I completed testing of my inventory this afternoon, I will begin gluing track down soon! I am excited, I’ve never moved beyond this step of the process. I think I am going to use silicone caulk and apply it at the Unijoiners, is that a good idea? What do you think, do have another proven method?

Minimum Test:

DCC 30% Max Power

DC 40% Max Power

5 Laps East with no human intervention, 5 Laps West with no human intervention

During laps take passenger siding through town, take passing siding in front; random intervals.

Results:

Passenger locomotives pulled 5 KATO VRE commuter cars; all passed!

Passenger locomotives pulled 4 Bachmann Amtrak phase VI coach cars; all failed!

Freight diesels pulled 9 cars total, 8 Athearn coal and a caboose; all passed!

Steam locomotives pulled 9 cars total, 8 Athearn coal hoppers and a caboose; some failed!

The few failures:

I really wanted to run the Bachmann Amtrak VI coaches! I purchased these over the KATO because they are lighted. The Bachmann coaches are really heavy compared to the KATO VRE commuter cars. I’ve never handled the KATO Amtrak phase VI coaches, so I can’t compare apples to apples. Has anyone handled both by any chance, are KATO lighter?

Both of the 4-8-2 Light Mountain Steam Locomotives failed to make the pass, think they need to rename those, my mountain is made of foam afterall, it’s a light mountain!!! <bad joke> Nonetheless, I didn’t expect those to fail. I am not going to deal with traction tires on steam locomotives, I don’t have the patience needed to do a job like that. I recently discovered a paint on traction solution called ‘Bullfrog Snot’, hilarious name. Do you have any experience with it? I wonder if it might be what I need for these to make a successful pass.

The last two failures were kinda of expected, a small KATO Steam C50 and a Bachmann 2-8-0 Baldwin, they are meant to handle a smaller train. They made the pass with 5 cars behind them.

Some locomotives I wish I could’ve tested but I don’t own are the SD60’s and SD70’s. I think they are going to be popular choice for this layout. One day I hope to get some CSX and Norfolk & Southern SD60’s and SD70’s. That said, I had successful passes with their little brother / smaller rivals Dash40’s, SD7, GP9, and BL2, so I will assume they’ll be fine.

Thanks for tagging along! Happy Day to ya!

– Hububba

Move Photo to...

No albums found. Please create and select album.

Albums

Album Title

Privacy

Public All Members My Connections Only Me

Cancel Create