@gunrunnerjohn posted:Well, it's not hard to understand losing traction on that grade, clearly in that distance with that rise, there can't be enough easement to properly transition to the grade.
However, the smoke units affecting things could be the locomotive, but it could also be the track continuity and power. If this is only happening on the steep grades, before I spend any more diagnostic time, I'd see how it runs on a layout with more reasonable grades and proper grade easements. It sounds like it's losing power, but I'm not sure that it's the locomotive's fault.
Well that grade you have seen pictures of is the steeper grade of the 2. The other grade rises 4 " in 16'. This less grade is the one that seems to slow the loco down with the smoke units on. Going up this shallower grade with smoke units on will lower volts on z4000 and raise amps. throttling back up to 18 volts helps but is not a cure all. Volts and amps while going up the shallower grade with smoke units turned off remain normal. (compared to my p2 Big boy)
