Quote from: skipgear on November 13, 2012, 12:33:41 AM
You never said what DCC system you are using. If it is the Bachmann EZ system, then it's output voltage is around 14-16V. If it is Digitrax, probably around 12V. Not sure on other brands. Your average DC power supply will put out close to 20V at max throttle accounting for your perceived difference in top speed.

That may finally explain it.
Here is the Spectrum 2-8-0;
http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/WTI0001P?I=LXZGH8&P=8

I am running with a Digitrax DCS-51 - nice to finally understand that issue. 
It runs fine on my track, but when pullin cars I've noted that the front trucks derail often.  The spring seems too weak to hold them down with even the slightest load.  I had to remove them.

Regarding the original topic - that 4-8-4 looks really sweet, but I don't think it is feasable to run it in a 30" space.  Bummer.

Quote from: skipgear on November 05, 2012, 09:44:42 AM
Speed doesn't equate to pulling power. Actually, a loco geared lower will pull more.

Which 2-8-0 is it? Did it come with factory with DCC or has it been converted. Decoder setup could be part of the issue. What DCC system are you using?

It is a spectrum engine - I'll have to dig out the box to find out which one.  It came with a decoder and Bachmann says everything is in order.   It just inexplicably runs slower on DCC. 

Quote from: James in FL on November 06, 2012, 06:47:36 PM
Agreed, the J is a brute and it's hard to beat it in the "sleek" department.
If your minimum radius is 15 or more, you can pretty much run anything you want.
I see nothing is permanent yet? so get the biggest loco you want and then build the track accordingly.

Good luck

Yea, I have two 9.5" radius turns on either end of the inside loop.   The bar is only 30" wide, so if I were to try to squeeze 15" curves into there I would only have a very uninteresting single loop.   I may be able to swap out the 9.5's for 12's and keep it interesting, but I'm not sure that a 4-8-4 would give it much luvin...

Thanks for the replies.

My 2-8-0 has always run a little slow on DCC.   With straight DC it runs fine, but DCC is about half power.  I sent it in to Bachmann and they told me everything is as it should be.   That may have something to do with why it isn't pulling.

I'll look at some of these other Locos.   I have only a few curves that worry me, and none are on the grade.    You can see from the photo that the grade has over 6 feet on each side.   I suppose I could stretch it more, but I worry that it may lack support leading to derails...

Hello forum;

I'm posting here because I had such a pleasant experience with my last Bachmann train.   I want to buy another.   I am making a 'custom' train for Christmas featuring the 12 days of Christmas - similar to the Micro-trains series but mine will be custom, meaning custom colors, art,  etc.

Because I now have creative control, I want to have a steam engine pulling it.   With 12 cars that will require some pulling power.  I am hopeful some here can make a recommendation on a steam loco which can pull it.   I do plan to paint/decorate it, so the more 'sleek' the better...   but pulling power comes first by a long shot.

I have a simple over/under layout.  Here is a photo;



It isn't a bad grade, but it does give my 2-8-0  locos some trouble when I have more than five or six cars.   My Christmas train will be pulling 12 and a caboose...  
( I can easily pull twelve with my Kato A/B diesel loco pair. )

Yes, I have tried Frogsnot.  It helped some but made a heluva mess.  I may try it again, but I'd prefer to start with a decent puller first.

As you can see, the curves aren't outrageous, but a 4-8-8-4 is likely out of the question.

Oh, and though I am running with DCC, I seldom have more than one at a time on the track;  Too much trouble when I am entertaining - it is a single loop. (I'm open to the idea of a double loop if anyone has a plan to propose.)