My first model and pieces are missing...(frieght car weights)

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

I have spent the bettter part of today putting together most of my first model anything, a Branchline Bueprint Series 40’ boxcar. It already looks like it has seen years of use and collision without any attempt on my behalf to weather it, especially the grab irons and such[:)]. Anyway, I knew it would be brutal and that’s no big deal. The problem is the directions tell me to add the provided washers to the floor of the car but there are no washers. Now, before listing this I read the couple of pages on weights and cars that is a few posts down from this one–so please don’t flame me as I have low self-esteem-- as well as the references to scale weight for cars and materials that may be used. But what about the washers that were assigned the job? What was their weight? Again its a Branchline Blueprint Series. It would feel good to complete my first model.
Or, I could just weight the car down with…

2

Did you look under the cardboard on the bottom of the box? Sometime they are glued there so that they don’t rattle around.Or behind the box end flaps?

3

Perhaps another trip to your LHS and they should get ya going. I purchased a turnout that some flake sodered and melted the ties, then slip it back to the hobbie shop for an replacement, a month or so afer i purchased it I opened the box and was a tad miffed to say the least. Since then I inspect all purchases and have found more damaged and pilferd goods. So I now dont really get to interested unless the iner box is plastic sealed. Sorry about the problem and enjoy the hobbie…John

4

Thanks guys. Lesson learned, “look under flaps.”

5

Been there…make certain that the itty bitty envelope that usually holds the wheel sets and screws is ABSOLUTELY empty, before you toss it. Those small washers can get wedged in the bottom fold of those envelopes real easy… As for using them to reach the scale weight of the car, better buy about 700 more of them…they are pretty small and light weight…[:D][:D]

6

I would suggest getting a cheap postal scale or something similar. I like to get my car weights close to NMRA recommendations as I think it helps car tracking. I also think cars weighted properly allow you to run longer trains.

7

I got a deal on a cheap digital read out scale and I keep it at my work bench, with a copy of NMRA weighting standards pinned to the wall above it.
Dave Nelson