Bradstock Loco

[Osgood]

Why would the weight need reducing, Mike?

 

[Quintus]

Why would the weight need reducing, Mike?

Hi Tony,
I suppose it's a personal thing. I am not really comfortable handling a plastic bodied loco weighing around 2Kg, and I see no necessity to load the model to this extent. To put it into context, my kit built DJH Ivatt 2-6-2T weighs in at 1.1Kg, the same as my original Lionheart 45xx.
With the cast weight removed, the Heljan 61xx now tips the scales at 1.25Kg.
Why would it need to be heavier?
Regards
Mike

 

[simond]

2kg does seem excessive.

I suppose the proof of the pudding would be to load it until it wheel slips. If it’ll pull a prototypical train, it’ll do.

My guess is that at 2kg, it might simply stall, which does no good to the model, or the power supply.

 

[Quintus]

2kg does seem excessive.

I suppose the proof of the pudding would be to load it until it wheel slips. If it’ll pull a prototypical train, it’ll do.

My guess is that at 2kg, it might simply stall, which does no good to the model, or the power supply.

And possibly strip the nylon gears!

 

[Osgood]

That is heavy Mike, understood.

 

[Quintus]

5369 is also a Heljan model, but as the cast weight doubles as the motor mount and also retains the plastic bodywork, I could not discard it.
I have drilled a good number of 6mm holes in said casting in an attempt to lighten it a little.
Some have voiced concerns that the model picks up current from the tender only, I have had absolutely no problems with current collection on this loco when it was running on DC on my Melcombe Magna layout..
I have now fittied a Zimo MS 950 sound decoder which has built in stay alive, and will keep the sound going for about 45 secs if no traction is used.
My only problem now is when turning the loco, the tender tends to lift the extension bars a few thou, thus losing electrical contact during the 75 secs or so it takes to turn. Oh well, back to the drawing board!