I flew the -200s with dash 15 and 17 motors. While it didn't climb like the Lears I was used to at the time it wasn't horrible either. That is until it was summer, out of Midway, then you just hoped for the best. Cleaned up she did ok, with initial climb rates of 2500+ fpm at heavy weights. FL350 was about all you could hope for at gross, and we had a few with 194k lb takeoff weights.
The 757 was a dream to fly and climbed like a homesick angel, especially after 5 years on the L1011 which was also a fantastic bird but not known for outstanding climbs at high gross weights. It was an honor to have flown her!