I laid out a loop of Kato track and slid in one full length of 2% riser foam.

It's finally time to test every loco headed for Black Douglas Vale on the 2% grade I propose. I put a rake of 10 American N Scale wagons behind as a test.

Graham Farish BR Blue Class 40 Sound:

Passed with ease. The Kato powerpack is weak so it only crawled due to the sound demands.

Graham Farish Class 37 Dutch Livery

With ease. My best UK runner. 

Dapol Class 22 BR Blue


This little tank also passed with ease.

Graham Farish LMS 10001BR Black Sound

Because of the sound demands it crept along, but never faltered.

Graham Farish Deltic DP1


This beauty has always been steady. Easy hauling.

Graham Farish Class 20/0 London Transport Maroon Lined

She stalled about half way up with 10 wagons. No problemo. She'll be doing branch line work so I'm still pleased. I'm sure 8-10 British milk wagons will tag along nicely.

I haven't attempted surgery on my dead-in-the-water Union Mills, but if she runs she'll have zero struggle.  I've seen her with more wagons conquer my stupid 4% grade.


I have two steam locos in transit from TMC so I'm a bit more optimistic.  Even if they're reduced to 3,4,5 coaches or 4,5,6 wagons, it'll work on my proposed layout.

 

I've not had trouble with 3% grades except with very draggy wagons, stuff that was overweight (eg the Dapol tesco train), or very light locos. Mostly things that could be addressed with some weights or adjustment of whatever caused the drag.

Steam is also much less of a problem because you can bank or double head stuff up any reasonable grade without worrying about rule 1, whereas diesel banking was much less common.

Or just run old Minitrix ones. They go round 7" curves and up and down grades fine except for the ivatt 

Interesting. Noticed that too with Minitrix Ivatt!

Quote from: EtchedPixels on June 14, 2026, 01:31:07 PM... old Minitrix ones. They go round 7" curves and up and down grades fine except for the ivatt 

The 2-6-2T is ok as that has weight in the side tanks.  It's the 2-6-0 tender loco which struggles: it's too lightweight, the traction tyres don't really add much benefit and the tender pickups need very careful pressure adjustment to minimise drag.   The German 2-6-0 with the same chassis is the same, I've had 2 or 3 over them over the decades and all got consigned to the parts bin.

In my experience, Farish 40s are a bit feeble. Dapol 22s will go anywhere and do anything. Excellent locos.

Quote from: Foxhound on Today at 01:57:45 PMIn my experience, Farish 40s are a bit feeble. Dapol 22s will go anywhere and do anything. Excellent locos.

Interesting.    I haven't pushed past 10 US wagons, but creeping at about 10-15 scale mph with no slip I figure it's good for 12-15 British wagons or 8 Coaches.

Yeah, that little (but heavy!) 22 is awesome. Lost lights at one end, but besides that she's great. DCC fitted which may be moot but...