It's a Bachmann James that I can get to pull 9 trucks. You don't need to get James pulling too many coasches because I can only remmber one show where James was pulling three coaches, otherwise it was only two. I remember one early episode where James and Edward paired up for the job of pulling three-four coaches...Just wait for him.

Gordon and Henrt don't have any problem pulling four coaches. I haven't tried to see how many they will pull, but I do know that henry will pull 19 trucks (Combination of Bachmann and Hornby)

How long until we all start grtting more stars by our name. (I noticed Bach-man has five ) Is it based on number of posts

As far as coaches go, that's about all James can pull. I rna him at a recent train show with two coaches, no more . I do have a another James that pulls about nine  of the Sodor freight cars.

As far as going up a hill , use more than one engine, just like in the shows