I did some grade tests using elevated flex track as suggested above.  I had a 16 foot run.  The highest grade I tried was 3.25%.  The cars were out-of-the box Bachmann cars.

The Bachmann 2-8-0 pulled 8 passenger cars or 15 freight cars up the grade and was accelerating.  I didn't try more cars because I didn't have any more. 

The BLI 2-8-0 pulled 6-7 passenger cars or 15 freight cars.  The passenger cars were a slight struggle, but the engine would have pulled a freight car or 2 more.

Based on the performance of other engines I tried, it appears that a rise in grade of 1% results in a decreased hauling capability of 2/3 cars.  A decrease of 1% added 2/3 cars.

I tried adding an 18 inch radius curve at the bottom and performance dropped by a car and the engine slowed until most of the cars were around the curve. 

There were variations among engines of the same type.  Results may vary.

Hope this helps.

Eric Root 

Thank you Harold.

Eric Root

Very nice Harold, as usual.

Can you clarify one thing for me please?  Did you add the grout on top of your existing 'creek' or rebuild the entire creek from scratch?

Thank you

Eric Root

The link below should take you to a minimum radius guide compiled by members of the Yahoo Group ON30 Conspiracy.

http://www.geocities.com/loggingloco1/NineMile/On30Loco_n_Car_Radius.PDF

Hope this helps.

Eric Root

Jonathan,

If you look in General Discussion and in Large for a topic "Question from a New Guy" by Tfowen, there are several responses to essentially the same question you asked. 

Hope this helps.

Eric Root

Harold Minkwitz's web site has instructions for how he installed a decoder in a Mogul.

http://www.pacificcoastairlinerr.com/mogul%5Fdcc/

Ray Montgomery posted instructions for how he installed a decoder in an 0-4-0/0-4-2.

http://www.datamasta.com/emags/how_to/d_2005_oct_03.asp

Hope this helps.

Eric Root

When I sent an engine in for warranty work, I was told to expect to wait 6-8 weeks (varies on work load) for repairs to be completed.  I heard nothing until it appeared about 8 weeks later.  Bachmann seems to operate a little slower than what some people are accustom to today, but they do honor their warranty, which (to me) is the main point.

Curmudgeon nicely summed up what has been posted on this board in the past.

Eric Root

I also find the new format less useful than the old format.  Nosamnod and Ralph-On30 covered the reasons.

I still find useful information and will continue to read/use the board.

The smaller ON30 engines, like the 0-4-0 and 0-4-2, will fit under a 3" vertical clearance.  The larger engines, like the 2-6-0, 2-8-0, Shay, Forney, and Climax, will not fit under a 3 " vertical clearance without alterations.

The logging and mining cars, low gondolas, tank cars, and flat cars will fit under a 3" vertical clearance.  The box car should clear by less than 1/8".

The NMRA Standard Clearance is 4.25".

You also need to consider horizontal clearance.  For curves, 3.5" works fairly well in most situations.  That can be reduced for tangent track.

Hope this helps.

Eric Root