What Engine Has The Most Pulling Power?

A DDA40X has the longest wheelbase of any single diesel or electric.  With ALL axles powered, 2 Pittman can motors a good gear ratio, and properly weighted ( in the fuel tank), this would be a good candidate for a most powerful puller.  I recently bought a Precision/KTM DDA40X which fits the bill.  I have yet to actually run it with a train because my track has kinks an it derails. I will attach a fish weight to it one day and see what it is capable of.

Thanks for all of the wonderful insights and experiences..and it seems that the weight of the loco has as much bearing on it's pulling power as it does with the amount motors as the diesels or Veranda mentioned or articulated steam seems to validate weight as a equal factor, and generally it seems that diesels or the Veranda are cited more often and they seem to have the weight \ power relationship balanced like the prototype, which was in hindsight, was too obvious for me to pick up on my own.  Of course the larger curve radius required  for them as well as an increased diameter  to avoid tip overs is another factor aside from the loco. What does the Veranda or an articulated steamer require as a general, minimal radius? Sounds like I would have to redo the layout track work as the largest radius is 31, the smallest is 27.All of this is a pretty tempting possibility to consider and I am sure the tinplate I have would do better with a less constricted curvature. 

My MTH Premier C&O Allegheny has pulled 65 cars without incident and not at high speed (35-45 smph, max).  Now it does need 0-72 (0-54 minumum) curves to strut her stuff, but I've not been disappointed with the pulling power it has.

I don't own the variety of units that many do, but of the ~25 I do have, the Lionel CSX Dash-8 from the early 90's w/dual Pullmors and Magnetraction is head and shoulders above everything else.

I've had 50 cars behind it and it acts like they aren't even there.  Would have kept adding more but I ran out of track.

Uh, a lot of this sounds quite abusive to the equipment. Kind of disturbing. Really.

Letting two expensive models pull each other's brains out only proves one thing:

the couplers are made well.

I just won't treat my equipment this way. I'll use it up; I'll wear it out; but I

won't abuse it. 

heres the S1 pulling 90 cars

joseywales, why is your S1 hauling heavy coal tonnage when it was designed for express passenger service?! 

Just razzin' you. It's an impressive demonstration of pulling power, although it had to take slack a couple times before it got the train moving.

That will teach you to start on a grade.   Looks impressive, it sure pulls more than my PARR T-1 Duplex!

hello guys and gals.........

how well do the Sunset 3rd engines pull, like 4-8-2,4-8-4 and 2-10-4's ?

the woman who loves the S.F.#5011

Tiffany

I have 2 PRR J1's 2-10-4 and 2 PRR M1's 4-8-2's

The J1's are great puller even without traction tires.

The M1's are not nearly as good about 20 freight  cars on my layout.

The 2-10-4 pulls like a beast!  With a huge Pittman 9000 motor, 9 lbs. of engine weight, a long rigid wheelbase, and unfortunately, traction tires on the 3-rail model, it will outpull most brass steam engines .  On the snaller engines-4-6-2, 4-6-4, etc., be careful that the weight is distributed on the drivers and not on the front and rear pony trucks.  If you have a problem with traction on these, you might want to reduce the spring tension on these pony trucks.  Sunset does not put alot of weight in many of their brass probably because of risking shipping damage to detail with alot of weight in the engine.  You can always add weight provided it is above rigid drivers.

hello robert bradley jr.

This is really GREAT news about the Sunset 2-10-4's as i am so GLAD to purchase one.   I think it will pull even more if the engine has the equal weight balance only on the first driver and the last driver as may have to add some small stick on weights to either end to balance it to the center main driver with just the boiler in place but leave off the front pony truck and rear trailing trucks,after that put them back on.   I have tried that trick on the H.O. brass S.F. 2-10-4's made by PFM and it made a big differences back in the early 1980's.  I was never happy with the H.O and wanted the O scale version of that until few days ago with i just made the final payment and picked up the S.F. 5011.

the woman who loves the S.F.#5011

Tiffany

Those 3rd rail PPR S1 duplex pull like a beast too because there geared cog belt drive. and its fast on the rails too ..can change the top geared pully to speed it up or slow it down for tork..

I have this "Texas" type by Lionel and by 3rdRail and love them both, for their pulling power (as many freight cars as I can include in a train on a mainline) and the deep, throaty horn on the Lionel is fabulous - my favorite, second only to my Dreyfus Hudson (scale Lionel).

I must add, however, I also have that Lionel UP Veranda and, yes, it is wonderfully heavy and pulls anything I want, though I am sure I have not pushed it to its fullest potential. It has a nice, impressive way of moving at slow speeds, too, kind of ponderous and with authority, as does the "Texas.".

Frank M.