Proto2000 2-10-2 or Bachmann 2-6-6-2 or Proto2000 2-8-8-2 or Bachmann 4-8-2?
I’d like to improve the pulling capacity of all these engines, but I thought I’d better ask first.
Has anyone tried? Where did you put the weight? Did it help? How hard was it to get the boiler off and back on again?
Thanks for any and all help,
Jcopilot
Where there’s room there’s a way!
This is a Bachmann DMIR 2-10-2. The weights are Automotive 1/4 oz (each block) weights that I picked up at my LHS. Made a world of difference. The key is to insure once you are finished putting the weights in that the engine (without the tender) balances on the third set of Drivers.
Fergie
The Bachmann Spectrum locos are the easiest to add weights to–I’ve tried adding weight to the Proto 2000 2-8-8-2 and there just isn’t any room inside the boiler–at least not in my model. The Spectrum boilers come off relatively easily, the Proto’s are a BEAR!
But like Fergie says–and this is IMPORTANT–make sure that the loco is balanced after you add the weights. That will give your steamer a lot more ‘dig’ on the rails.
Tom
It depends how badly you want to add the weight. [;)] As I recall, the Bachmann 2-10-2 has plenty of room for added weight, although I returned both of mine to the store, as they were too long for my turntable. I have added weight to pretty well every loco I own, but I run DC and remove all unnecessary interior wiring, including lights. Since the work was done some time ago, I can’t recall exactly where all of the weight was added, but the photos below may give you some ideas.
Bachmann USRA Light Mountain: weight added in the domes, ahead of the factory weight, where the headlight board and wiring was located, and in new airtanks, made from brass tubing filled with lead. The added brass detail parts also helped -
Bachmann 2-8-0: weight added as with the 4-8-2, plus custom cast lead weights atop the frame (between the spring castings) and in the cab -
Athearn 2-8-2: in addition to the tricks used on the previous locos, I modified the internal factory weight, then cast new partial weights from lead. This takes some planning, but is a good way to make a major difference - the stock units weighed 12.5 oz., while the revised versions tip the scales at 15 oz., balanced at the centre drivers.
This shows the major components of the revised loco, including the cut-down original weight, the newly cast one, the lead-filled brass air tanks, and the custom cast frame weights -
Proto2000 USRA 0-8-0: again, all the usual tri
The balancing is also critical on curves. Too much weight aft will cause the Loco to jump the rail and keep going straight. If your loco is fast enough and has wings this may not be of concern[:-^]
Tom and Fergie are correct: the fact that the weight be balanced at the centre of the driver wheelbase is more important than the amount of weight added. Often, a small amount of properly balanced weight will improve a loco’s pulling capacity more than will a large, non-balanced weight. That CNR 2-10-2 was originally back-heavy, mostly due to a large replacement can motor. While it pulled fairly well, there was one curve on my layout where it (and only it) de-railed without fail. With the two front pairs of drivers off the rail, the loco would continue on, re-railing itself at the next turnout. [:O] With such an apparently strong motor, I felt confident that it could handle the extra weight, and it now tracks through that same curve as if it was not even there. This loco is probably at its weight limit for the motor, though: it can still readily slip its drivers when one manually restrains the tender, but a couple more ounces, draped over the boiler to maintain the balance-point, will prevent wheelslip under the same conditions - this can lead to rapid motor failure.
Wayne
Thanks everyone for your replies. I wouldn’t have thought about the ‘balance’ issue, but I can see how it would be important.
Jcopilot
Here’s a LINK to a thread which outlines the project that added the weight to the Athearn Mikado. The same techniques could be used for many steam locomotives.
Wayne