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I am adding a subway to my layout.  It will only feature one subway train running point to point over about 100' long with  20" change in elevation in a  few spots.  I need to compress the ramps as much as possible.  There will be vertical easements but the question remains what is a maximum practical grade percentage?

I will also be needing a  PS-2 MTH subway train.

Thank you.

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Something to think about. The MTH unpowered subway cars are essentially dummy locomotives, with the same truck blocks as the PCC and Brill trolleys. If the trucks had the same friction characteristics as freight cars, no problem climbing steep grades. But subway trains are really one car hauling locomotives--minus the motors, spur/worm gears and electronics.

That's why when I ran 10-car trains, I had two power cars in the mix.

---PCJ

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.

DSCN1339

Spark simulators are eye-catching attractions for onlookers. The simulators light when a wheel connects an isolated segment of outside rail. El Boarding [1)El Paltform [1)

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