01-11-2009, 02:19 PM
doctorwayne makes some good points. I've read the same thing about John Allen that ocalicreek mentioned. If I recall, he wanted his cars to stay put on grades up to 2%. That sounds to stiff to me, but depending on your operating environment, it might make sense.
As far as batting cars down a siding, I've had the problem - mostly due to trying to couple with misaligned couplers (off center, on a curve, etc.), though some coupling issues - upon reflection - were due to a light cars w/free rolling trucks. Stickier wheels would help counter the problem, as would properly weighted cars to increase inertia (this fits the same scenario as the cut of cars that doctorwayne mentioned). Most of mine are too light.
Good conversation. I'm not operating yet, so haven't seen the batting issue often. I'll have to keep an eye on it and equip my cars appropriately. FWIW, Kadee trucks were generally the slowest trucks in my test, so may fit the operating scenario best.
Matt
As far as batting cars down a siding, I've had the problem - mostly due to trying to couple with misaligned couplers (off center, on a curve, etc.), though some coupling issues - upon reflection - were due to a light cars w/free rolling trucks. Stickier wheels would help counter the problem, as would properly weighted cars to increase inertia (this fits the same scenario as the cut of cars that doctorwayne mentioned). Most of mine are too light.
Good conversation. I'm not operating yet, so haven't seen the batting issue often. I'll have to keep an eye on it and equip my cars appropriately. FWIW, Kadee trucks were generally the slowest trucks in my test, so may fit the operating scenario best.
Matt
Matt Goodman
Columbus, Ohio
Columbus, Ohio