Running pushers on mountain grades

[psferg]

Does anyone out there run pusher service on mountain grades? Just wondering if it can be done practically.

 

[cascaderailroad]

I run 1 mile long trains with 4 to 6 units on the head end, with 2 more helpers shoving on the rear, on the 1.75% Horsehoe Curve line from Altoona to Johnstown. Sometimes a train is on it's knees in Run 8, at 8 mph, and stalls are frequent with less power in the consist.

The rear end units start syncronized with the head end units, and there seems to be no slack action ... just another long boring train, without real physics involved.

In "Driver" mode, downhill in the cab, is more challenging for trainhandling. BC CP Rail-Kicking Horse Pass Spiral Loops: http://s525.photobucket.com/albums/.../?action=view&current=KickingHorsePassWIP.mp4

I once tested a 5 mile long train on a pinwheel spiral of track, and it had @ 120' of slack action. Pretty cool ... Between when the head end moved, and the rear caboose started to move, was a couple seconds time.

 

[psferg]

Nice! I created an experimental layout recently that had an extended grade of around 2.5%, loosely based on Tehachapi, just to see what it would do. The heaviest train I could do with it was six SD40-2's and a 6,000 ton coal train at 15 mph. I think I tried to run a full size 10,000 ton coal train with about eight units on it including a couple of the UP centennials on it and I did have it at about 8 mph also. Great for pulling drawbars and knuckles in the real world!

 

[cascaderailroad]

Try 4-6 Head End, 2-4 Mid Train, and 2-4 more shoving on the rear.

It Tehachapi really 2.5% ? That is a stiff grade !

Willams Loop is also a steep spiral.

 

[rjw1975]

Do you have any videos or pics of your spiral tunnels with the scenery done? So far it looks amazing

 

[cascaderailroad]

Trees and stuff come in dead last with me. I concentrate on gradients, perfect radius curves, straight yard ladders, and signals.

I will try to get some videos made in 06.

 

[Jayturf]

I run pushers on my current WIP the Kettle Valley Railway. http://forums.auran.com/trainz/showthread.php?t=51395&highlight=kettle+valley

I have 5 helper grades on the route. As my route is more or less an exact (or as close to exact) model of the actual route I am able to use actual haulage capacities for the grades. This combined with CMTM make for tons of fun putting trains together.