Engine power query

[DustyHobart]

Hi Everyone,  I've just acquired my first Hornby the Country Flyer R1188, a little track to get me started and to build on.  My big vision is to have a track / tracks wind through my library. Now engine #26 pulls the 2 carriages just fine but if I want a longer train, 8 to 10 carriages, would I need an engine with a little more power?

I've been trying to work it out myself but there's so much information here I'm a little overwhelmed.  Is there a numbering system for power or carriage pulling capacity? The 0-4-0 seems to mean something but I can't quite work it out. 

Help the new guy out please.

Take care,

Dusty

[GeoFF03]

If you plan to run 8 to 10 coach trains, then you’ll need a larger i.e. heavier loco to provide enough tractive effort. The basic loco provided in your set would be to light for the job.  The 0-4-0 refers to the locos wheel arrangement (no unpowered leading wheels, 4 driven and no trailing wheels) known as Whyte notation.  For the train lengths, you have in mind you should be looking for something in the 4-6-0 or 4-6-2 layout, if you stick with steam. 

[DustyHobart]

Thanks Geoff.  I knew it would be an easy solution. 

[Wobblinwheel]

I have a little 0-6-0 that easily pulls 6 to 8 Hornby coaches. Don't ax me how it do it, but it do.... Level track, of course....

[96RAF]

There is a class notation for 1:1 locos based on their power and weight thus which lines they could run over and what they could haul.

 

In model terms weight alone is probably your best gauge of pulling power, especially with the cetnre motored diesels which can be very heavy and in the case of some Co-Co configuration locos all 6 axles can be driven, so very good pullers.

[DustyHobart]

I have a little 0-6-0 that easily pulls 6 to 8 Hornby coaches. Don't ax me how it do it, but it do.... Level track, of course....

Thanks Wobblin, it's good to have info and options.

[DustyHobart]

There is a class notation for 1:1 locos based on their power and weight thus which lines they could run over and what they could haul.

 

In model terms weight alone is probably your best gauge of pulling power, especially with the cetnre motored diesels which can be very heavy and in the case of some Co-Co configuration locos all 6 axles can be driven, so very good pullers.

Thanks for the info RAF.  Is there a loco you would recommend? I'm not particularly tied to steam or diesel.  You mentioned some diesels can be very heavy, do you have one you would recommend for pulling 8 - 10 carriages around a 12 - 15 meter track?

[96RAF]

My old Class 56 R2645 is a nice heavy diesel, but there are many others.

 

A good way of choosing is to go into a model shop that has their locos on display shelves out of the boxes, then you can hold them and many shops also have a track they can be trial run on. You can get a fair feel for pulling power by putting your hand in front of a loco and see how hard it can push before it slips or stalls.

 

Rob

[Yelrow]

Dusty, P2, cock o the north, pulls almost as many coaches, as you can give it. On tests prior to release, they showed it with 15, plus. john

[DustyHobart]

My old Class 56 R2645 is a nice heavy diesel, but there are many others.

 

A good way of choosing is to go into a model shop that has their locos on display shelves out of the boxes, then you can hold them and many shops also have a track they can be trial run on. You can get a fair feel for pulling power by putting your hand in front of a loco and see how hard it can push before it slips or stalls.

 

Rob

Thanks Rob, I'm heading into my local model shop this weekend. 

Dusty

[DustyHobart]

Dusty, P2, cock o the north, pulls almost as many coaches, as you can give it. On tests prior to release, they showed it with 15, plus. john

Hi John,  Thanks for the help. I'll try to find a P2 and try it out. 

Dusty

[DustyHobart]

Dusty, P2, cock o the north, pulls almost as many coaches, as you can give it. On tests prior to release, they showed it with 15, plus. john

Hi John, thanks for the tip. My local shop had a cock o the north in stock, it looked good and felt like it'd do the job so I put it on layby. Dusty

[81F]

 There is also another thing to consider and that is how much the real locos could pull relative to others. This is not necessarily the same when comparing models. My Hornby 0-6-0s can handle the same general maximum length trains (15 wagons or 5 coaches) on my layout) as my 4-6-0s 2-8-0s. The strangest of these anomolies are my Lima GWR railcars. In real life the could only handle one coach but my model will hapily pull 6 on clean track!

 

Also limitations on space mean most modellers tend to run shorter express trains than in real life, a quick look at this photo https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4130/4950560751_e07db66114_b.jpg shows a GWR express with ten coaches while this (http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/uploads/gallery/album_883/med_gallery_7584_883_68457.jpg) shows a preserved train with a small pannier (designed for dock shunting) with 5 coaches though at a much slower spead.

 

In order to help things look right and "justify" larger locos I limit my small locos to 3 coaches max (though 2 is more common) despite their ability to pull more while the passing loop size limits my larger trains to 5 coaches and one at 6.