BTW, stable iridium (not a radioactive isotope) is only $379/gram. In practice, iridium may be heavier than osmium. Osmium is much cheaper at $328/gram. Let's see, an ounce of osium would cost only about $9300. Gold is much cheaper!
There is a Z scaler who took a Micro Trains GP35 and more than doubled it's weight by replacing the light board with a 1/8" thick slab of tungsten. If I remember he didn't use any special tools to mill it. He did say though that tungsten carbide would ruin anything used to cut it. I'd imagine that means he used pure tungsten. I just PMed him asking about a 1/2 x 1/2 x 2" chunk. It could be shaped with a grinding wheel (OK it would take a while) I use 1/16" TIG electrodes in this Nn3 locomotive: http://picasaweb.google.com/ErieChris333/Nn3/photo#5120404622844070722 They come in larger diameters, check a welding shop for them. You do want the pure ones (green) http://cgi.ebay.com/Tungsten-rod-el...ryZ29402QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
This is getting to complicated, I think I'll just be content with pulling 10 cars. Engines used to pull better when manufactuers didn't have to worry about us eating the lead weights.:tb-biggrin: Come on guys, anyone put a decoder in yet, when I get mine it'll be the first thing I do if it passes a test run on DC.
Here are some excellent detailed pics of the loco. http://www.nscalesupply.com/Lif/LIF-LocomotiveUSRA0-8-0.html As far as weighting the loco I think will look at trying to even up the weight distribution and getting more over the rear drivers. Will have to look into it when mine arrives.
Come on guys, anyone put a decoder in yet, when I get mine it'll be the first thing I do if it passes a test run on DC.[/QUOTE] My local store dealer just called and Walthers is recommending to him the NCE decoder (their stock number 524-130). They indicated that the weight in the tender will need to be removed. It's a "z" scale decoder (1 amp, 4 function). I've ordered one and we'll see how it goes.
I just went to the North Coast Engineering site and the decoder Walthers is recommending is an eight pin vs. the six pin plug on the engine. Anyone else think this may be a problem?
Bob, The deocder plug in the tender is a standard 8 pin NMRA plug. The problem people are running into is the plug on the Digitrax DZ123 is too thick and won't let the tender shell fit fully back on. Maybe that is why they are reccomending the NCE decoder.
Ah, so the decoder doesn't plug into the connection on the engine, but into a different plug in the tender...(sigh)...sometimes my ignorance of things electrical is too impressive for words :-( Walthers is saying the NCE decoder also requires the tender weight to be removed. Not having the decoder in front of me, I'm wondering if it could just be machined. I'm having zero problems with stalling through my (many) code 55 turnouts and would hate to lose that level of reliability.
These are the sort of things it would be nice if the manufacturers could let us know about a bit sooner. Apparently not all standard DCC plugs are standard DCC plugs. I guess I can cut the plug off the DZ123 and use it for something else.
Found out that when the loco was manufactered, that a tap broke off in the hole. I can't fix that, so it has to go back.
You can draw your own conclusions on production and quality control from that. They obviously don't even look at them before they pack them.
For anyone watching their weight: http://www.science.co.il/PTelements.asp?s=Density Gold and Tungsten are neck and neck for density depending witch chart you use.
Exactly...a slab. No complex or even curved edges. Complex milling or even horizontal end milling are not parctical. I've never turned a billet in a lathe, but since most metal working tools use tungsten on the cutting edge, I would anticipate that using a lathe would not be practical. Grinding is the limit of billet working.
Walthers 0-8-0 Howdy folks: Finally getting the model railroad bug again, and I have a question. I've read the previous postings on the 0-8-0, and was wondering if it runs poorly on straight DC also. I'd like to get an NP unit, but if it doesn't run well, I'll pass
I posted this link over on the A forum and I thought I would post it here. For those who want to sitck in more weight in the 0-8-0 you can get tungsten here. Pinewood Derby Champ - Car Tips Lube It comes in cylinders, cube, plates, disk, spheres, granules and powder. It should work great for adding a lot of weight. Good Luck Lucas in Alaska
Bill, They run great, they will crawl a tie at a time if you want. The only issue is finding a decoder for if you want to run DCC and new, they don't pull more than 10 cars. The pull can be fixxed because there is plenty of room for weight in the loco. I won't be messing with weight till the loco get's a couple hours run time on it first. I want to see what a good break in will do for it.
Mine (2nd one) runs fine on DC. I'm waiting for a decoder to see about DCC, which is what I bought it for.
