Switcher pulling up grade

Run short consist with light cars.

Curves on a grade are taxing to loco.

Automobile wheel weights self stick and may help.

Just saw your question.  Lots of folks have added weight to engines over the years.  Adding directly over the motor isn't often possible but there is generally some empty space in the shell.  Another option would be to add some weight to the underside of the frame, particularly between the truck assemblies.  Be warned however that while increased traction is great, this is still a single motor.  Given that the lionel description already list diecast frame and trucks the weight should be sufficient.  If the other engines are dual motor or steamers with larger motors and alot more weight built in, sometimes shorter trains is really just the answer.  Can't really comment any more without knowing something about how many cars and what incline of grade you are trying to use.  Remember in the full size world, 2% is steep, While in toy trains, 5% is common.  The physics doesn't always work out.

The biggest issue here is this locomotive has a single motor.  You only have half the wheels providing traction, the others are just along for the ride.  Worst yet, the power truck is on the front, that's the worst place for it!  As soon as you start pulling a load, the weight transfer is to the rear, especially on a grade.  I suspect it's as good as it's going to get without major surgery!

As an example of the difference between a front mounted motor and a rear mounted motor, I have the Lionel Vision Line Genset, it has a single rear mounted motor.  It has no problem pulling 20 cars up a 2% long grade.

I also had the same experience with the Phantom locomotive with the motor in front, I finally bit the bullet and added a motor truck in the rear, it's like a totally different locomotive.

@Jushavnfun posted:

Run short consist with light cars.

Curves on a grade are taxing to loco.

Automobile wheel weights self stick and may help.

Yeah, what he said.  I would run smaller strings of freight cars (or double the hill).

George

Being a switcher, it doesnt really have a "front". Turn it around so its rear wheel drive and see what happens.

Otherwise fewer cars or shallower hills. Real trains have limits too.