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Adding Weight to Freight and Passenger Cars
Donald has an N scale question for readers:
“How do I break open the N scale freight and passenger cars to add weight and what is best to use for that extra weight, hopefully keeping them on the tracks?”
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6 Responses to Adding Weight to Freight and Passenger Cars
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Some suggestions on weighting cars. First you can use a small screwdriver to open the sides of boxcars by prying the sides out enough to release the bottom. Be careful that you don’t break the shell, but it should pop off easily. Once you have the shell off you can put a quarter ounce weight (you can buy them on E-bay or at auto parts stores that have sticky tape on the back that you peel off.) on the floor of the car. Try to center it front to read and side to side so the car rides flat and smooth. Most cars will come apart when pried from the side or end so that the floor comes out with the wheel sets and couple attached to it. This also gives you a chance to check for coupler height and wheels to help remove derailment problems. Good luck and don’t try to force the separation it will come apart without tons of force. Passenger cars usually have the top come off to accomplish the same thing.
Good luck, Bill
Hello Bill, saw you reply, do you use a protypical weight to coach or wagon formula or is it just trial and error.
If you cannot open the car to get inside, glue thin lead or copper sheet to the underside on the car wherever you can fit it in. Alternatively, “Liquid Lead” is a product consisting of tiny lead balls. Apply glue then apply the balls.
As for a formula, an N gauge forum may have one, but the weight to be applied will depend on the height of the (eventual) centre of gravity. Weight higher up may provide a more realistic slower side to side sway.
It may be necessary to try small increments of weight and see how the car performs.
If your layout has gradients and you run long trains, you may want to carefully limit the total amount of weight the loco has to pull !-)
Thanks for the tips. I won’t be able to try any of this for a some time as the railroad is packed up for our move in June. Hopefully I’ll be back at it in our new home before Christmas.
Go to This recommended practice
( RP-20.1) Shows the “ideal” weight for scales and car length. You will need a postage scale, cheap at office supply stores. By following these guide lines you’ll be at or close to thee weight for good operation
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My first note was supposed to show the URL but it didn’t print. To get there, Google NMRA standards. Have fun.