Identify and use hundreds of woods
Articles Forums Gallery Marketplace Videos

WoodCentral Forums

Est. 1998 — 27 years of woodworking knowledge

100+ Wood Species + Full-Shop Services: Lumber, Veneer, Tools & CNC. Everything in One Place.

How to weigh a 200 ton locomotive

Posts

How to weigh a 200 ton locomotive

Edited #1

Peter Martin

The following is from https://metalworkforums.com/showthread.php?t=210928
I thought it might make an interesting question for our trivia forum. 

Looking for ideas, guidance, thoughts etc. from the brains trust out there.

We are starting to look at ways of weighing our locomotives and rolling stock, static weights only, not dynamic, and need to come up with a plan that is safe, reasonably accurate and, given that we are a volunteer based self-funding railway, reasonably affordable. When I raced superkarts we used 4 bathroom scales - I have a feeling that may not be the optimum solution in this case...

The largest of the locomotives is around 200 tons, the heaviest axle load will be in the order of 20 tons.

People have mentioned load cells and strain gauges, we're trying to work out how these would be rigged on a rail line, at this stage we are open to all ideas - the primary requirement is that the solution must be safe and robust as any solution that risks derailing the locomotive is a no-go.

Ideally the mounting solution would be something that could largely be built in-house using our own machining capabilities in order to save on costs.

Re: How to weigh a 200 ton locomotive

#2

Joe Fleming

Peter,  Can't you just get 30 bathroom scales (or however many wheels there are) and drive the train up on them all at once?  Add up all the numbers?  

Sorry - I couldn't resist.

Re: How to weigh a 200 ton locomotive

#3

Peter Martin

@Joe Fleming,

Take more than 30 I reckon. ;)

  1. A locomotive weighs 200 tons.

    • 1 ton = 2,000 lbs, so: 200 × 2,000 = 400,000 lbs

    • 200 x 2,000 = 400,000 lbs

  2. Assume each bathroom scale has a maximum capacity of 250 lbs.

  3. To find the number of scales needed:

    • 400,000 / 250 = 1,600


So, it would take 1,600 bathroom scales to weigh the locomotive, assuming perfect weight distribution.

I was thinking calculate how much weight a balloon filled with helium can lift. If helium is too costly, one could substitute hot air coming from our politicians during the Senate confirmation hearings. Then keep attaching balloons until the train lifts off the track--and then add up the balloons!
b429345f-ebdd-46fa-af55-5cc1745f921c_670.jpg

Re: How to weigh a 200 ton locomotive

#4

When in doubt, I used to say Google is your friend, but now it's AI is your friend.

Yes, spec sheets and weights for old railroad locomotives are generally available, though the level of detail and availability can vary depending on the locomotive, the manufacturer, and the era in which it was produced. Here are some common ways to find this information:

1. Historical Archives and Museums

  • Many historical archives, museums, and railway heritage centers have extensive collections of locomotive specifications, including detailed spec sheets and weight data. Examples include the National Railway Museum (UK), the Smithsonian (USA), and local or regional railroad museums.

2. Manufacturer Archives

  • Locomotive manufacturers such as Alco, General Electric, Baldwin, Lima, and EMD often maintained detailed records of the locomotives they produced. Some of these archives are open to the public or can be accessed through historical societies.

3. Railroad Companies’ Records

  • The railroad companies that owned the locomotives (such as the New York Central, Southern Pacific, Union Pacific, etc.) may have kept records that include technical specifications. Some of these documents are available to the public or might be accessible through research centers or railroad historical societies.

4. Online Resources and Forums

  • Websites dedicated to railroad history, like Trainorders, Railfan.net, or specific railroad company archives, can sometimes provide information about locomotive specifications. Many rail enthusiasts also share detailed information on old locomotives, including weights and specs.

5. Books and Publications

  • Many publications, such as "The Diesel and Electric Locomotive" by Michael S. Hunter or "Locomotive Specifications" by various authors, include information about older locomotives. Specialized books can sometimes have the exact data you're looking for.

6. Locomotive Data and Technical Manuals

  • Some manufacturers released technical manuals or data sheets for each model they produced. These documents often provide detailed specifications such as weight, horsepower, dimensions, and performance data.

7. Railroad Forums & Enthusiast Communities

  • Websites and forums dedicated to railroad history or railroad modeling may feature users who have collected old specifications for these locomotives. Some communities focus on particular periods or types of trains, where spec sheets might be more easily found.

If you’re searching for specific locomotives or types, feel free to share more details, and I can help look for sources!

👍 This page answered my questions

Your vote helps other woodworkers quickly find the answers and techniques that actually work in the shop.