ken
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Post by ken on Jun 28, 2021 9:24:27 GMT -5
Consider that "power" is one of the factors that identifies the ability to pull a given load; how can I recognize how much power a z scale locomotive has? Looking at all the different types of locomotives that are being manufactured and for sale in z scale, are there key descriptors that would tell me that one locomotive has more power than another?
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Post by dazed on Jun 28, 2021 10:09:05 GMT -5
Personally I look at two factors...cubic volume inside the body shell, and number of axles.
The amount of space inside the shell determines how much weight can be packed in. The key is not only "power" but transferring that power as tractive effort. The more weight, the more tractive effort the wheels can attain before slipping.
The number of axles means more contact points for electrical conductivity. For a 4-axle loco you have 8, for a 6-axle you have 12, and so forth. Gives you a better chance of overcoming dirty track or other environmental variables that contribute to the motor not getting enough "juice". Of course, this also helps with tractive effort, too.
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Post by BAZman on Jun 28, 2021 12:58:19 GMT -5
No numbers, facts or other. Certainly not like the NMRA Magazine. And, each loco model produced with the same drive train, varies somewhat by models.
Suffice it to say, märklin’s locos pull FAR less than than Micro-Trains Lines (MTL) or AZL.
The Micro-Train F7 was the standard from ~1985 on. A meat grinder, wobble and run over your fingers type, could pull FAR more cars than a märklin “F7”. Their GP35 did a test run at our group meet pulling just over 45 before starting to frequently slip.
AZL introduced a Passenger set with F59PH loco with 4 passenger cars. If you tested it with basically the only freight cars (MTL), it pulled well. With their first freight locos, SD70 and GP7, these pulled 20-40 cars. Later models included traction tires, assuring an easy 25+ cars with 2% grades.
But they all still vary by model. Gear tower, amount of grease, new frames, change to can motor, mostly all related to production runs. Big GE P42’s run slow and quite varied, barely pulling a mid range passenger while the diminutive F3’s haul 100 car freights all-day at the show.
Suffice it say, if it is a home layout, 25 cars are so, most any loco will suffice. 2 or more locos, grades, etc change the specs a bit.
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Post by Commodore on Jun 28, 2021 15:42:11 GMT -5
+1 on the P42's
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ken
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Post by ken on Jun 28, 2021 16:03:18 GMT -5
Thank you Doug and Jeff. Lots of good stuff to consider before making my next choice.
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Post by tjdreams on Jun 28, 2021 16:38:29 GMT -5
Your track work can also have a huge effect on the number of cars a loco can pull. Bad trackwork like gaps between the rail ends or track out of gauge week powerfeeds bad solder joints can all decrease the number of cars a locvo can pull. A winding turning track with tight radius curves will also reduce the number of cars a loco can pull.
With proper track work and and long sweeping curves one loco can pull 60 -70 or even 80 + cars all day long add a 2nd loco and 120 - 150 cars is not out of the normal. But if your track work isn't up to par you may find yourself struggling to pull 25 cars with 3 engines lashed up.
David
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ken
New Member
Posts: 4
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Post by ken on Jun 28, 2021 17:29:16 GMT -5
Thank you Doug and Jeff. Lots of good stuff to consider before making my next choice.
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