How strong is Lionel 0-6-0 Dockside Switcher?

The limitation of any small engine is "traction".  The Lionel switcher shown is an all metal casting.  However with just 3 axles it is limited to pulling about 4 average size cars for switching activities. My model is used in moving lumber and log cars.

Not my experience...one will pull quite a few cars.  Good traction with the weight of the heavy diecast shell.  Just keep the track free of oils.  I love these locomotives and have five of them...none of mine are LionChief though.

Whenever a load is to much, I double head them...

My versions of the Lionel 0-6-0T Docksider are all conventional, not LC, but they pull well over 4 cars, by a FACTOR of 10.

Running on level 072 and 082 MTH RealTrax, I have pulled 46 cars with a single Docksider, that was a bit much and it got a bit warm after about 5 minutes continuous running, cut back to 40 cars, it ran continuously without getting hot. Even with the 46 car train, it started without slipping. Heck Hudsons and Pacifics only had three powered axles and did well. The Docksider is very heavy for it's size, and with the smaller size drivers, it can really dig in and pull.

My trains consisted of a mix of light 027 cars up to K Line Evans Auto Loaders with 6 die cast autos on each, and were a good pull to move.

The Lionel Docksider model will definitely pull more than it's prototype could, Good looking, smooth running little locos that will pull an impressive train. These are one of the best buys that Lionel ever produced.

Pro Hobby, if you can only pull 4 cars with yours, you are either pulling full scale prototype cars, or there is something SERIOUSLY WRONG with yours.

Doug

I have used my Christmas Docksider to pull all 8 of the reindeer passenger cars, though it seemed to not  like it much. That was also on our modular layout, where the curves are something ridiculous like o120 or so.

I'll see if I can find a few pics of it pulling freights to see what I've done with it.

J White

It would depend on the axles. It can probably pull a great quantity of modern era cars, with the needle point axles and plastic trucks, slightly less with die cast trucks, and I would say that the 4 car assessment sounds about right for any of the postwar designs. I do not own one, but am making my observations based upon similar locomotives that I have owned and run previously. 

I would go to the Lionel parts website and look to see what type of motor this has.  If it is a typical small starter set motor, I would be conservative.  If it is a larger motor, say like the one in the improved PE baby berk, I would be a little more aggressive.  

I think pulling ten reasonably heavy cars with it will be marginal.  I have one I converted to TMCC, but ten cars has it working.  Mine has the small set motor.  Other docksiders that I checked on the Lionel site appear to have the same motor.

My conventional version pulls my 8 car Christmas train around my 031 loop under the tree without a problem.  All are modern, needle point axle cars.  the only operator is a Christmas aquarium car.

Eight conventional light cars are not a problem, but when you add a few, it will be an issue.  For instance, my Hogwart's Express can't pull nine passenger cars around a level layout, it tops out at seven or eight.  They have more drag due to the pickups, but any other locomotive with a larger motor doesn't have any issue hauling eight light passenger cars.

Will the shell of a conventional docksider fit a Lionchief docksider without any modification? Do all the screws, postsetc . line up the same and is there enough room inside the conventional shell for the Lionchief electronics boards without needing to grind down anything?

Since I have a conventional version I thought I'd check.  I put every postwar and postwar repro car in my small collection behind it, a total of nine.  The Docksider groaned a little but it pulled them just fine.  When I removed three of the lightish cars, the 6457 Caboose, the 6012 Gondola, and the 6465 Sunoco Tank Car repro the little guy quit groaning.

Pete

That pretty much matches my expectations Pete.

I fired mine up with ten cars, 8 modern cars with needle-point axles and two PW gondolas.  It pulls them, but it's working at it.

gunrunnerjohn posted:

I think pulling ten reasonably heavy cars with it will be marginal.  I have one I converted to TMCC, but ten cars has it working.  Mine has the small set motor.  Other docksiders that I checked on the Lionel site appear to have the same motor.

  

GRJ - I think we may have had this conversation once before, but as I recall, converting the Docksider to TMCC was no small undertaking, right?  And, if I recall, you weren't able to put electro-couplers on, right?

Sorry for re-directing the thread.

I actually did put a rear EC on it, and it was a major PITA!  After tinkering with that, I decided that it wasn't really a candidate for electrocouplers.   It was an early conversion, I wasn't thinking of how difficult it was when I bought it, just thought it was a neat little locomotive.

My US Steel 0-6-0 conventional version from 2007 has no problem pulling 5 heavy post-war operating cars (2x#3469 loaded coal dump cars and one each #3461 log dump, #3562 operating barrel car and #3472 operating milk car) plus one modern-era lightweight USS Ore car around my layout including repeated front and back movements to position the operating cars at their unloading positions.  That’s quite a heavy consist. 

And it smokes great but hopefully the newer Lion Chief versions have a better sounding whistle!

HTH,

Bill

Thanks for all of the replies. Apologies for the brevity of my response as I'm typing on my cell phone.

It looks like it is possible. To play it safe, I will top off at 8 cars. The 3 heavier operating cars (Barrel Car, Candy Cane Dump Car, Christmas Presents Dump Car) to go along with the Caboose and 4 other lightweight Christmas themed cars.

Regards...

I also have the conventional one and have yet to put enough cars behind it that it can't pull.  So add me to the 40+ camp.