QuoteGreat looking trestle, Mark. Can that tiny Rio Grande engine really pull all those wagons?
Thanks, Jeff.
To be honest I don't know yet. Probably on the flat. The wagons are quite light and extremely free running. I would imagine the 4% grade might be a little taxing. I was looking at how I could do away with the loop, make the layout point to return loop, and lower the gradient to around 2.5%. It is possible (although a hell of a lot of messy, double handling work) but it kind of creates as many problems as it fixes. It also means there would be about 6" less vertical displacement. In the end I decided to carry on with the 4% grade. Geared locos, shorter trains. Perhaps trains will need to be pushed up hill and pulled downhill to stop runaway derailed wagons. I can tell you from testing my trackwork with a short rake of cars - they sure do get up some serious speed!
Cheers, Mark.