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Lionel NYC 0-4-0 "Yard Chief" Switcher

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  • Member since
    August 2012
  • 79 posts
Lionel NYC 0-4-0 "Yard Chief" Switcher
Posted by RAVL on Wednesday, August 21, 2013 9:37 AM

I have the MPC Yard Chief 0-4-0 switcher.  One of my favorite engines but one thing that annoys me is that the light weight of the tender makes derailments fairly easy.  I am thinking of adding some ballast weight to the tender (perhaps some automotive style wheel weights) and was curious if anyone here had any better thoughts or experience.  Thanks in advance. 

  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: Austin, TX
  • 10,096 posts
Posted by lionelsoni on Wednesday, August 21, 2013 2:22 PM

I have weights in a tender, baggage, and other head-end cars to help them around my O27 curves.  I like to use prototype railroad spikes (or pieces of them) for the weights.  They're not as heavy as lead; but there's usually plenty of room; and spikes seem somehow more appropriate.

Bob Nelson

  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: US
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Posted by overall on Thursday, August 22, 2013 10:04 AM

I have never added lead to engines, I have added it to cars.I have some printer's lead given to me many years ago now. I added wieght to cars for the same reason as Lionel soni above, to help keep them on the 027 track going around curves.

  • Member since
    April 2007
  • From: MICH
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Posted by sir james I on Saturday, August 24, 2013 9:22 AM

Something I always seemed to have plenty of. Washers make good weights.

"IT's GOOD TO BE THE KING",by Mel Brooks 

  Charter Member- Tardis Train Crew (TTC)   - Detroit3railers-  Detroit Historical society Glancy Modular trains- Charter member BTTS

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    September 2004
  • 194 posts
Posted by riverrailfan on Friday, August 30, 2013 7:18 PM

Ihave a MPC 0-4-0 and haven't had this issue but I'm using Fast Track.

 

Since I'm a automotive technician I have used aluminum wheel weights to weight cars. It is double stick tape so easy to install and stays in place.

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