A Weighty Matter

I added some weight to my cabooses. I noticed that sometime when backing my train into my yard tracks through the curve of an O-22 switch the car would derail.

I bought some metal straps from Home Depot. They are 1-1/4 inch wide, 1/8 inch thick.   I cut them into 3 inch pieces and stacked up 3 and put them into the caboose, held in place with tape.   The extra weight helped keep the caboose on the rails and had less problem with derailing.    I suppose someone might use lead fishing weights.

Steve

To answer the query:

Yes, Heavy in front works best for normal ops. BUT, backing up through switches with light cars is prone to derailment.

I made a simple balance from a 30" piece of track, took a new heavier (NOT Die Cast) car and added weight to all the old light cars to match.

Makes a world of difference.

Easy to use weights are from car repair shops - Tire Balance weights for mag wheels are peel-n-stick. They come in several sizes.

Thanks for the suggestions.  I will definitely buy some tire balance weights.  Found some that are inexpensive and won't detract from the look of my open-air rolling stock. 

I put the heavy cars in front and added some weight to the light cars, works great going forward, a small problem going backward.

Brent

I like to arrange 25 to 35 coal hopper cars behind my 4-8-8-4 steam engine.I put the die cast cars up front to reduce my chronic,"un coupling" problems.Also IMHO,ore cars are very light and un stable.In a 20 to 30 car consist an un planned "jack rabbit"movement.. will reap havoc.I added some weight to the cars and it doesn't seem any better.Nick