736 Berkshire Question!!!

[lionel2]

Hello, I want to put a traction weight inside my 736 bershire....how do I do it?? They have holes pre drilled to mount the weight and I have the screws and washers.  But how does the boiler fit on top?? Because that boiler was a casting for the 2046 which had a screw on top which screwd into the motor housing.  But the 736 does not have that screw hole on top of the boiler...when i looked under the boiler, inside of it there is a knob of diecast where the screw hole was supposed to be, but is filled in because on the 736 casting they dont have a screw hole to hold the boiler down the screws to hold it down are under the cab.  How do I get rid of the little knob on the boiler to make the boiler fit on the chassie with the weight inside?? do I cut it out or do i cut a notch in the weight to make it fit on top...i have no clue...i would rather cut the weight instead of the original 736 boiler...the weight does have a notch cut out but it is not big enough...should i make it bigger?? so it will fit...thank you very much.

[ChiefEagles]

Good question.  You talking about a Post War 736?  They are pretty heavy and have Magnitraction.  Pull up a storm.

[3railguy]

I would notch the weight. Once you do, you may find other interferences. In that case, just keep hacking. You can hack just about anything off the weight with cheap 4 1/2" angle face grinder and cutting wheel. Be careful not to moosh any wiring causing shorts or disconection. 736's weren't designed to have weight added to them but I guess it wouldn't hurt.

[lionel2]

I just figured with the weight it would pull even more...i will cut away at the weight but i will take it off the engine first the hack away and make it all fit smoothly...thanks...yes its a postwar 736...boy its gonna be heavy with that weight inside...i installed weights in all my turbines too and they pull almost twice as much...but the double worm drive turbine cannot have weights due to the horizontal motor...thank you very much.

[Jumijo]

Don't alter or damage the 736 boiler shell to accomodate a weight that isn't supposed to be there! My 736 from 1950 weighs plenty and pulls like a mule. No need for any extra weight.

Jim 

[jimsrpo]

I never heard of having to add weight to a 736.  They pull fine as is.  Even the 726RR version without magnetraction is a good puller.  What weight is it that you're trying to add?

Jim

[ADCX Rob]

The weight must be cut/ground.  I have done this for my 726RR, it is a terrific modification.  It will add more pulling power to any Berkshire or Turbine regardless of other posts here.  I like to run 25-30 cars, so it really is a big help. 

I have not run my 736's in years due to the fantastic pulling of my 726RR.  For some reason, & I can't quite figure it out, I like the 726RR better - it is certainly in worse condition and has been repainted.  Perhaps because of all it's been through - it was salvaged from a house fire(not my house) that destroyed the rest of the consist(it is all in the junk heap on the layout - I should take pics & post).

Rob