Adding extra weight to the Bachmann Tram

[JimmyB]

As an observation - is the weight of the battery pack going to give a riding issue, or is it not heavy enough to worry about?

So I thought I would elucidate how I added weight to this tram, however this could be applied on any loco, I use divers ballast and resin.

In this case the additional weight is to counterbalance the weight of the batteries, which weighed in at 96 grams.

First I build a container from styrene that should be of sufficient size to hold the weight and will fit the location:


Although the container is thoroughly with a liquid styrene glue of your choice, in the instance Slaters Mek-Pak, experience has shown they can leak, so masking tape is applied to the container:



The weight of choice divers bagged ballast, (I use to use lead shot, but also no longer available). Working out that the resin required would be about 15 -20 grams, 80 grams was the weight of the container and ballast:



The resin mixed and poured, until the weight is achieved, in this case total weight is 96 grams:



Weight made it is fixed in place, in this case with Velco, I only use the genuine article, if it is good enough to hold some aircraft components in place it will hold this weight.

 

[dunnyrail]

Interesting way of doing it and very neat Jimmy. I think there is an alternative to lead shot in fishing tackle shops that may be more readily accessible to those of us not so close to the sea. Have to say I have a modest supply of old car lead balancing weights and roofing led that could be cut and moulded into a resin shape much as you have done.

 

[JimmyB]

Interesting way of doing it and very neat Jimmy. I think there is an alternative to lead shot in fishing tackle shops that may be more readily accessible to those of us not so close to the sea. Have to say I have a modest supply of old car lead balancing weights and roofing led that could be cut and moulded into a resin shape much as you have done.

Jon, when my supply of lead shot ran out, it took some searching to find an alternative, and as lead is now subject REACH, finding a none lead alternative was important to me.

 

[Rhinochugger]

Jon, when my supply of lead shot ran out, it took some searching to find an alternative, and as lead is now subject REACH, finding a none lead alternative was important to me.

I think the country shooting stores have had a lead alternative for a while - yer pheasant just doesn't taste the same any more

 

[Madman]

No more lead ! Oil based paints on their way out ! Red lead paint has been banned for decades ! When you know better, you do better. I agree, but if one is a responsible user of said Bad Stuff, I see little danger in using them.

And let me add this bit of thought. Does anyone think all of the plastics and other modern materials are any better for us or the environment ? Lead does float about in the ocean and create new land masses. The red lead used on bridges, like the Golden Gate at one time isn't being chewed by toddlers. And what makes us feel that whatever is in water based paints is any safer than oil based ?

I could go on and on but I won't. I've already taken too much license and don't want to steal this thread or make it go off in a different tangent.

 

[Rhinochugger]

No more lead ! Oil based paints on their way out ! Red lead paint has been banned for decades ! When you know better, you do better. I agree, but if one is a responsible user of said Bad Stuff, I see little danger in using them.

And let me add this bit of thought. Does anyone think all of the plastics and other modern materials are any better for us or the environment ? Lead does float about in the ocean and create new land masses. The red lead used on bridges, like the Golden Gate at one time isn't being chewed by toddlers. And what makes us feel that whatever is in water based paints is any safer than oil based ?

I could go on and on but I won't. I've already taken too much license and don't want to steal this thread or make it go off in a different tangent.

It would be interesting to see how history judges us

 

[DafyddElvy]

I use the weights the tire fitters use to balance wheels when a tyre is changed or repaired, I have no idea what they are made from, some form of lead substitute I suspect, but I get them for nowt and they do the same job as lead weights.
They do need a good clean, which could probably be done in a dish washer, or warm soapy water with a brush as I clean them.

The important part is they a free, the car garage only throws them away so it also save them money.

David

 

[Greg Elmassian]

we have changed to zinc here, years ago, including trains and car wheels, etc. some steel also if you were following this with Aristo craft locos.

Still get lead from divers weights, and fishing sinkers.

be careful if you mix weight pellets with glue, I did one with titebond and the glue absorbed moisture and the whole mess expanded a bit.

Greg

 

[JimmyB]

we have changed to zinc here, years ago, including trains and car wheels, etc. some steel also if you were following this with Aristo craft locos.

Still get lead from divers weights, and fishing sinkers.

be careful if you mix weight pellets with glue, I did one with titebond and the glue absorbed moisture and the whole mess expanded a bit.

Greg

PVA type glue and lead is a big no-no quite a few examples of the expansion damaging models, hence why I started with resin when using lead, and have continued with resin with the alternate item.

 

[Greg Elmassian]

Yes, I indeed noticed that you did not make the mistake I did. My post was to specifically warn not to use PVA glue.

I don't know a lot about the general purpose glues, in the USA people think that this stuff is the answer to all prayers.

Greg

 

[Paul M]

It would be interesting to see how history judges us

We'll never find out

 

[phils2um]

I did something similar to add weight to my two LGB 50050 equipped track cleaning cars. Wrapped tape around the spring loaded shoe plungers to keep them clear of the glue, filled them with lead shot from diving weights then potted the lead in epoxy. It greatly improves their effectiveness and eliminated the need to add additional weight, other than metal wheelsets, to the wagons.

 

[Greg Elmassian]

When I was "potting" lead shot, I tried some really "thick" blocks and they got pretty warm as the epoxy "cured" .... I made a note to perhaps do in 1 inch layers if I ever had to do a really thick one.

Greg