Weight not included?

Hi All.   As a kit making novice, and unlikely to complete a satisfactory build, without a lot of faff? When one purchases a kit , there isn't a weight nor a "built in compartment ". My question is Why. RTR manufacturers have found it necessary, for good running? Then why not so for kit makers? And how much weight would be required without putting too much strain on the loco? Coal wagons are not always full, where you could possibly add weight inside a Van body.   All the best. Kevin

For weight amounts, I follow the H0 standard

also  http://amra.asn.au/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2016/03/massstandard.pdf

Hi Ron.  Thank you, I will study that. Thank you.  Kevin

Hi Kevin,

Same here, I follow NMRA 20.1 RP. with suitable adjustment for OO. It calls for 1 oz plus 0.5 oz per inch body length. Which is for HO (1:87) not OO (1:76). So you should probably increase it to 1.15 oz plus 0.5 oz per inch body length (or 1.68 oz plus 0.5 oz per inch body length if you use the S-scale recommendation for 1:64). OO falls between HO and S in scale. I use the S-scale adjusted to OO. Brass kits don't have them as they are normally heavy enough once you finish soldering them up. Even them it probably wont reach NMRA RP. If it needs it then it's up to you to find the space.

UK RTR stock generally comes light. I just had a look at a Bachmann open coal truck. It's 0.9 oz and 2.25" long, it should be  2.4 oz relative to the HO RP or 2.93 relative to the S RP. I would normally add at least another 1.75 oz. If you are going to use lead, use lead sheet rather than lead weights. If it's an empty truck make a thin false bottom from styrene sheet and cut the lead sheet to size, glue to bottom and cover with false bottom. It's not noticeable. Be warned however, taking it up to 3 oz is going to affect the pulling power of smaller locomotives. Not an issue for shunting a few wagons or vans, taking 20 out on the mainline could be taxing that small motor (and possibly the decoder) as it's pulling 3 times more than normal (60 oz vs 18 oz). Benefit of course is all that weight allows magnetic uncoupling with minimal lurching. And it will go better through points and frogs.

As an example, a piece of lead sheet 1.3mm thick cut to the dimensions of the floor of a 10 or 12 ton truck will give you nearly 1oz additional weight (it comes to around 25g). Still light, but better than nothing. You can get lead sheet from EE or the plumbing section of the hardware store.

I use steel nuts as weights in my freight cars. They are sufficiently high not to interfere with uncoupling magnets.

DITD.

Nigel

Hi Nigel. Thank you.I was thinking of flashing, and it should be easy enough to cut , by using a pair of tin snips. Maybe Bachmann chose a lighter wagon weight, to allow for the quality of their products? A "False Bottom"? That sounds like a reality TV show subtitle . How many different size motors would typically Bachmann use in their range? I had touched on the subject in another thread. I have three Bachmann 0-6-0's one being a 08 class Diesel with two ex GWR Pannier tanks in London Transport livery, Where most of  my other "Loco 's" are either Bachmann or Hornby EMU's ( Jeff the SR man has coupled a number of EMU's together, most likely in "Consist"? but don't quote me on that one?)and of course the two Bachmann Thumpers.where the Hornby M7 so I have been told "Would not pull the Skin off of a rice pudding "
But I cannot imagine how or why I would wish to do that. I have read about the Dave Jones 02 loco, which I am yet to put through its paces having derailment problems. I really need to get a permanent home for my layout , rather than it being a " take apart modular layout", then I can get things moving?    Kevin

Hi Nigel
A follow on? I have purchased a packet of three "Erbauer" 2 mm Hexagon Shank HSS Drills. Now I all set for cleaning the axle bearings . Kevin

Hi Kevin,

Bachmann motors - no idea, but from my limited stock I recon they use 2, one for small engines, the other for big diesels. Both rectangular cans. Can they pull toffee? That depends on how much torque/traction and the gearing. Light wagons (and carriages)? No idea why (apart from UK manufacturers not following any standard, NEM or NMRA).

Bearings - Goferit!

Nigel

Hi Nigel. 

Thank you for your reply, I'm not that much into remembering such statistics. Perhaps? if I had stuck with model railways from my previous foray, it may have been different. :sad: But that's life. And whilst the general public are willing to pay "big bucks" , the likes of Bachmann and their "Chinese Bosses" will churn out the same substandard goods.
If I had decided to follow the American Dream? and gone with the "Big Boy" or the modern equivalent ? then perhaps I wouldn't be having the problems. But if I can follow Ron's advice? and slip a piece of "Stuff" in the NEM pocket under the coupling to prop it up.   All the best. Kevin