Tempted to buy a 2-8-8-2

[Mark5]

I hear they pull better as they break in (someone needs to get the track down ).

I have a 1st run Lifelike version that pulled 30 MT 40/50 ft boxcars out of the box.

I'd love to have one that could pull 150 cars (or 200+ for a Y6b) but I aint holding my breath. ;D

Mark

[SkipGear]

Mine, after about 4 hours running around the Ntrak layout was pulling 50 cars. They weren't mine and they were less than clean so I guessing with clean new cars that actually roll, maybe 10-20 more. running that loco on the layout last year, sold every loco we brought with us to the show.

[Dave V]

Yeah, I'm betting if that track defect weren't present she'd be pulling everything I can fit in Enola.  Certainly she's fine on the 15" radius curve on the other end of the layout...  not even a flinch.

So...  This is the same issue that sidelined my kitbashed M1.  It's clearly time to consider withholding additional major purchases on the Juniata Division until it is time to gut and relay the track.

Again, I'm confident that the 2-8-8-2 is everything it's advertised to be.  I'm very happy with it.