Power Needed to Pull the Columbian

I have a single E-7 that would do that easily.  Six axles driven by two 9434 Pittmans, and no U-joints.  I ought to weigh it - guessing 10 lbs.

BOB2,

So, I am guessing that 2 five pound F units should do the job.

Thanks,

Ed

Should be no problem for a properly weighted 2 unit diesel to haul  8  GGD aluminum passenger cars up a 2 % grade.   I regularly run an Alco PA PB on the point of a 11 car GGD Broadway Limited up  a 2.2 grade. 

Ed,

Thank you.

Ed

Hi Ed,

I use a converted MTH E6 A-B, 2 factory motors in each to pull a 6 car GGD Columbian up 1.5% .  I realize it is lighter duty than your scenerio, but it does the job with no issue.  I have a second dummy A that I sometimes add to the train.

ASTARR,

Thanks.  Besides the F units which were used at the beginning, I was thinking of two E units also.

Ed

Such a beautiful train - How about some photos from some of you guys?   :-)

ED,

I was curious so I took a Atlas F3 with twin vertical mount motors and hooked it to my 6 GGD columbian cars and then added two more GGD aluminum from my Cinncinatian.  The single A unit had no problem  pulling the 8 cars up 1.5% grade which wraps around a 180 degree curve.  I added 3 more cars but the single A unit slipped with the 11 cars.  If I added the dual powered 2nd A unit, it took off with all 11.  This is a 2010 version Atla F unit, not the earlier version from the 70s.

ASTARR,

Thanks for doing the experiment.  Two diesels seem to be the answer.  I wonder how a 1.5% grade extrapolates to a 2.0% grade.  

Cheers,

Ed