S turn issue, opinions sought

Looks to me like you have straight sections between "S" curves - if that in fact is the area mentioned - just below the green dot (post?).

You are quite correct - AVOID "S" curves - usually a 10" straight will do the trick for all but large locos - and a 5" straight for switchers, subway cars, and PCs is adequate.

Glenn

How many cars are you pulling? It sounds like you need to shorten the train or get a bigger loco. You could try lubing the car axle bearings but do so sparingly so as to not get oil on the track.

Thats a small loco with an o-27 minimum radius requirement, theres really nothing about your layout it shouldn't negotiate. Your turns are all plenty big.

The drag of the cars increases in turns, too many cars can overcome the relatively light weight of that smaller loco causing it to lose traction.

I don't think changing the layout will help, frankly.

You're just pushing the limits of that little locomotive. It wasn't designed to pull 8 or 9 cars. It was designed to pull 3 or 4. It lacks tractive effort.

Weight should help but that puts stress on the motor that it may not like.

I would get some 1oz fishing sinkers, start with four, maybe, and add or subtract as necessary. Harbor freight has stick on "slab" style lead weights that would work too.

Just a point of education to the terms used in railroading. In the real railroad business, a curve like this is called a "reverse curve" not an "S-turn" or "S-curve."

Just figured I would throw that in here for educational purposes only.

Matt, it doesn't sound like the engine can't pull the load. It sounds like the cars come off the track somewhere in the consist. Doesn't this tend to happen when heavier cars are behind lighter cars in long consists? Shouldn't the lighter cars be behind the heavier cars or the weight evened out? I've seen posts suggesting that all cars should really weight the same. I don't know, so I'm throwing out the questions.

In any case, I agree, I don't think it's a matter of the curve being an "S" curve (or reverse curve) because the straight sections look to be more than long enough to avoid problems caused by 2 opposing curves being too close together.

If the wheels on the LOCOMOTIVE are slipping, you need to add weight to the locomotive, not the cars. Try 6-8 ounces to start and work up from there. 

And thank you for spelling out CHRISTMAS as it should be.

Agree with Rich, if the wheels are slipping, the loco is too light to pull the load. Also, just because they make 9 cars for a series, I don't think that means they are all meant to be pulled at the same time by a given engine. I could be wrong though.

Yeah, I think the one in the movie could do a lot of things.

And I totally get that the MTH can do it.

Sorry I was editing during your answer. It is good having this pseudo conversation.

Rich wrote:

Just a point of education to the terms used in railroading. In the real railroad business, a curve like this is called a "reverse curve" not an "S-turn" or "S-curve."

Just figured I would throw that in here for educational purposes only.

Now if he could do the same with "CROSSING" and "CROSSOVER"

we'd be truly educated!

ENJOY

Glenn

Marty;I'm convinced Dave has the reason for the problem and you should have the answer.

Weight on drivers gives Traction. More weight does give more traction so Load er Up  

This is not the first thread about the Set loco not puling all the add-ons.

I believe they did sell an improved but not too expensive 1225 for that reason.

You might want to keep an eye out for one to replace the engine you have once it dies. Then again, it may not die for a very long time.