Pulling power of Proto 1,2 and 3 engines.

I'd say it matters most what type of inclines are on your layout. The steeper the hills, the less cars each engine can safely pull.

Then, it matters how much drag is on each car. A lighted passenger car can have drag on the wheel's pick-ups. How much does each car weigh? It matters when going up hills.

If you just want an easy answer, I'd put 2 engines on a 40 car freight train.

Thank you for the information. My layout is totally flat. I eliminated the inclines years ago. I was thinking of a lashup with 4 total electrical motors. Do you know the power difference between Premier electrical motors and Railking motors?

@Williamm posted:

Thank you for the information. My layout is totally flat. I eliminated the inclines years ago. I was thinking of a lashup with 4 total electrical motors. Do you know the power difference between Premier electrical motors and Railking motors?

In MTH diesel they are the same motor, same gearing, same wheel size, same electronics. There is no difference in pulling power between railking and premier. Premier diesels have longer physical length, more details, more features, but at motor size and gearing- it's the same part.

Thank you Vernon. Great information and a big help to me. One last thing, what about steam engine electrical motors. Any difference in them between Premier and Railking?

Harry

Yes, but depends on the engine. A railking non-articulated Steam engine has one RS385 can motor. An articulated Railking like a challenger, bigboy, or allegheny has 2 motors, one per drive block.

Premier steam uses a larger single motor pittman style motor to run the entire engine. So a T-1 and the Bigboy- still one motor- but a Pittman rather than a smaller RS385.

OK. Would it be safe to say that I could run up to 20 freight or passenger cars all day with a single Premier or Railking diesel? If I go over 20 cars I should probably go with a two engine diesel lashup?  I think I will stay away from using steam engines on consists over 10 cars.

@Williamm posted:

OK. Would it be safe to say that I could run up to 20 freight or passenger cars all day with a single Premier or Railking diesel? If I go over 20 cars I should probably go with a two engine diesel lashup?  I think I will stay away from using steam engines on consists over 10 cars.

Out of which side of my mouth do you want that answer? I'm in the repair business side of this.

Opinion: I think an MTH in general- even in a Railking has some of best gearing and motors and bearings. They are the right materials, machined to high tolerance and intentionally designed to last. Little details like proper bronze alloy for maximum lifespan. That said, abuse is just never a good thing.

Will I every once in a blue moon run a longer consist? Sure, maybe 10-20 cars, nowhere near "all day". I have a fleet of engines, and a session is about 3-4 hours at the local club. I rotate what engine I run on a given week from the fleet and honestly there are engines that get run once every 2 years.

Again, I'm the repair side of this. I have seen an MTH Premier Diesel with burned up motors that also killed the PS3 board. I've also seen a Railking steam engine the same fate- motor fried, it cooked the windings- they shorted- blew the boards. I don't have the full story on how many cars, how much abuse, or how long this went on for. In all the repairs- that's 2 engines that come to mind I know died from likely serious overload and did it until they cooked.

Unless you have a bottomless wallet or bank account of cash- I might ease up on seeing how long of a consist i could "run all day".

Part2- generally a lash up or MU may not mean 2X pulling power. In fact, unless matching is perfect (MTH is pretty decent in matching IMO and experience) but even then, there can be situations where it's not some balanced load and worse, the second engine may be drag- not push- just the nature of speed control and traction. Again, in general, a lashup adds a layer of complication to the train, it adds load to the electrical system and wiring of your track and power systems, it's another opportunity for failure to kick in. Again, this banking on the engines always being a perfect match, the load balanced and not one engine darn near dragging the other, your power system and wiring now powering 2 engines and even more current, just the fact that the potential for any failure is more than double

All that to say, your railroad, your rules- but also your wallet.

Thank you, Vernon. Some great stuff to think about! Maybe I will stay with a 10 car train.

Also keep in mind the weight of your cars. Modernly, manufacturers are moving for NMRA weight standards, so those longer cars get pretty heavy.