@RJR posted:I suspect the 44-ton is so light that without traction tires it won't pull many cars, especially old Lionel
You'd likely be wrong. I took all the traction tires off a RMT BEEP for reliability, and it weighs 1# 13oz (added weight to get there), and it hauls eight RK tank cars up the 2.5% grade no sweat. The MTH 44-Ton locomotive weighs 2# 14oz, so it certainly should be able to hold it's own against the BEEP with no traction tires.