trailrider
Well-Known Member
We all know that HO scale is 1/87th of actual size. But have you ever considered how our models "scale" compared to the prototype? Weight (or more properly "mass") is a result of three dimensions times the density of the volume. Therefore, the weight of, say a typical Mikado locomotive and tender should be 1/87x87x87 or 1,52 x 10^-6. If a "typical" Mike and tender weighed about 850,000 lbs, then a scale model "should" weigh about 1.29 lbs. I weighed one of my old Mantua Mikes on an old baby scale, and it came out to about 1.75 lbs, or equivalent to 1.15 million lbs...a bit on the heavy side, but close enough considering the boiler is solid metal, and Mantua steamers are probably a bit heavier than average in the HO scale modeling world. I haven't weighed any box cars, so I'm not sure how they compare with the prototype and the NMRA standards. Just sayin'!