Hi everyone, Here's a good question ! If you could... have just one engine in front of each train how many cars would be behind each engine ??? My ratio is approximately 5 ! One engine for 5 cars (passenger cars included), It seems I like engines, No? How is that bad doc???:tb-biggrin: Tell us about your ratio...:mcool::tb-wink:
My ratio is 11 cars to each loco...that includes passenger and business fleet cars. But thats total for my fleet. As for each train, depends on the train. My coal train I've done 115 cars with 3 units on the front, and I'll have intermodal trains which are 40 or so cars with 5 or 6.
The hobby, for me, is largely about the locomotives, but I like to image my layout and the trains in them...so I feel I should strive for some realism. That means at least four passenger cars (if I possess them), and I try for freight cars disappearing 'round the far bend. Typically, 8-12 cars, but I do this for a single engine when I run the trains to enjoy them myself. For example, the mighty C&O H-8 produced near 6000 hp continuous at 40 mph (there are claims for much more, but I have participated in threads on another board where convincing arguments reduce the claims to a reasonable 6000 hp). It could lift a 8000 ton consist and then get it up the grades. So, it should look at least like this in model images: A passenger train, especially in hilly turf and running hard, should not be long. A commuter that actually pays for itself would have a decent engine on the front to keep the customers coming back for reliable service. It would look like this, seen on the same stretch of tracks as the Allegheny above: -Crandell
On the DAV&P we run 4 car passenger trains and up to 11 car freights. But most freights run about 7 cars. This is with one locomotive. No that the long grade from Fredonia NY. To Cassadaga NY. Was removed we no longer run double headers. So lets see here a 11 car freight train in G scale is about 15 ½ feet long.
lemme see. passenger trains arn't my cup of tea so I really only have my passenger train. I have my H-16-44 running with 4 cars. fright trains? well I don't have grades, but curve friction really limits the amount that I can run. Usually about 10-12 cars per engine.
I run 30 and 40 car freights, 12 to 15 car passenger trains with one locomotive on the front per ten cars, up and down my 2% grades. Does that answer the question?
In terms of total inventory.... way off . I have far too few freight or passenger cars for the number of locos that I have.
I go to about 15 freight cars per engine. An ABBA consist of Intermountain F3s could pull more, but the couplers start breaking on my grades. Even the lighter diesels--the FM 16-44s or Kato RSC-2s will pull 15 cars each in an ABBA config. I use an A-A consist for a 13-car passenger train. Coupler strength is the delimiter on my layout, especially up 2.75% grades around a 24" radius.
Hi, Due to the short passing sidings and the operating plan on the GD&R I normally run 4 - 6 cars per loco. Just playing around yesterday I was pulling 24 cars with my Kato GP50 the same loco seen in my video on You Tube My newest loco an Atlas DASH 8-40CW just sat there and spun its wheels trying to pull the same 24 cars. The Atlas loco appears to be about 1/2 the weight of the Kato loco using the very precise two hand scale. Gary
Well, on smaller layouts I have used a six car rule, figuring forty foot box cars were still dominant on the scene. When there has been space, I've increased that into the 15-20 car area. Boxcab E50
My ratio of locomotives to cars (freight and passenger combimed) is just a bit over 1 to 5. Seems I like locomotives too :tb-err:
Depends on the locomotive in use. Some will barely pull seven cars, others will pull seventeen. I average 10 cars per locomotive. But just in case, I always have at least one set of helpers ready to assist!!
I also have noticed that some locos pull more than others. Note that the following is in HO scale. And I run plain old DC. I did a little testing with a straight length of track attached to a 2x4, a screw set in at one end, and an elastic band between the screw and the loco, then I applied progressively increasing voltage until the loco started slipping. The all-around oxen in the pulling power department are my Proto C-Liners and FA2. They pulled the elastic band a full 5.5 inches before slipping. In an earlier test involving a grade and penny-filled hoppers, they could single-handedly pull 3 pounds up a 4% grade without slipping. Not far behind are Athearn F7A and SD40-2, and a Walthers FA1 at five inches. My Katos fare pretty well, though my GP35 pulls more than the SD40, at 4 and 3.5 inches respectively.The NW2 switcher is impressive at 3.5 inches - the same as the SD40! But that little guy is heavy. The worst? Athearn switchers at 1.25 inches - with some added weight, they could improve a lot. The Kato NW2 attests to that. The 37-year-old Model Power sharknose still pulls good at 4 inches. What I learned? Engine weight helps. Four axles are better than six with equivalent weight - less weight per axle equals higher likelihood of slippage. So as others have said, it depends on the engine. I know I can put one of my Proto C-Liners at the head of a 20-25 car train and it will pull it up the grade without breaking a sweat. On the other hand, I won't try it with the SW1500. That one will stay in the yard.
Mine is simple, I reminisce with two snaky branch lines serving isolated rural communities in northern New Hampshire or southern Mississippi (take your pick). Therefore, on a typical day, the Consol may have to move 3-4 milk cars, or a couple of boxes full of furniture, or a few flats of dimension lumber over to Lyman Jct. for interchange with the Beebe River RR. Otherwise, the Mogul will try to keep a daily schedule with a combine and coach. Though in summer we add a second coach for all them City-Folk who come for a week or two and spend money, but mostly just get in the way. :tb-tongue:
Pulling power per loco is different than what I run. For maximum pulling power per consist, two engines can pull more than half what four engines can pull. Two engines seem ideal; each additional engine seems to add synchronizing problems, even on DCC. Two of my best pullers (LL FA2s, LL Erie-Builts or Kato PAs, all with DCC) will pull 60 cars up my grades. 60 cars is about the max, as after that couplers break or the train clotheslines on the 24" radius curves at 2.75% grade.
Guys, I'm very impressed about the number of you who are staying in touch "with reallity" So fare, I've seen only two other "engine'aholics" on the thread.... (if i can say so:tb-wink Congratulation to all the other guys who can stick to reallity.
I dunno...I'm in that same boat with more engines then cars... Just when you have triple digits of locos, your ratio gets a little higher.
