I am almost at track bed stage and as on my previous live steam layout want to incorporate a 16’ dia spiral. Through experimentation I have found my Accucraft (battery) K27 will haul 4 AMS Jackson Sharpe coaches up a STRAIGHT 1:60 gradient. It wheel span at 1:48. The gradient on the spiral would need to be 1:60 but I wonder if the drag on the radius (8’) may tip the balance. I can’t set up a trial spiral without extensive work so wondered if there’s a simple rule of thumb way to find the extra drag.
The coaches could probably do with roller bearings. I have already removed the electrical pickups which made a slight difference.
The coaches could probably do with roller bearings. I have already removed the electrical pickups which made a slight difference.