Trucks and Wheels

[doctorwayne]

starman

How would I go about adding the weight under my engine and not interfere with the track under the engine?

There's not a lot of room for extra weight on/in/or under most steam locomotives, so you'll likely need to disassemble the loco to find the room.

Here's a LINK that shows how to improve the performance of the Athearn Genesis Mikado (would work for the Pacific, too).  While it's not the model you have, there may be some ideas there that would be useful.

This LINK shows how to cast your own lead weights.

A LINK showing a rebuild of Bachmann 10 Wheelers, including adding weight.

This LINK covers rebuilds of a brass Mogul and a similar Mogul from IHC, also including adding weight tips.

Another LINK covering the rebuild of a Bachmann USRA 2-6-6-2, featuring more sneaky places to hide weight.

This one's

perhaps a bit of a stretch, covering the rebuilding of a brass USRA 2-10-2 into a model of a specific CNR locomotive, as was done with the prototype.  The giant weight in the fourth photo is the main tie-in to your query about adding weight.  However, this locomotive is actually too heavy:  it will pull a lot of cars, but if the train length (and weight) exceeds its abilities, the loco will actually stall, unable to slip its drivers.  This can lead to a burnt-out motor, and such excess weight should be avoided.  Fortunately, the owner is wise enough to not over-tax it.  Were it mine, I'd shorten the weight.

Disassembling a steam locomotive can be daunting for first timers, so take notes, make sketches (or take photos) as you work, and keep the parts organised/labelled.  Most steam locomotives can be disassembled (boiler/cab from running gear) by removing 3 or 4 screws, and unless you plan to alter the frame, this will let you see where there's existing room to add weight.
Replacing the plastic air reservoirs, as mentioned in several of the links, is a fairly easy method to add weight without disturbing too much of the detail on your loco, and blocks of lead in the cab, or sheet lead, on the underside of the cab roof, are other not-too-intrusive methods of getting a little more power out of your loco.

Wayne

[SeeYou190]

starman

How would I go about adding the weight under my engine and not interfere with the track under the engine?

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Most locomotives do not have space under the locomotive to add wieght. Usually you need to look for space inside the shell or boiler.

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I use 1/32" sheet lead to add most weight. It can be cut easily and glued in empty spaces.

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I run short trains on level track, so weight it not a big issue for me.

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-Kevin

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[Dave553]

This is exactly what I do as well. Intermountain wheels after the truck tuner, and the cars roll very freely.

richg1998

Some years ago our club had all of us change to Intermountain machined metal wheels. We would keep a bag of one hundred on hand and a Micro Mark truck tuner. A slight touch up from the tuner.

We prefered them over the black Kadee sintered wheels. Compressed metal powder which is ok. They do sell.

Rich