The grades on my El are set by the MTH Real Trax pier set 40-1033 which is advertised as having a 4.7% grade. However, I shimmed some of the piers so the grades are between 5 & 6%.
Since scoring the grade tracks I have been running a 6-car LoV set, and I do notice the train slows down after a few minutes of running. I assume the slowdown is a result of the motor heating or the transformer power dropping. Power and control of the El trains is by Z500 Transformers, one on each El loop. Each loop has 64 feet of Real Trax, so the Z500 Transformers are taxed to their maximum. Z1000 Transformers will replace the Z500s.
In my opinion, a 6-car LoV train needs to have a second motor car and I am on the hunt for a used car or just the power truck. My set has Loco-Sound, not PS2. The only complaint I have about the LoV set is that the window glazing has fallen out on several of the cars.
