N Scale Test Car

[rem37411]

Ohboy.....here I go. Dumb question, but what is a "N Scale test car" and what is its function? I've no doubt the description says it all but I have looked and can't find what it is actually used for.

Thanks!

Ron

 

[MGWSY]

You must be talking about one of these.

http://images.google.com/imgres?img...rains+scale+test+car&hl=en&sa=N&um=1&ie=UTF-8

 

[rem37411]

Yes, exactly! What is that used for??? It's killin me! lol

 

[MGWSY]

Here is the discription from the picture.

Prototype was used for calibrating weighbridges used for weighing bulk products. Would be towed behind train and set aside in the railyard when not in use.

More Info

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scale_test_car

http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/rsRRList.aspx?id=14

 

[bigford]

we use something kind of the same way to test our truck scales.
this company shows up with a 10,000 pound cart that they put
on our scale and drag it back and forth over the 3 sections to
test the weight sensor. then they adjust the sensor if there out

 

[NYO&W]

Additonal Info

Here is some additional info I found from Micro-Trains when I bought my B&O test car:

"...Since the railroads' revenues were dependent on the correct measurement of loaded cars, great emphasis was placed on proper maintenance of the scales. The scale test cars were used to help in this task. Always to be hauled just in front of the caboose, the cars were set aside immediately upon arrival at the terminal, and subjected to a minimum of switching."