@BillYo414 posted:No real gain! I could replace my pick up truck with this train for hauling mulch and stuff if it was all die-cast think of the pulling power!
Just the locomotive of the plastic MTH model is 8 1/2 pounds. With only two Mabuchi 3xx motors, there is a point of diminishing returns between the motor power, the ability of the traction tires to stay on the wheels, and pulling power. I pulled my 50+ tank car consist around my mainline, including the 2.5% grade with this one without breaking a sweat. IMO, it doesn't need any more pulling power or the addition of hundreds of dollars for a diecast shell. YMMV