Large Scale Central

Weight's in your Engines>

Modeling Rolling stock
#1

Has anyone added weight " other than Batt. " to there engines to improve traction.
I was thinking of putting some LEAD in side of USA’s fuel tank.
If you have does it work?
Thans
Sean

#2
Sean McGillicuddy said:
Has anyone added weight " other than Batt. " to there engines to improve traction. I was thinking of putting some LEAD in side of USA's fuel tank. If you have does it work? Thans Sean
Sean, I've added weight to both my Hartland Mack and my Buddy L. It improved traction a bunch. You just want to make sure the weight is over the drive wheels. Ralph
#3

Adding weight to an engine will definitely increase it’s pulling capacity. They also track better. I have added extra weights to all my Aristo diesels. RS3, Uboat, SD45, and Dash nines. The SD and Dash weights are usually a couple of pounds each, and you can add three to each engine. I added over a pound of fishing sinkers to my Uboat and that really helped, especially with it staying on the track. There is a similar thread on the Aristo forum now.
Paul

#4

I added over 3 pounds of weight to the boiler of my Buddy L loco. It really helped.

#5

Dear All,

I was trying to find the old thread that says not to add too much weight. (A reply from TOC?)

He said something like “The wheels need to slip on engine stall, otherwise you will fry your motor.”

Hope this helps.

Sincerely,

Joe Satnik

#6

On my Challenger build, from two Pacifics right now I have the big weights in each section above the drivers, wondered if all that was necessary? Darned heavy!

#7

I just want the added weight so the engine will not float over the snow!
I want the engine to dig in and push!!!

#8

I bet a FLAME THROWER would keep it from floating over the snow. He, He, He.

#9

Some people have expressed concern that USAT uses plain bearings, not ball bearings.

I would suggest checking and lubricating the bearings (in the side frames) on a regular basis.

I have not added any weight to my USAT units yet, but I intend to.

Someone has put ball bearings in the USAT sideframes, I think they used the Aristo ones, this might be helpful.

I believe that if you just add a couple of pounds, you should not have to go that far, but I’ve encountered very few people who have experience in USAT and adding weight.

(I just add more locos, ha ha)

Regards, Greg

#10

Well it snowed today, then rain = heavy snow.
Rotary no good.
Plow did O.K.
The engines with the weight did great , no sliding off.
The plow did slid off the tracks @ curves, 20 footers “packed snow” was the cause.
Engines seemed to push a lot better!!
I think in the spring I’ll remove the weights.
Sorry no pics or video’s.
Sean