers and a caboose. > ...it does seem model locomotives are more powerful than prototypes. In things I've read in the modeling press in the dateless past, it was felt that, as a general rule, a model will be able to pull LESS on a level grade that its prototype, but much MORE on a grade than its protoype. Go figure. > it makes adding helpers on a small layout an exercise in imagination. Bingo! That was what I wanted to find a workable solution around. Modeling wise, anything that imposes tonnage restrictions that is not based on adhesion, mass and resistance, is contrived and thus arbitrary. My experimentation indicated that IF a modeler can have loads and empties and rely upon adhesion that replicates the protoype: Fun resulted. Odd how the things you dread and that make for a long day (and much more work) on the prototype can be considered elements that could add spice and fun to a model layout! Oh, for the power of GHA when working with the 1:1 stuff! Andre Ming [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/S-Scale/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/S-Scale/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> 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/
