Engine speed question

[lindepg]

I'm running a brand new Spectrum "70 ton three truck climax loco (DCC)" on Bachmann EZ track using an MRC 200 Tech 4 controller. At the maximum speed setting the engine moves very slowly around a short oval. I'm concerned that when I lengthen the track and add some grades for the engine to climb, it's going to stall out. The MRC offers 15.5 VDC with 17VA so I'm assuming power availability isn't my issue. Any suggestions of what my issue may be?

[richg]

The Climax is known to be a slower loco compared to a rod engine. They did not run much over 10 mph.
Search You Tube to see prototypes running.
The loco had a two speed gearbox and usually ran on rough track with fairly sharp curves at times.

Below is a link to check the loco speed at HO scale.
http://home.cogeco.ca/~trains/rroperat.htm


Rich

[jward]

like rich said, the climaxes and shays were geared low, which increased their pulling power on steep grades. your model is undoubtedly the same.

my experience with regearing diesels was that the lower geared locomotives did not stall on the grades, but the unmodified ones sometimes would. if anything, the lower geared locomotives would spin their wheels because of the higher torque. even so, the pulkled the same as, or better than, a conventionally geared loco.

[lindepg]

Thank you both! The link Rich supplied indicates I'm running at 17 mph at full speed, so I believe my question has been answered. I'll continue with my layout and watch how it handles the modest grades I have planned. Thanks again!

[richg]

Thank you both! The link Rich supplied indicates I'm running at 17 mph at full speed, so I believe my question has been answered. I'll continue with my layout and watch how it handles the modest grades I have planned. Thanks again!

At 17 mph, the prototype would be making quite a lot of noise.
Below are some usefull links.

http://www.climaxlocomotives.com/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Climax_locomotive

http://tinyurl.com/acyfc89

Rich

[GN.2-6-8-0]

Just yesterday watched one of these climax's pull ten loaded logging cars on our club layout.
We have 2 to3% grades and the climax handled them slowly but easily.

[Doneldon]

lind-

You can probably add a little weight to your Climax to add some pulling power but it won't help your top speed. Geared locomotives
(Shays, Climaxes and Heislers) were designed to pull heavy loads on very badly constructed track with tight curves and grades which
rod (conventional) locos could never manage. The cost of all of that power was low speed. They were used almost exclusively on
mining and timber lines where their lack of speed wasn't much of an issue because distances were fairly short. They were very good
at what they were designed to do but speed wasn't part of the equation.

                                                                                                              -- D