Car Weighting

[bbussey]

It primarily allows for locomotives to pull prototype-length trains, and it reduces stress on the mechanism.
I want my locomotives to be able to pull a prototype-length train up a grade on a curve.
I'm also slowly changing things over to metal wheels so that the center of gravity is as low as possible.

Do you have prototypical grades as well?  I've never had a problem pulling lengthy freight or passenger consists with a pair of units on the point, so I really don't see the logic in removing weight.  The negatives far outweigh the positives.  Adding metal wheels while removing the car weight won't do much for you, if anything.

[jnevis]

The only car I've had to add weight to was the ConCor bi-levels I got a while back.  They are the worst possible combination for my limited radius layout/test track, long and LIGHT, and they'd run forward and reverse over the whole distance (Cab car).  Unweighted when running in reverse they'd fly off in corners and occasionally over the turnout.  I don't remember how much I added, maybe an ounce or so, right in the center, but it was also lower to the track, and they haven't since.

[Rossford Yard]

I generally follow the NMRA guides.  With the .15  oz per inch and a meter showing only 0.1 increments, I may not get it exact.

I used to go just over, if there was a chance it would be light.  Now, with a helix, I go a bit light.

When switching, especially pushing, I notice a difference with weighted cars.  And, I do have problems with 89 ft auto racks on my helix, even after cutting the trip pins.  The only ones that resist the lateral force enough to stay on track are the MT racks, which, with that acrylic insert, weigh a whopping 2.2 oz (NMRA would be about 1.5 oz. But, even weighing my RC racks to that, they still pull off the track when MT don't. 

I haven't weighted them all to 2.2 oz, but have considered it, even if I need 3 Katos on the front and 2 pushers!  Bascially, I don't run long cars down the loop now.

[craigolio1]

If unweighted cars are at the front of the consist, I will see a derailment about 50% of the time.  If the unweighted cars are placed at the rear, no derailments.

I model BC Rail. Most loads went south (down hill), and empties uphill. In both cases they used mid train helpers and a pusher set on one mountain pass.

BC Rail ran their TOFC traffic on the rear of all trains. They ran some of the steepest grades on the tightest curves in country.   Much like a model railroader.

There is a prototype for everything.

Craig