PS5 Cajon Pass - Can't Get Up A Hill

The mission is from Cajon Pass, it's the G-LACCHC5-04 Grain Train from Los Angeles to Chicago.

This is the 1.1 mile train so lots of weight to move. I keep getting stuck at the same steep 2.2 gradient. Despite being on full power the speed will keep dropping till it stops. I've tried lower power levels, anything below Level 4 and the train actually goes backwards. I've tried sanding, I've tried custom weather to make it warm and clear.

How do I get it up the hills when they are this steep with that much weight to haul?

 

I was just about to have a look but the service is available twice with this number, what time does your journey start?
And did you use the ES44C4 or the SD70ACe?

 

I assume they are the two Trains you can choose, I always choose the newer one, the older one was used in the previous century.
Re the time, I used a custom weather setting where it was sunny, warm and calm. The Dynamic setting was icy and snowy and I wondered if that is what was causing the train to not get traction. When it stops moving, I use the independent brake to hold it, apply lots of power first then release the ind brake once the power has built up, the wheels just skid and there is no forward movement. If you try a lower power of 3 the train will start going in reverse.

 

Neither loco is from the last century, they are almost the same age in terms of year of construction. The ES44C4 was built from 2009 to 2020 and the SD70ACe was built from 2003 to 2015. I asked two simple questions to have a look at this, unfortunately you didn't answer either of them with. So which of the two is it and what time does the service start?

 

Have you turned on the Banking Comm? You need to turn that on first before setting up your locomotive. If you don’t, only the locos at the front will be applying power and the rest won’t be helping.

 

The two locos I can choose from are the BNSF ES44C4 which is the one I used, the other loco is the BNSF SD40-2 and the info says it ran from 1972-1989.
The time of the mission is 13:49.

 

I have never heard or the Banking Comm so I guess I didn't use it, I'm in the game now and recreating the mission so will look for it.

 

It was indeed the Banking Comm button, much more power and better braking too. Thank you stujoy