When running the various timetable runs and assorted consists, is anyone else able to achieve speeds above + - 30mph on uphill grades of around 2%? I've used sand for added traction, but still can't run near the speed limits on the various runs on those long uphill stretches. Any suggestions?
That’s just how fast they go. The locos are pulling a huge weight up a very steep hill so they are never going to get to go very fast. Gives you more time to enjoy the scenery!
Yea, when you are hauling like 10000 tons behind you, you won't be able to go fast on a really steep gradient. You'll slow down but not stop.
So far so good then. I've had no problem stalling out on hills, and really enjoy coordinating all 3 braking systems on those downhills! Thanks for your reply. ✌️
My man, American freight is extremely heavy. Watch actual videos of Cajon Pass and see the speed going uphill. It's not fast and for safety it's not suppose to be fast.
If you're getting anywhere close to 30mph on those uphill grades, you're doing very well indeed. In real life, the average is around 15-18 mph.
And if you're doing close to 30mph on the downhill grades, then you're puckering tighter than a bongo drum...
For any given train weight, horsepower, and grade, there is an equilibrium speed: you will slowly decelerate down to that speed, and then hold it the rest of the way up (assuming of course you have enough power in the first place). The important thing with freight is that it gets there, not that it gets there fast.
I'm stuck going from San Diego to Albuquerque in reverse. No matter what I do, the train will NOT move forward.