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NMRA Weight Specs

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  • Member since
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NMRA Weight Specs
Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, June 3, 2006 11:57 AM
Hi all, Been looking around for a recommended weight spec's list for Plastic model cars, so far have had no luck.
I recall MR mag. published one years ago. Is it still available... thanks...
  • Member since
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  • From: Orig: Tyler Texas. Lived in seven countries, now live in Sundown, Louisiana
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Posted by jeffrey-wimberly on Saturday, June 3, 2006 12:05 PM
Look at this link. You may find something while you dig around.
http://www.nmra.org/

Running Bear, Sundown, Louisiana
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Dr. Frankendiesel aka Scott Running Bear
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  • Member since
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  • From: SE Minnesota
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Posted by jrbernier on Saturday, June 3, 2006 12:16 PM
Here is the NMRA specs:

http://www.nmra.org/standards/rp-20_1.html

Basically the 'RP' wants 1 ounce, plus 1/2 ounce for each inch of car length(HO). A 40' box car is 6" long, so 1 + (6 X .5) = 4 ounces. Most HO cars are very light(2 1/2 ounces is typical). As you can see, the weight increases with the overall length. They key is that all of your cars should weigh the same in 'proportion'. All of my cars are weighted as close to these numbers as possible(flat cars are real tough to weight), and I use metal wheel sets in all of my cars. Operation is excellent, and the cars roll so much better with some 'mass' built into them. Of course I may not be able to pull as many cars, but that is just an excuse for more engines!

Jim

Modeling BNSF  and Milwaukee Road in SW Wisconsin

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Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, June 3, 2006 12:18 PM
Thanks Jeff... Found exactly what I was looking for there. Although you have to poke around a bit to get to it...
  • Member since
    June 2004
  • From: Orig: Tyler Texas. Lived in seven countries, now live in Sundown, Louisiana
  • 25,640 posts
Posted by jeffrey-wimberly on Saturday, June 3, 2006 12:18 PM
Thanks for the link. I'll add it to my library.

Running Bear, Sundown, Louisiana
          Joined June, 2004

Dr. Frankendiesel aka Scott Running Bear
Space Mouse for president!
15 year veteran fire fighter
Collector of Apple //e's
Running Bear Enterprises
History Channel Club life member.
beatus homo qui invenit sapientiam


  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, June 3, 2006 12:23 PM
Many thanks Jim... I found that page and it's just what I wanted.
I recall, years ago MR published a calculated list in their Mag. which I used to subscribe to. it was very handy and I used it all the time. Somehow I seem to have misplaced it... thanks again, all.

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