Im a noob How Heavy should my loco be??

[Anonymous]

Pound wise or ounces! how heavy should it be to size if it's a HO scale C44-9W? and is there a rule of thumb on how heavy they should be? thanks!

[Anonymous]

I know there is a Rule of thumb for rolling stock is it the same? I figure locos would of course be measured diferently?

[selector]

I don't believe that HO scale locos are meant to be scale weight necessarily due to all of the constraints placed upon the design by the drive and inner space of the shell. The manufacturers do the best they can...witness the lamentably light P2K Heritage Steam locos. However, for figuring targets, anything between a 0-8-0 and a Hudson, you should be near 16 oz (one pound), and from the medium-sized locos like the Heavy Mike and the Hudson, near 19 oz, and the larger stuff can go anywhere from 22 oz up to two full pounds (32 oz). This is ballpark, but your results will be heavily dependant on the inner reaches of the loco.

[dgwinup]

Generally speaking, more weight equals better traction, better traction equals more pulling and/or climbing ability. Most locos are limited in how much extra weight can be crammed into the shell without shorting something out.

You can check current draw on the stock loco, then keep piling weight on top until the current draw rises dramatically. Take some of the weight off and try to fit as much of the balance as possible inside the shell. That would be your ideal weight.

Darrell, quiet...for now

[rolleiman]

I know the HO Proto2000 E8/9 units (probably the E7 as well) weighs 20oz.. Adding weight to locos can increase traction and operation reliability but one should be careful in adding weight.. It can cause bearings to wear prematurely, motors to burn prematurely, and in a worse case scenerio, wheels to wear prematurely, if you add too much.. Darrell and Selector give pretty good advice on what to do..

Good luck,
Jeff