Dale's passing was a most unfortunate loss to his family and the hobby.
Back to plastic vs die cast. I tested a number of engines by connecting the 6 car PRR heavyweight Lionel Flyer passenger train to each in turn. Results as follows. AM PA-PA plastic shell set, scale wheels no traction tires. Starts and pulls the train anywhere on the layout, would pull more than the 6 cars. Lionel Flyer early PRR TMCC Light Mikado, die cast shell, high rail wheels, traction tires. Drive wheels slip, cannot even start the train to pull it out of the station! These Light Mikado's are not great pullers. The similar TMCC with the Pacific wheel arrangement started the train, ran well up to a 1% grade. It barely made it up the 2% grade, required a running start. It would not back up the train on straight and level track. Tried an AM GP9 converted to TMCC, plastic shell. Pulled the train up the 2% grade but was at its limit. The AM Northern (converted to TMCC) pulled the train anywhere like there was nothing attached to it. The newer Lionel Legacy diesels with plastic shells would likely pull at least 9 of the passenger cars up a 2% grade. I have some of them pulling 9 of the AM Budd cars and they could clearly take many more than 9, but the AM Budd cars are easier to pull than the Lionel Heavyweights. Lastly a plastic shell Gilbert 283. Takes those 6 cars anywhere on the layout but at a much higher speed than I normally operate.
Your results may vary.
I will be leaving early tomorrow for a 3 week driving trip back east for family visiting. This is the longest I will be away from the layout since it was finished. I will be out of the testing business and possibly a victim of withdrawal symptoms until I return home.
