Improving the pulling power of the Spectrum 2-6-6-2

[2-8-8-0]

Hey all. I have a couple of these, and i do love them, with the exception that they are kind of anemic pullers. Will it improve their power if i add weight, and will this have any adverse effects on the loco itself? Are there any other good ways to improve their pulling power? I need them to pull mine runs of 15-20 cars on grades of up to 2% (on gentle 18 inch curves)
Thanks!

[up1950s]

Weight always helps the pulling power , however increased pulling power always takes its toll on rods and the rest of the drive line . Nothing is free . I haven't gotten to mine yet .

[Mark5]

Mine hasn't been broken in yet (it's being kitbashed into a N&W Z1b) but it pulled 25 M-T boxes on level track before I sold off it's tender.

Not sure what it'd do on 2%.

I would say adding some weight won't hurt.

Mark

[Nato]

  My Undec is broken in has pulled 30 cars of mixed manufactures on level track on my layout,but it gives indications that maybe 25 cars would be better leingth train. Yes as already discussed weight would help but with Trade Offs so I have not modified mine. Nate Goodman (Nato).

[FloridaBoy]

I found that the longer you break this loco in, it just pulls more and more, a phenomenon I have seen in the Kato Mike, Spectrum Consolidation and Mountain, LifeLike Mallet, ConCor 2-10-2, and some others.  When I first saw this happen years ago when I purchased some JNR Kato steamers, I thought that my power packs were just getting warmer.

It wasn't until the Kato Mike came out and Jim Kelley from MR stated it in his review, that I came to realize that many N scale steamers get better the more they run.

Instead of trying to modify the loco, I would suggest he run it for a while.  I think 25 cars is pretty standard expectation for most new steamers.  If I wanted more drawbar power, I would install my powered 50' box car.

Ken "FloridaBoy" Willaman 

[2-8-8-0]

Thanks folks. I have 3 of these critters now, and run them a bit every night when I get a few free minutes. So far, they are all good runners, one had a derailing problem that was caused by a front engine that was not swinging freely, but that was an easy fix. My experiences so far with spectrum have all been very good, both with these and their 2-8-0, a couple kato mikes will be the next new steamers. Thanks!