Recently purchased Hornby R35552 "Aberporth Grange." Seems very light and very poor pulling power. Any suggestions how and where to add some weight inside loco? Don't want to go route of "Bullfrog Snot" if can be avoided.
George
North Carolina
Hornby "Grange" R3552 Aberporth
Re: Hornby "Grange" R3552 Aberporth
Before anything more elaborate is done, test the tender to make sure it is free rolling. Hornby tender pick ups can be very draggy, best bent away from the tender wheel backs.
Increase weight with lead inside the boiler and cab, distributed to keep the centre of balance as near to the centre of the coupled wheelbase as possible. With the exception of the B12/3 with a cast metal boiler, Hornby 4-6-0's are typically underweight. It's helpful to remove any mazak ballast if it is possible to get it out, as replacement with the same volume of lead supplies much more weight. Otherwise it is just a matter of shaping lead to fit within the boiler. Sheet lead on the cab floor and under the roof is often helpful in achieiving the best balance.
Increase weight with lead inside the boiler and cab, distributed to keep the centre of balance as near to the centre of the coupled wheelbase as possible. With the exception of the B12/3 with a cast metal boiler, Hornby 4-6-0's are typically underweight. It's helpful to remove any mazak ballast if it is possible to get it out, as replacement with the same volume of lead supplies much more weight. Otherwise it is just a matter of shaping lead to fit within the boiler. Sheet lead on the cab floor and under the roof is often helpful in achieiving the best balance.