Locomotive pulling power

Overview

Locomotive pulling power has always been of interest to large scale railroaders, I believe because we have grades and curves more severe than the real thing.

There are many debates about pulling power, and things that seem to affect it. This page will attempt to look into some of this and present some helpful data.

I may add sections on techniques to increase pulling power, and point to specific mods on specific locomotives.

Actual measurements

Chuck Naeser has over the years kept track of a consistent method of measuring pulling power and documenting what he has found, so most of the following information is courtesy of him.

He uses a fish scale, (pictured below), but I also need to mention he uses a consistent method of preparing the conditions to get repeatable results. He uses brass track, not oxidized aluminum (more traction) or stainless steel (more slippery in my experience).

fishing scale

Recently, Chuck noticed that the basic relationship between loco weight and pulling power did not make sense for all locos, in particular a USAT Hudson.

Chuck reasoned that the weight on the leading and/or trailing trucks could have a significant effect. Therefore, he designed a setup to isolate the weight on these wheels:

 

weight on trucks

Notice by keeping the loco level there should be minimal effect on the weight distribution as measured.

Chuck has been keeping track of his measurements and I twisted his arm a bit to present his information here, where it can help a number of people, and also present some interesting observations.

In the table below, Chuck has added columns to address the weight distribution, and see if there is a more consistent relationship between the weight on the driving wheels and pulling power.

Note that there are still some measurements to be made, those will be marked with ??. This table will be updated as time goes on.

 

EngineWeightPerformance

 

Make / Model

 

Number of powered axles


Number of wheels with traction tires



Number of non powered axles


Gross Weight - entire loco (lbs)


Net Weight - powered axles only (lbs)

 
% of weight not on driving wheels

 

Pulling Power (lbs)

Pulling power as a % of gross engine weight


Pulling power as a % of net engine weight

 LGB         
 AT&SF diesel 6109.4 9.402.527 27
 F7A diesel 4108.758.750334 34
 2-6-0 Mogul 31175.7517.91.521.4 
 2-6-6-2 Mallet SV 6229.88.612.2330.6 
 0-4-0 Stainz 2103.73.70127 27
 0-4-4 Forney 2127.6????2.7536 
 Aristo-Craft         
 2-8-2 Mikado 40211 ????4.54141
 2-8-8-2 Mallet 8021413.53.6535.735.7
 Bachmann         
 Climax 4007.3 7.302.25 3131
 2-8-0 Consolidation 401 10.1 ????3.25 32 
 2-8-2 Mikado 40213 ????3.75 29 
 2 truck Shay 4009.6 9.6??2.5 2626
 Accucraft         
 2-8-2 K28 Mikado 40212 ???? 3.529 
 2-8-2 K27 Mikado 40217.5 ?? ?? 4.7527 
USA Trains         
SD40 64010.4 10.403.53434
SD70 60011 1104.54141
SD70 (Dirk) 612019.38 19.3808.54444
F3A 4407.5 7.503.254343
F3B 4406.9 6.903.755454
F3AB88014.4 14.406.754747
GG1 604?3428.615.9823.5 
4-6-4 Hudson 3042522.310.8520 
          
 Average   12.3  3.9 36.337

 

 Adding weight to a loco

There are lots of ways to add weight to a loco, which almost always increases pulling power.

Before we "take off", there is some thought to be had first, before you destroy a loco.

  • gears, drivetrain
  • axle bearings
  • ability to keep center of gravity low

 

Weights

 

Lead still the best for cost vs weight

 

Rock cod sinkers

rock cod sinkers

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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