Hullo... Pardon the intrusion... I've got this odd idea rolling around in my head about building a railroad-themed lazy-Susan type device using large scale track and either freight or locomotive trucks to support the display. So I was wondering just how much (real world) weight a G-scale freight truck or diesel loco truck would support? And if they were powered trucks, how much weight one migh be able to move at a slow speed? In case you're wondering, I have a need to be able to rotate my N scale HCD out from a storage position against the wall to a peninsula operating position. I thought it would be a neat trick to provide the motion by having it rest on a number of larger scale trucks on a curved track, with most of the weight hopefully supported by the pivot point and the legs (on casters) at the far end. The track and trucks would guide the motion and if I used motorized trucks, move the table. O scale clearly isn't big enough, but G would seem like it might work if the parts are strong enough... Thanks, and please don't laugh too hard. This is one of those middle of the night Mexican dinner-induced inspirations...
The USA Trains and Aristocraft diesel locomotives weigh the most, so those "Powered Trucks" have to hold more weight. The Aristocraft weighs more than a USA Trains typically around 15lbs to 18lbs. Most of the freight trucks out there really can not hold alot of weight as the trucks are made of plastic and I myself have cracked or broken Aristocraft plastic trucks. However USA Trains just introduced within the last couple of years diecast metal trucks with metal wheels for the 55ft freight cars since they are more heavy, especially the tank car which weighs in around 10lbs. These diecast metal trucks are available for sale seperately. As for your original question, how much weight will one hold? I'm not sure since I never got into making or building my own projects.
Thanks, EMD, that's encouraging. If I work out the balance right this might just work. The layout weighs about 50lb, somwith most of the weight supported by the pivot point and the outer legs it doesn't seem totally ou of reach for a couple sets of loco trucks to do the job. It will certainly be a fun thing to show off to visitors... Time to sharpen the pencil...
What diameter wil that lazy susan (or turntable) be? If the diameter is too small. I expect that a normal two-axle truck would bind - none of the model train trucks I know have axles that can move horizontally like some of the prototype trucks.
