Weight of a four wheel locomotive

[PhilP]

Henri,
However you build-up additional weight, remember this is an Otto it is based-on..

Build-up the weight slowly, and make sure the loco/tram will still slip. - Check with a load on the coupler, it does not drag the back-end down, and stall..

PhilP.

 

[AustrianNG]

When you say that you have taken the traction tyres off, how exactly have you done that? Did you replace the wheels, fill the groove with metal, plastic or whatever?

I simply took off the traction tyre and ran the loco as is. That might be a problem on Peco track as the railhead is narrower (I think).

 

[dunnyrail]

I simply took off the traction tyre and ran the loco as is. That might be a problem on Peco track as the railhead is narrower (I think).

Hm my wizzy cranks runs sans a tyre with no problems at all.

 

[Henri]

The donor Otto is sans traction tire anyway...

Did some weighting tonight:



Added up to 1600 grams on traction side...



... resulted in 907 grams on the other end ...

Total weight is now about 2,5 kg. This engine IS a battery conversion candidate... So I’m figuring out what to do as a battery conversion does have huge impact on total weight.

Nevertheless this is a very educative exercise so far!

And there a few more bumbs in the road to get it running smooth... Darn R1’s...

 

[PhilP]

With batteries (and electronics) in the boiler-space, you have to be creative with where you stuff weight..

 

[jwchenard]

With adding weight, I’ve always been told to make sure that the wheels can still slip if the loco were to stall By hitting an obstacle

and tyre wheel weights, or old foreign coins make good testing weights.

I like to cast my own weights, but that’s a different conversation

Dan

Just stumbled onto your post here. I'm in the process of building a G-scale locomotive, and have been considering the merits of putting lots of weight in so I can switch long cuts of passenger cars. The wheel slip limit that you suggested is perfect. Maximize available traction, but guard against damage to motor and/or gears. Thanks.