Does anyone out ther figure locomotive tonnage ratings? I know that my locomotives will definately out pull the prototypes, but to add an interestin operational wrinkle I was considering limiting their ability by the rule book.

One system I was considering was simply assigning a number of cars that each loco could tote. say 2 cars for the little 0-6-0 and say 8 cars for the 4 truck Shay. Each car being a standard 24 ft freight car reguardless of lading or type of car. Shorter cars being rated as half cars and longer cars being rated as two cars.

The other system is a bit more complicated. Assigning two values to each car type, one higher than the other to account for loaded and unloaded weight. Each locomotive can be assigned a maximum tonnage rating, and train have to be made up to be equal or less than that figure. this wouldn;t apply so much to switchers, but it would have adefinate impact on mainline trains! The question would be, how to assign the tonnage ratings?

Thoughts?