Picking prime mover

[Ghost42]

Is there a rule of thumb or formula to match a loco to its train.
I take it you have to take into account tonnage, length of journey, gradients etc.
I have managed a 1000t behind a Mountain on the Fort William route but that was a challenge and totally unrealistic.
Rog
Ts2010ee

 

[BLACKWATCH]

Different routes need different loco combi's & the train weight varies that again.
Try looking through a few railway books & see if you can get a general idea for the era & area you are working.

For instance, I found this on the web ..................

The T2s (or Q6s as they were later known), were designed to handle the 700 ton trains between Newport and Shildon, a job they did with ease.

 

[JCitron]

This might be helpful.

http://www.republiclocomotive.com/tractive_effort_and_power_calculations.html

 

[Ghost42]

Thanks for the links, the fog is clearing....
Rog