Comments on: Wheel Slippage on Grades

By: David Stokes

David Stokes — Mon, 15 May 2023 03:08:49 +0000

Spinning wheels are not the result of dirty track – non spinning wheels is. If your wheels are spinning the volts are getting though.
I see a suggestion of extra weight in the loco – that works, although be careful not to over load them to the point of burnout.
The other two probble causes are too many wagons in the train, or too high a grade. If you are between 3% and 4 % expect problems. A pusher loco, or double consist may help. or shorter trains.

By: Andrew Luchsinger

Andrew Luchsinger — Sat, 13 May 2023 11:23:00 +0000

I use denatured Alcohol. It works well and does not leave any residue on the track. You may also want to add some more weight to the Loco. You might also want to use only certain locos on the higher grades. At least the ones that work the best and the other locos on lower grades.

By: Frank B

Frank B — Thu, 11 May 2023 12:05:27 +0000

If your track has modern nickel-silver rails, just keep it clean. You don’t need any oil or anti-oxidant, because any oxide on nickel-silver is conductive. Don’t use track rubber, it produces grit and rubber particles that reduce contact and traction.

Wipe the track with a (preferably lint-free) cloth or paper towel to remove dust, occasionally (only if necessary) remove any grease with a mild solvent such as lighter fluid (naphta).

By: Steve K Ohio

Steve K Ohio — Mon, 01 May 2023 22:48:26 +0000

In reply to Steve K Ohio. I meant to say 2 inches over 100 inches is a 2 percent grade. 2 inches over 50 inches would be the 4 percent grade you have. I have one section of grade that starts at 0 in the center and rises 2 inches on each end of the table, over an 8 foot span in each direction. 16 foot long table.

By: Steve K Ohio

Steve K Ohio — Mon, 01 May 2023 22:34:27 +0000

I clean track with 99% alcohol. I also have stopped using anything like a bright boy which I am told does nothing but scratch up the track and make it susceptible to more dirt. I have noticed that track will get dirty and covered with stuff like glue and paint during the building process especially. I always will cover sections of laid track with blue painters tape when I am making scenery or gluing or painting around these sections of track. I now us a small pieces of 6mm thick Masonite with and with/out alcohol and rub any extra dirty parts of the track. It seems to get up the dirt but does not scratch up the track. I think the key part is regularly cleaning the track rails and keeping any grades to a minimum. I have tried to keep them to 2% as recommended. That’s a 2 inch rise over a 50 inch span and even at that I notice a very slight slow down of my locomotives when pulling cars on it, but they pull OK. 5% seems very steep.

By: David Stokes

David Stokes — Mon, 01 May 2023 21:46:44 +0000

4.5% is a very stiff grade. 17 cars is a heavy train for a single loco up a 2% grade so I am not surprised you have a slippage problem. Physics laws are very hard to break, so good luck.

By: Bob Horn

Bob Horn — Mon, 01 May 2023 17:58:19 +0000

I have used a very light coat of resin (like for a violin bow) to prevet wheel slippage. It works great! Resin does not conduct electricity so too much and the train will stop. If that happens just rub the tracks with your fingert to remove the excess. The resin will go into the grain of the metal track and the train will perfom fine without wheel slippage.

By: Ralph Furth

Ralph Furth — Mon, 01 May 2023 16:43:22 +0000

Ken:
Remember that a 4% grade, you will need about 8-10ft incline.

By: Frank Miles

Frank Miles — Mon, 01 May 2023 07:00:06 +0000

I use inox very sparely. It keep the conductivity of the rails. I have modified eome cars to carry a small piece of plywood underneath. It is attached with two tap washers with the ends removed. Running them all the time keeps the track clean. I now only use the inox to lubricate axles mostly. Hope this gives some ideas. Good luck.

By: Dale

Dale — Mon, 01 May 2023 04:23:33 +0000

In reply to Glenn.

Glenn’s right. If you can’t add a second loco as a helper you might look into replacing two (one on each side) of the driver wheels with ‘traction” type wheels. They will interfere with power pickup on those wheels so don’t use them on more than one pair.

Full disclosure: I’ve never used them but a friend did on his HOn3 layout and could pull a 6 car logging train up a 5.5% grade with a single loco.

By: Glenn

Glenn — Mon, 01 May 2023 03:23:15 +0000

Ken,
Your problem, plain and simple, is the incline. Don’t bother jumping through hoops. It isn’t dirty track. Add another loco and your problem will be gone. Your locos can only do so much, on an incline that steep. Not only that but watching a MU’d pair of locos climbing that incline will be astonishing. Glenn

By: Rob2160

Rob2160 — Mon, 01 May 2023 01:59:40 +0000

In reply to Robert. I use 99% isopropyl alcohol to clean the tracks, then apply a tiny amount of deoxit gold by finger running one or two drops around the entire layout. This keeps the rails oxidation free and improves conductivity while not affecting traction much. Personally I don’t use any abrasive to the track and have never seen a need for it with the deoxit being used once or twice a year since track was new.