Where Can I add some weight??

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

Hey guys

I have some coal hoppers that I like to leave empty, the problem is that I find there way to light ,where can I add some weight to them and what should I use? also where could I find it?

Jeremy

2

The common place to put weights on hoppers is the only place that you can - on the bottom side of the slope sheets. This is the sloped bottoms nearest the ends. I think there may be commercially available weights for some makes of cars. I seem to recall seeing an article recently in one of the model magazines showing thiis being done.

Look around, there are possibilities.

Bob Boudreau

3

Two things I have heard of but not tried are:

  1. Put in a false bottom with weight between the it and the real bottom.
  2. Wrap solder around the axles on the trucks.
    Enjoy
    Paul
4

Adair Shops has weights that are hidden. Check out the web site:

http://www.adairshops.com/

They have quite a collection of hidden weights that are made out of a very dense alloy. The kits are sort of ‘pricy’, but work great for flat cars & other open cars like hoppers & gondolas.

Jim Bernier

5

thanks for the ideas guys,I’ll give them a try this afternoon

Jeremy

6

I cut sheet lead to look like the slope sheet inside the car and use paintable latex caulk to glue it inside the car. Paint it the car color and most people never notice it.

Dave H.

7

Jeremy,
I’ve used another approach that I think works well. I went to a local gun shop and obtained lead shot (actually the guy gave me a 4 lb. bag that was already opened, when I told him it was for model railroading). I put enough into the bottom of the hoppers to bring them up to an appropriate weight and cover them with “Tacky” glue, available at craft stores. Tacky glue is better than white glue because it’s intended to bond dissimilar materials such as lead shot and plastic. I then sprinkle a light coating of “coal”, available from Woodland Scenics and other manufacturers, onto the glue before it dries. The hoppers look empty, even though there is what I call a little residual coal left over from the last drop in the bottom of each.

For me, this works. I hope you will like this approach. Please be aware that lead shot is dangerous if you touch it and then handle food and ingest even the slightest amount of lead. Use gloves to handle it or be sure to wash your hands well after touching. I use tweezers to place the shot in the hopper so I don’t actually touch the lead.

Regards,
Mondo

8

Let me add to what Mondo suggested. I have used the same approach on the underside of passenger cars with great success. I echo his comments on not touching the lead, mine came from a person who reloaded his own ammunition so it too was free. You can always use rubber gloves or latex gloves while dispersing the shot and then as pointed out, wash before doing anything else. Lead comes off the shot so don’t take any chances.

Dale