Rolling Stock Tune-up

Good article on getting a car fleet in good order. 

I've created a table (in Excel) that I keep on my workbench that gives me the NMRA weight for cars in 1/4" increments when you measure the length.

Also, another good (less costly) way to adjust the weight of cars is to use self-adhesive wheel weights that can be purchased online.

David

I saw in a magazine years ago

I saw in a magazine years ago where the data for car weights were indicated along side a piece of test track with the "zero" or base weight point being where he mounted the Kadee coupler gage. No more calculation or measuring  each car length, it was right on the work bench test track in 1/2 oz, increments.

Steve  

Rolling Stock Tune-up

For many prototypes the NMRA weight RP is to heavy in my view. Many open or flat cars using plastic construction cannot be weighted to the NMRA RP. For many small steam locomotives it makes the maximum train length that can be pulled shorter than the prototype length. Also the theory suggests that a simple linear formula without the starting value will give improved maximum train length. I have been using 2 simpler formulas for my H0 models, a  lighter formula of 0.4g/mm for passenger cars (=NEM and AMRA standards) and 0.55g/mm (= AMRA standard), which is close to 1/2oz/inch for freight.

On checking wheels, If you use RTR track, then using the NMRA gauge to check wheels does not guarantee trouble free running through RTR turnouts. This is a result of RTR turnouts not being made to NMRA standards. The way I check these days is to use  digital calipers, referring to the AMRA wheel standard that is designed around RTR turnout dimensions.

Terry Flynn

 
http://angelfire.com/clone/rail/index.html
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HO wagon weight and locomotive tractive effort estimates

DC control circuit diagrams

HO scale track and wheel standards

Any scale track standard and wheel spread sheet

AMRA standards http://www.amra.asn.au/standards.htm

Can we see

David, could you share that Excel table?

car weights

A-west sells you stick on lead weights for weighting your cars at a very high cost.  Go to any auto parts store, and ask for a box of Tape-a-weights.  They come in 1/2 oz and 1 oz sizes.  They are used to balance tires.  A box of them gives you pounds of weights for a lot less than what you pay A-west for the exact same thing.

Richard