Issue #29 - O Scale Trains Magazine

Transcription

O
Scale
Trains
Nov/Dec 2006
US $6.95 • Can $8.95
Display until Dec. 31, 2006
u
Issue #29
Celebrating
the art of
1:48 modeling
Celebrating
the art of
1:48 modeling
Issue #29
Nov/Dec 2006
Vol. 5 - No. 6
Publisher
Joe Giannovario
[email protected]
Art Director
Jaini Giannovario
[email protected]
Editor
Brian Scace
[email protected]
Features
4
A spectacular HiRail layout by Norm Charbonneau.
14
Customer Service
Spike Beagle
A Turntable for the Cincinnati & West Virginia
Need a way to turn your locomotives? Ron Gribler shows how he did it.
31
Advertising Manager
Jeb Kriigel
[email protected]
The Latest Stop on My O Gauge Journey
Build a Small O Scale Layout — Part 12
Mike Culham continues construction of the building he started in Part 11.
42
Scratchbuild a Gas Station
A small structure to fit any size layout designed and built by Tom Houle.
63
OST 2K6 Digital Photo Contest Winners
A fine selection of photos won this year’s contest prizes.
Contributors
Ted Byrne
Hobo D. Hirailer
Bobber Gibbs
Roger C. Parker
Mike Cougill
Gene Clemens
Carey Hinch
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O Scale Trains ISSN 1536-9528
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Published bimonthly (6 times a year) by
O Scale Trains Magazine
PO Box 238, Lionville PA 19353-0238
© 2006 OST All Rights Reserved
Printed in the U.S.A.
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Cover: A NYC Mohawk makes its way past an old bar in the city,
although the patrons of said establishment on Norm Charbonneau’s layout could’nt seem to care less. The locomotive is by
Lionel, the bar is a modified Downtown Deco kit.
Departments
9
Easements for the Learning Curve – Brian Scace
12
Modern Image – Gene Clemens
23
Confessions of a HiRailer – Hobo D. Hirailer
27
Reader Feedback – Letters to the Editor
35
The Art of Finescale – Mike Cougill
41
Narrow Minded – Bobber Gibbs
53
Product News & Reviews
60
Traction Action – Roger C. Parker
63
Powering Up – Ted Byrne
68
Buy-Sell-Trade Ads
68
Events Listing
69
Advertiser Index
70
Observations – Joe Giannovario
Centerspread: A Lionel JLC Allegheny charges into the city in this
view overlooking part of the village of Greenbrook on Norm
Charbonneau’s layout. The mainlines along this section of the
layout were grade separated to add more visual interest.
Nov/Dec ’06 - O Scale Trains • Beginnings
For Christmas 1975, I received my very first train, an O-27
Marx “Yardmaster” complete with a searchlight car, crane,
a flatcar with stakes, and a neat little work caboose. I spent
many hours on the floor running it past Lego houses and
lines of Hot Wheels waiting patiently at imaginary crossings.
Not long after the initial charm wore off, I took the shell off
the engine and became fascinated with its inner workings.
A few years later I received my first Lionel set, the “Wabash
Cannonball”, at the time considered a major upgrade since
it was my first die-cast steamer. Soon after receiving this set,
I started to work on my first layout. I named it “Greensville”,
and it was nothing more than a chunk of plywood covered in
Life-Like grass paper with a train station made out of a shoebox. This was replaced in time by the Wabash Short Line, a
4’ x 5’ layout sitting atop a set of sawhorses built by an uncle.
Since Then…
Throughout my teen years, I would pursue the hobby in
fits and starts, even experimenting with HO and N Scale for
a brief time. It was not until 1994 that I began to pursue O
Gauge again, after living in Pittsburgh for a few years. Being
around Pittsburgh’s awesome railroad and industrial heritage
got me hooked once again, as I was able to do some memorable railfanning and train collecting. Years later, after a series
of moves around the country and having built my fair share
of apartment-sized layouts, my wife and I settled in Michigan.
While house shopping in late 2002, quite a few basements
• O Scale Trains - Nov/Dec ’06
were scoped out for what was to be my latest layout. After
settling in to our new home, work began in earnest to prepare
the space that my newest and largest layout would occupy.
Initial Layout Concept and Construction
Once I had the space prepared for construction, I began
to work on a trackplan and a concept for the layout. Initially,
I just wanted to run a lot of trains, both scale and semi-scale
at the same time, in a mostly scale environment. Wide curves
were a must for some of the larger scale steamers I managed
to acquire in the past few years, and long straight shots were
desired to show off long lines of freight cars. After assessing
the space I had available, I decided on four separate loops,
with two separate yards for storing engines and cars. Scenery
would consist of mountains at one end and a large industrial
city at the other. An attempt was made, early on, to achieve
a flowing, natural look without too much clutter. Mountain
cuts were envisioned, as opposed to tunnels, to give more
train viewing opportunities. Larger engines and cars would
be run on the outer loops, with semi-scale and smaller
equipment occupying the innermost loop. A wide aisle in the
center would allow unfettered access to all the trackage.
Technical Layout Aspects
Benchwork for the new pike started in February, 2003.
The layout would measure out at 9.5’ x 22.5’, a size I consider to be just right for conveying a feel of expansiveness, yet
still being manageable. An average height of 36” was chosen
to balance the needs of tall scenery and relatively low ceil-
Photo 1: In my home town, one of the lingering ghosts of the NH's railyard
was a cool old derrick crane rusting away in the weeds. This model by Model
Tech Studios reminded me of it, although this one is a bit more gainfully
employed on the Wilfred Gage siding.
Photo 2: A pair of Lionel J's by the Greenbrook engine facility.
Photo 3: Another visitor to the Greenbrook engine facility, this time an Empire
State Express Hudson, getting looked over before heading out.
ings. The layout was built modularly, then bolted together in
sections.
The trackwork is all Atlas O, chosen for its realistic looks,
ease of assembly, and curve geometry. Steel track was used
on the innermost loop for my Magne-Traction locomotives.
Standard 4.5” spacing was used along the two outermost
lines. The switches are all Atlas O-72, controlled by TMCC
SC-2s in strategic locations. The trackage is finished with
Woodland Scenics medium ballast of varying shades. I used
locally obtained sand as initial fill between the ties. By doing
so, I was able to apply a thin layer of ballast over the sand,
which helped to extend the amount of track that could be
covered for a given amount of ballast.
Wiring was run out with 14-2 Romex cable, with 16AWG
feeders in four main locations, soldered to the rail joiners.
Auxiliary power jumpers were added where needed. This
was a very cost-effective way to provide power to my track
and handle the high current required by multiple unit locomotives and long lighted passenger trains. Switch wiring
was run with Belden 22AWG cable scraps. The color-coded
wires aided in keeping track of switch wiring. The power
is supplied by a modern Lionel ZW, with a combination of
Powerhouse 135’s and 180’s.
Control is handled by Lionel’s TMCC system. I run command control exclusively, although the ZW can provide
conventional control as well. I keep a few CAB-1 handheld
throttles on hand for visitors, and up to three people can run
the layout simultaneously. I have been using TMCC since
1997 and find it to be easy to use and reliable.
The layout scenery is influenced by the places I’ve lived,
namely New England, Pittsburgh, and Detroit. I am a big fan
of Eastern US scenery, both industrial and rural. Mountain
scenery consists of plaster-soaked shop towels over screen,
with forms made of plywood scraps and MDF. Because the
trackage comes so close to the walls in places, some of the
hills are nothing more than 1/8” masonite hardboard cutouts.
The background is made of 1/8” masonite hardboard, painted
a very light gray, then lightly painted over with a sky blue
in an attempt to give it a hazy appearance. Ground cover
is mostly Woodland Scenics’ products along with common
backyard dirt. Trees are Scenic Express Super Trees, spray
painted black, dipped in diluted carpenter’s glue, then sprinkled with fine turf.
After the mountains were roughed in, I began experimenting
with my urban industrial section of the layout. I envisioned large
concrete and brick factories looming authoritatively over the
mainlines. Interspersed with these structures would be smaller
buildings of different styles. I soon realized that to make anything
of the size needed to convey a sense of imposing presence, I
would have to scratchbuild. The building designs were freelanced, based on structures photographed around Detroit and
Pittsburgh. I used foamcore, 1/8” and 1/4” masonite hardboard,
1/2” MDF, Plastruct rough brick sheet, and various scrapbox
materials to make up the bulk of the buildings. Windows and
details are from a few different manufacturers. Some windows
are nothing more than 1/4” hardware cloth held in place with
Gallery Glass (picked up at Michael’s Craft Stores). Most of the
structures are named for friends and family. Scratchbuilding also
helped fulfill another desire, to make the layout look as unique as
possible. A few kitbashed structures are present, but the desire to
make a unique setting for my trains led to creating and building
my own designs.
Nov/Dec ’06 - O Scale Trains • Photo 4: While the residents of Greenbrook were kind to him, the undeniable
pull of that distant lonely whistle keeps our hobo moving along.
Photo 7: Back alley view of Greenbrook, behind Shirley's Diner.
Photo 5: A small hunter's shack on the road out of Greenbrook.
Photo 8: The Machesky Filter complex, named for an influential train buddy.
This building was kitbashed from some Lionel kits I had laying around and
was designed to fit this curved siding.
Photo 6: Depot Street, Greenbrook.
Photo 9: A C&O wooden caboose built from an old Quality Craft kit to bring
up the rear of my Allegheny-powered coal drags.
Layout Info
Size: 9.5’ by 22.5’
Benchwork: Semi-modular Tabletop
Track: Atlas O Nickel-Silver and Steel
Curves: O-90, O-81, O-72, O-54 (diameter)
Switches: O-72, #5’s
Power: Lionel ZW, Two 135W Bricks, Two 180W
Bricks
4
Control: Lionel TMCC w/SC-2s for Switch
Control
7
6
Motive Power: Lionel Steam and Diesel, TMCC,
Railsounds, and Odyssey-equipped
5
Rolling Stock: Lionel, Atlas, K-Line, Quality
Craft, Pecos River
Timeframe: ‘Flexible’ - Steam/Diesel Transition
Era, Some Elements of 1930s and ‘40s
Scenery: Freelanced Eastern US; Industrial
Urban, Appalachian/Berkshire Influenced
Mountain, New England Small Town
8
1
3
2
9
Changing Roster, Evolving Layout
Motive power and rolling stock started off as
a mix of Lionel TMCC-equipped semi-scale and
scale equipment that I had acquired in the years
prior to the construction of this layout. As the
layout progressed though, I found myself drawn
more and more toward Lionel’s full-scale offerings. This led to the selling off of many of the
semi-scale items. During this time, I came up
with the cash necessary to purchase a slightly
used JLC UP Challenger. Its maiden run across
my layout immediately showed me some of the
problems my original plans created, namely
clearance issues. It turned out that the biggest
problem area was the mountain cut. I set out to
correct this problem by carving the section up
with my trusty Sawzall and installing a concrete
retaining wall made up of masonite. This gave
me enough clearance to allow the Challenger to
charge through the cut, free of obstruction. This
locomotive acquisition and the accompanying
clearance project changed the outlook on both
my motive power choices and my layout’s construction.
The mountain cut project allowed me the
opportunity to freshen up a part of the layout I
had considered finished. Along with the retaining wall, I decided to add a bunch of rock castings and more foliage, to add more depth to the
mountain cut scene. Completion of this project
Nov/Dec ’06 - O Scale Trains • led to the idea that it may be time to rethink my original concept for the layout.
Renovations, Fall 2004
In the fall of 2004, I started to renovate the whole back
section of the layout. This project lasted six months, adding
more operational interest to the layout and providing more
interesting scenery opportunities. The innermost loop was
combined with the third loop, creating a sort of ‘back road’
through the hills. The original four-track dead-end yard was
removed and replaced with a few industrial sidings, whose
approaches crossed over each other, serving some small
industries. About this time I added Wilfred Gage, an oddshaped free-standing industry that would be the inspiration
for future projects. The addition of this structure and the
Machesky Filter complex helped add depth to the layout. A
small wooden station was added along with a dilapidated old
hotel and bar. A rocky hill helped transition the mountainto-city scene with another cut comprised of more concrete
retaining walls and hand-carved plaster rocks. A couple of
small street scenes were added, along with figures, vehicles,
and other details.
Further Observations on Layout and Roster Evolution
As the scenery gravitated toward more realism and detail,
so too did my tendencies toward motive power and rolling
stock purchases. I have found myself attracted to big steam
in a major way. Lionel’s efforts of late have been very accurate representations of their prototypes and their sounds,
especially the newest RailSounds 5.0 versions. These latest
versions of on-board sound add much to the experience of
running these machines. I’ve gravitated toward Eastern steam,
lately, and my current favorites are the Pennsy T1, the JLC
C&O Allegheny, the N&W #611 J Class, and the PRR Y3. I
still find time to run my JLC Challenger and a UP “veranda”
turbine on hotshot freights though, and will maintain their
trackage rights for quite some time to come.
Older power is getting the Train America Studios EOB
treatment on a case-by-case basis, my latest conversion
being the T1. Along with EOB conversions, I have taken to
modifying some of my smoke units for increased and more
reliable production, and adding TAS’ Puff-n-Chuff boards
where that feature is desired.
The rolling stock on my layout has become a mix of
Lionel’s newest scale cars, such as the PS-1 boxcars, PS-5
gondolas, steel PFE reefers, 50-ton hoppers, and milk cars.
A TMCC crane with matching sound car has added some
interesting action. A small but growing collection of Atlas
wooden reefers can be seen on the rails too. An interesting
side project was the construction of an almost 30-year-old
Quality Craft C&O caboose to properly bring up the rear of
my C&O Allegheny’s consists. This little project was very satisfying to complete, and added an interesting new dimension
to my scratchbuilding activities.
Yet More Changes
As anyone with a permanent layout will tell you, a layout
is never truly complete. Feeling the urge to build again, I
thought of a new opportunity to add depth and believability to the layout. A new village section was added across
the center aisle, started in September of 2005. This section
would allow me to try my hand at some small- and mediumsize wooden structures with a sort of old New England feel.
Thus, the Village of Greenbrook was born, the name being
an homage to my first little Greensville layout and the Greenfield Village of the Henry Ford, one of my favorite sources
of inspiration. A short siding enters one end of the village,
which will provide a perfect location for another small industry to help justify the small settlement just outside the big
city.
The Future and a Note of Thanks
Future and ongoing projects include signaling for the
mainlines, completion of the new village area, and more
details and vehicles. As time allows, some of my larger buildings may have more details added to them to freshen them
up a bit. Expansion of the layout is considered from time to
time, and many staging yard schemes have been pondered.
Weathered rolling stock is on the list too.
Many lessons were learned during the building of this layout, and
I’m sure many more are to come. With that being said, it is probably
time to thank those who I feel have provided much needed inspiration and encouragement. First off, I’d like to thank my wonderful
wife, Deborah, for being so understanding of my sometimes strange
obsession. Dan Machesky, who not only has provided server space
for my own little train website [http://norm.beesky.com/], but has
shown me what an effective tool scratchbuilding can be for creating
a unique layout experience. Thanks to Bob Bubeck, Mike Sheedy,
and the whole Glancy Trains crew for putting up with me. And most
importantly, thanks to my dad for getting that first Marx set, which
started me down the track toward a hobby that has provided me a
never-ending outlet for creativity and learning.
(For more photos of Norm’s layout visit his website listed above.
Norm also has a blog at [http://normstrains.blogspot.com/] where
you can see videos of Norm’s layout. — Joe G.)
u
My railroad (Ready for a big surprise?) violates most, if not
all, of the accepted rules for successful trackplanning. There’s
no hidden staging, no big yard. It’s actually two railroads, not
interchanging with each other at all. A point-to-point switching railroad is woven in with a double-track mainline parade
route for the big impressive stuff, both through plenty of
gritty New England urban scenery. If I, or my few remaining
friends, want to switch cars all night, or if we just want to sit
and gasbag about the latest O Scale behavioral issues while
watching the Minuteman gliding past a manifest freight, we
have that choice. Visually, this rather flagrant flouting of the
enSIGlicals of layout design works best by establishing two
different recognizable identities for the two different lines.
This issue required some thought, which is fortunate for me
(evolving into this edition of Scace’s Snappy Patter as it did)
and perhaps useful to you because you may also want to reenforce that idea of visual identity if you’re modeling, say, an
interchange on your road. More important to most of you,
however, may be to consider these thoughts to help you replicate (or create, for you freelance types) a visual identity for
your railroad as a single entity.
As I’ve opened up the myriad moving boxes full of stuff
I forgot I had, I’ve been consolidating all the structures I’ve
accumulated into various categories. One of these is (strangely enough) railroad structures, such as towers, watertanks,
stations, and section houses. What a huge collection of nice
stuff, if I say so myself, but not all of it is going to be useful.
Many railroads used a common style of architecture that
defines locale and company to the public eye. Mission-style
stations key off the Spanish heritage of the Southwest, as an
example, and fairly scream, “Santa Fe”. In O Scale, one of
the first companies to make prototype-based building kits
was the Model Structures Corporation, whose railroad buildings followed Espee practice. In my case, I wanted to define
one line as Boston and Maine, and the other as Boston and
Albany. B&M influence is defined using those nifty pagodastyle towers (also common on New Haven), combined with
their later wooden stations and lineside structures. The
B&A identity is re-enforced with fortress-like stone stations
of Richardson design, mixed with their standardized large
squared hip-roof towers. The trick here is to use common
architectures to visually define each railroad. A careful cull,
and my remaining lineside structures that don’t architecturally fit are up the road.
Much like locomotives and rolling stock, standardized
paint schemes on everything from sheds to stations add to
that family feeling we’re seeking; in my case, the grey and
green of B&A contrasts nicely with the ochre and brown of
B&M. Paint everything your railroad owns in a common
scheme (even if the architecture is, shall we say, undefined),
and you’ll get a long way down the road to that visual company definition we’re looking for. Next, take a gander at the
signage. Standardized fonts, color schemes and sizes actually
help even more than spelling out the owner’s name on everything. Red and yellow keystones are the Pennsy, as much as
K4s and GG1s. Station signs with “targets” on either side of
the name were the public’s first (and lasting) image of the
Santa Fe. I grew up with the black and gold cast station signs
of the New York Central.
The whole company standard thing even gets down into
the little stuff, such as whistleposts, crossbucks, signals, and
paint color on mechanical things such as bridges and relay
boxes. Mileposts are really worthwhile, as they establish
place very handily. The B&A’s granite tombstone mileposts,
carved with whatever number of miles you are from “B” for
Boston, are a good example. Cut granite retaining walls are
a hallmark of the Northeast, covered bridges speak to New
England, and spindly wooden trestling has that Northwestern
three-foot logging flavor. Even a single lone lineside detail
can convey identity, loud and clear. John Armstrong’s Canandaigua Southern featured an interchange with PRR. In reality,
all that was there was a single piece of track crossing the CS
mainline. What defined it was a Pennsy position-light signal
(contrasting with the CS standard searchlight signals) permanently lit at “stop”, protecting the diamond.
So where does all this wisdom come from? Check photos
of your favorite railroad or locale. The Trainshed Cyclopedias,
Simmons-Boardman Engineering & Maintenance Cyclopedias, drawings from historical societies and some of the early
architectural periodicals are loaded with info on everything
from shop buildings to spike barrels. Better yet, go look at the
stuff in the flesh! In my case, several of the B&A Richardson
stations are still standing, and some are being restored to
their past splendor. (We just got back from a very pleasant
visit with Phil and Brenda Opielowski; we went to the newly
restored Palmer station. It is now a very nice restaurant, and
the owners were most kind in showing me a lot of the details
of the restoration. The food was very good, too!)
If someone can pick up on the separate identities of the
two companies represented in my basement with nary a
train in sight, I’ve pulled it off. Give this a little thought (reenforced by stiff drink, perchance?) Perhaps this might help
to make your efforts feel more like a single property rather
than a visual stew of well-built, yet disassociated, models.
Let’s go Exploring! u
Nov/Dec ’06 - O Scale Trains • Mullet River
odel Works
118 Huson Ct. • Plymouth, WI 53073
Phone 920-892-8159
WWW.mulletrivermodelworks.com
Chicago & Northwestern
Caboose
> Laser cut plywood body with working windows
> Full interior with roof ribs and purlins
> Separate doors can be modeled in the open position
> Urethane underframe
> Decals for CNW, CStP M&O, and W&NW
> Three different versions
O Scale
Kit #403004 Late version with no end windows
Kit #403005 Early version with end windows
Kit #403006 Original all wood underframe
October 14 & 15, 2006
Maryland State Fairgrounds
Timonium, MD
Hours: Sat 9-4; Sun 10-4
10 • O Scale Trains - Nov/Dec ’06
Show Admission: $7 per person
$120.00
$120.00
$120.00
Nov/Dec ’06 - O Scale Trains • 11
Work Trains – Storm Cleanup
To start, an introduction would be in
order. I became involved with two-rail
O Scale model trains in the early 1970s.
In 1977 I went to work for the Frisco
Railroad as a Brakeman – Switchman out
of Birmingham, Alabama. In 1990, after
the Frisco merger into the Burlington
Northern, I qualified as a Locomotive
Engineer and have worked continuously
as an engineer ever since. Currently I
am assigned to Inter-Division Service,
working between Memphis, Tennessee,
and Birmingham, Alabama. We operate empty unit coal trains northbound
to Memphis, and loaded unit coal trains
southbound to the Miller Steam Plant outside of Birmingham.
Construction of my second two-rail O
Scale layout is well underway. I do model
the Frisco, as well as the BN and BNSF,
and consider myself a Modern-Era modeler. More on this later; now, on to this
column’s subject matter.
Work trains are a class of service that
handles construction, maintenance, repair
and other railroad projects that involve
the movement of company materials and
equipment. Let’s look at August 2005
(Hurricane Katrina), when BNSF managers activated a response plan to deal with
storm damage prior to the hurricane coming onshore.
August 29, 2005: Work train crews
are called and transported to multiple
locations where equipment and materi-
1
als have been pre-staged. As the storm
rolls across the Birmingham Subdivision,
the main line is closed down. Trains are
stopped and tied down on line of road.
The crews are removed and transported
to their home terminals. All we can do
now is wait, and hope for the best.
August 30, 2005, 5:00 AM: Reporting
for duty at Winfield, Alabama, our assignment is to clear a thirty-mile section of
main line. Maintenance crews have been
out for several hours monitoring the storm
and listing milepost locations where the
track is blocked. For our use are two
50’ flats. One has a Komatsu excavator
chained to the deck, while the other is
loaded with a trailer mounted electric
generator and telescoping construction lights. Gons loaded with panel rail,
loaded ballast hoppers, and air-dumps
with rip-rap are also available. Today, we
will only need our locomotive, a BNSF
SD40-2 #6716 and the 50’ flatcar with
the excavator to perform our work. Track
and Time issued, and a work and safety
briefing behind us, we get started.
Encountering our first obstacle, several
large trees blocking the main line, the
excavator operator flags us in to a spot
(Photo 1). He then goes to work breaking
up the trees, moving the debris into the
clear on the side of the mainline. Clearing
this area, we move to the next location,
clear this obstruction, and then move on.
Reversing direction is simple; the operator
relocates the excavator to the opposite
end of the car, and we run around the car
with the locomotive. After completing
our day’s work, we return to the location
where we began, report the mainline
clear and release our Track and Time.
After all other crews report clear, revenue
traffic begins moving; it’s now 6:00 p.m.
The other photograph that illustrates
this column was taken on my layout
(Photo 2), with models on hand. Here,
you’ll see an Atlas GP-60, Weaver 50’
flatcar and 1:50 scale Joal excavator, various Lifelike figures and scenery materials. Loading a flatcar or gon with straight
track sections creates a track panel car.
Prototype panels are usually 39’ long.
If you have model ballast hoppers, load
them with the same ballast that you are
using on your track. If not, use some twoor three-bay open-top hopper cars. In
years past, I have unloaded ballast by this
method on the prototype. Load a side airdump or gondola with a grade of gravel
that simulates rip-rap. Revenue equipment is often used when specialty cars
are not available.
Work trains are an everyday part of
railroad operations. Adding one to your
layout will create new and different operating possibilities, regardless of what era
you may model. Using older equipment
for the era you model is also acceptable,
and a common practice on the prototype.
Have fun with these modern prototype
operations.
Until next time, “All-aboard!”
u
2
A Turntable for the Cincinnati &
West Virginia
Ron Gribler
The engine servicing facility under
construction on the Cincinnati Model
Railway Club’s O Scale layout required a
110’ turntable. The prototype is a Bethlehem twin-span turntable. One of these
was the 115’ table at the Cincinnati Union
Terminal, and another was located on the
C&O at Hinton, West Virginia. This selection of a prototype seemed appropriate
for the C&WV, a C&O-theme coal hauler.
Prototype plans for the turntable were
published in the March 1973, Model Railroader. The roundhouse area is located
on an upper deck over the staging yard
at the “other” end of the line. This location required the turntable pit depth and
drive system to be no more than four
inches deep. Due to the limited working
room above and below the deck, it was
designed as a modular unit and was built
off-site.
The turntable is equipped with several lights and an operator in the control
cabin. It utilizes prototypical “jog-itby-eye” indexing. The entire project
included the pit & drive mechanism, a
control panel, and power supply. Here’s
an overview of it.
Four triangular openings were cut into
the base plate to reduce the weight and
to allow access to the drive disc. There’s a
cutout for the motor and three others for
electrical pickups.
The cross-section schematic of the
turntable and drive box (Figure 1, page
18) shows the relationship of the major
components. The drive box has a base,
four sides, and a mounting post at each
corner. The top of the drive box also
serves as the support for the turntable
pit. A “Lazy Susan” bearing is mounted
at the center of the base and supports
the circular drive disc. A square driving
post is mounted at the center of the disc.
The turntable fits over the driving post.
Around the lower edge of the disc is a
driving ring that is friction-driven by the
motor.
Construction started with the drive box
base using a 30” square of 3/4” plywood.
The four 3/4” plywood sides are 1.25” high.
The six-inch Lazy Susan bearing was
purchased from the local home improvement store. It is mounted at the center of
the base plate. Due to the minor lateral
movement within the bearing, a 1/8” center
hole was drilled in the base for a steel pin
that centers the drive disc and post to the
base. A 3/4” hole is located for screwdriver
access when mounting the drive disc to the
bearing.
The drive disc (Figure 2, page 19)
provides rotation, electrical connections,
and support for the turntable. It is a 24”
diameter pre-cut MDF disc, also purchased from the local home improvement
store. A 1/8” hole was drilled through
the centerpoint. Using the bearing as a
guide, four pilot holes were drilled for the
bearing mounting screws. Four triangular
lightening holes were cut out of the disc.
The friction drive ring is a length of
HO gauge cork roadbed mounted at the
outer edge of the bottom side of the disc.
It is held with yellow glue and brads.
A circle of HO flex-track is mounted
inboard of the cork drive ring to provide
the track power to the turntable. It has
two short insulated sections that allow the
polarity of the turntable to be switched at
each 180 degrees of rotation. The circle
of N Scale track provides power to the
lights on the turntable.
The square driving post also has a 1/8”
center hole for the center alignment pin.
It is attached to the drive disc with two
woodscrews. The sides of the post were
carefully sanded to allow a close fit into
the turntable. We’ll see more on that
later.
The disc has routed slots that hold
the wires feeding the two track circles.
The wires exit the top of the disc against
opposing flat sides of the drive post. This
insures that they will clear the center hole
of the pit as the post rotates. Miniature
connectors provide quick electrical connections to the turntable.
Three-rail locomotive pickups provide
the voltage transfer to the power tracks.
The voltage pickups for the N Scale track
are installed 180 degrees apart. They are
mounted on brass strips.
The two pickups for the turntable
power are mounted in one cutout. This
is due to the short length of the two insulated sections of the track circle. Their
mounting brackets were made from 3/8”
square styrene tubing.
tions of the HO power track positioned
over the power pickups. Positioning the
drive block at this location will orient the
turntable at approximately 90 degrees to
the inbound track. This will be the point
of rotation at which the turntable track
polarity will be reversed. The drywall
screws located around the drive disc add
extra support to the top panel of the drive
box,
The photo above shows a bottom
view of the assembled drive box. The
motor mounting clamp is accessible for
adjusting the drive bushing load on the
drive ring. The power pickups can also
be adjusted, if necessary, from under the
layout. The track and lighting wires are
secured with nylon cable clamps.
The motor is a Pittman gear-head
motor with a 19.5:1 speed reduction. The
motor mounting bracket is a piece of 3/4”
plywood drilled to fit the body of the
motor. The bracket was then cut down so
the hole was open on one side. A metal
strip is used as the motor clamp. A rubber bushing on the motor shaft provides
the friction-drive transfer to the cork drive
ring on the disc. Since the output shaft
of the motor is off-center, rotating the
motor in the mounting bracket adjusts the
load of the bushing on the drive ring. The
weight of the drive disc helps maintain
this friction coupling.
The photo above shows the drive disc
installed into the drive box. Masking tape
was added over the wire slots on the disc
to hold the wires in place. The drive disc
is shown rotated with the insulated sec-
The top panel of the drive box is 1/4”
plywood, and is attached to the sidewalls
with drywall screws. The center hole is
two inches in diameter. The corners were
cut out to clear the corner posts. The
cutout sections were glued to the lower
side of the corners of the base. These feet
allow clearance for the wiring, when the
drive box is sitting on the workbench.
The 2” x 2”corner posts are 2-3/8” high.
A 5/16” diameter hole was drilled through
the posts, base, and corner feet. The drive
box is mounted to the layout by four 1/4”
diameter bolts through these holes. A sixscrew barrier terminal strip provides connections to the power supply and control
panel.
A 28” diameter circle was drawn on
the top panel of the drive box, which
established the location of the outer side
of the pit wall. A 1-7/8” wide strip was
cut from a large sheet of 1/8” styrene
on a tablesaw. This strip was then cut to
a 90” length. The cut edges were then
sanded. A heavy bead of adhesive chalk
was placed on the marked circle on the
top panel. The pit wall was rolled in place
on this circle and secured using a number
of C-clamps. The ends overlapped about
two inches, and were trimmed flush. A
splice plate, made from 0.020” styrene,
was glued onto the outer side of the wall.
Another bead of adhesive chalk was then
added around the entire outer edge of
the wall. A cure time of 24 hours was
allowed before removing the clamps.
Styrene strips 0.250” x 0.040” (Figure
3, page 19) were glued around the top
inner side of the pit wall. A single layer
of half-sections of HO cork roadbed was
glued around the inner edge of the pit. A
2” ID x 1/8” cross-section rubber plumbing washer was glued around the center
hole of the pit floor. Then I drew an eightinch diameter circle in the center of the
pit floor.
Spackling compound was then placed
between the cork circle and the center
washer. I smoothed and tapered it down
close to the pit floor at the drawn circle,
to simulate the prototype pit floor’s
drainage slope. A short section of open
roofwalk was then embedded into the
spackling, at the lowest point, to simulate
a storm drain.
After the spackling set up, another
layer of cork roadbed was glued on top of
the first, to make the pit rail ledge. The pit
and wall were then painted a light concrete color. The pit rail and ties are cut
from HO flextrack, using a brand that has
one rail tightly molded into the tie strip.
The flextrack was cut in two on a table
jigsaw, so the ties were equal in length on
both sides of the fixed rail. The single rail
and tie strips were spiked and glued in
place. A short length of cork roadbed, on
edge, was used as a template to space the
track from the pit wall. Rail joints were
connected with rail joiners and soldered.
The turntable structure (Figure 4,
page 20) was built from wood. The two
sides are 1/4” x 1-1/2” white pine lath
stock. The two end-blocks and the center
blocks were cut from 2 x 2 white pine
(which is actually 1-3/8” square). The two
center blocks are centered, spaced 1-3/8”
apart, to create the square slot for the
drive block to engage into the turntable.
Yellow carpenter’s glue was used for
assembly.
The side detailing started with a lamination of 0.040” styrene onto the wood
sides using contact cement, followed by
flowing a bead of thin CA along the edge
of the wood and styrene interface edges.
The upper chord and the vertical stiffeners are 0.040” x 0.125” styrene, and the
lower chords are 0.040” x 0.250” styrene
strip. The riveted flanges are from 0.010”
styrene sheet using the riveting technique from an article in OST (Issue #23).
The lower flange stiffeners are 0.020” x
0.250” styrene strips. On the inner sides
of the main girders, vertical stiffeners
were installed with horizontal diagonal
braces added between them. I used 1/16”
square wood strips for these parts.
Athearn archbar sideframes were
used for the end trucks. The bolsters
were made from 3/8” square pine strips
that were sanded for a press-fit into the
sideframes. The wheels are from threerail trucks, selected for their width, with
the flanges removed using a mini-lathe.
The axles are from the Athearn trucks,
shortened and re-pointed on the lathe.
The completed trucks were then installed
onto a 0.020” brass plate with a single
2-56 screw and nut. The plate has two
slotted holes for the mounting screws to
the turntable end block. Using these two
screws and each truck mounting screw,
the trucks were then carefully set to the
pit-rail radius.
The truck’s support structure was fab-
ricated from various sizes of styrene strips
and channels, using the prototype plans
as a guide. Since much of this can’t be
seen, a lot was left out. The motor casting is a Plastruct part. The turntable was
painted flat black.
Scale 7” x 9” tie stock was used for the
six different lengths of ties used on the
turntable. The ties were cut as follows:
QtyType LengthUsed for:
20 Short 2-1/2” Standard tie length
28 Long 3-1/8” Extend out on one side to support walkway
18 Long+ 3-1/4” Extend 1/8” for post for railing
2
Tower 4”
For extended walkway at tower
2
Cab
4-3/8” Support platform under cab
They were painted flat black, then
glued directly to the top edge of the
1/4” wood sides with yellow glue. The
repetitive tie locations can be seen in the
photo above. Code 125 rails were spiked
down using four spikes per tie. Additional
beams under the control cabin were
made from the tie stock. The diagonal
support for the cabin platform was built
up from styrene strips.
The tubing was then heated to conform to
the bracket.
The railing posts are 0.060” square
brass tubing. Each is 3/4” high, drilled
for the 0.032” diameter brass railings. A
0.032” brass rod was soldered into the
lower end of the posts for mounting. The
knobs on top of the posts are the heads
of straight pins (the kind used in new
shirts). After located the posts and railings
onto the deck, they were soldered and
painted.
The turntable is driven by the driving
post, which fits into the center between
the sides and the center blocks. The
blocks were positioned very carefully
during construction to assure that the
turntable would be centered and level.
The drive post was also squared and
sanded, followed by wood sealer and
additional sanding to provide a close, but
“slip” fit. Most of the weight of the turntable is carried on the drive post. However, due to the clearances at the drive
post, some of the load rests on the trucks.
Each of the male connectors is located
on a center block. I connected each of
the track wires to a short length of solid
wire that was soldered to each rail. The
lighting wires are connected to the light
power supply that’s located between the
main girders of the turntable.
The deck was fabricated from 1/16”
x 1/4” balsa wood strip. The strips were
brush-painted with a mixture of black
and burnt umber acrylic paint and wiped
before the paint dried. They were then
cut to several lengths to create a random
pattern. Five rows were glued to the ties
on each side of the track. Simulated nail
holes were added at each tie location.
The cabin sides and ends were assembled using 0.020” scribed sheet and strip
styrene. The windows are 0.015” clear
styrene. Before assembly, the interior
walls were painted light green and the
exterior was painted a darker green. The
curved roof is a piece of 0.020” scribed
styrene covered with paper labels painted
silver. An interior light was mounted in
the ceiling. An operator figure and control console completed the interior. The
exterior light fixtures are made up of a
Minatronics micro-bulb and lampshade.
The bracket is a 0.020” diameter brass
rod. The bulb wires were routed through
shrink-tubing and slid over the bracket.
The lower tower sideposts were
assembled using Plastruct Pratt-truss
stock and Evergreen 1/4” styrene channel. The upper sections used the truss
stock with 0.040” x 0.125” styrene strips.
The platform was assembled with 1/16”
x 1/4” balsa strips. The top was finished
off with various bits of styrene to simulate
the electrical pickup of the prototype.
I formed the railings using 0.020” brass
rod. The light assemblies were built up
similarly to those on the cabin. I cut Plastruct KL-8 ladder stock to fabricate the
ladders. The tower supports were built
up using styrene, following the prototype
plans. These can also be seen in the
photo below.
The lighting power supply (Figure 5,
page 20) converts 16 volts AC to 1.5 volts
DC for the six micro-bulbs. The circuit
was developed using the schematic on
the back of the LM317 regulator’s package. The heatsink is a thick brass washer.
The circuit board was installed in the
turntable, after discovering that feeding
the 1.5 volts through the roller pickups
and N Scale track resulted in a lot of
flickering of the lamps. The output of the
supply is connected to two 24 AWG bus
wires installed along the bottom of the
side girders. These wires are soldered
onto the heads of brass nails. The leads
from the bulbs are soldered to these bus
wires at various locations along the turntable.
a kit-built DC power supply board. The
DC output can be varied, and is set at 3.5
volts for the turntable motor. The 16 volt
supply powers the DC board and is fed to
the terminal strip for the turntable lighting
power supply. A line power switch, a fuse
& holder, power cord and strain relief are
the other components of the unit.
The control panel box was constructed of 3/4” plywood. The front is
1/8” woodgrain-decorated hardboard. A
pair of hinges is used to mount the unit to
the layout fascia, allowing it to be tipped
up for wiring access. I created the front
panel diagram with a CAD program, then
printed it on cardstock. The result was
covered with a piece of clear styrene, and
mounted with four screws. The “direction” switch is a center-off DPDT telephone switch. The lever can be locked
in either position, or just be held slightly
off-center to easily jog the turntable to
align the tracks. The “lights” switch is a
simple SPDT toggle switch. The center
three-position rotary switch will control
track power to the turntable, the turntable
and radial tracks 1 through 11, or the
turntable and tracks 12 through 22. With
this switch set to OFF, the desired radial
track can be selected without sequentially energizing any of the other tracks.
The six-stall roundhouse tracks will be
connected to positions 1 through 6.
and the other tracks and wiring are
installed, the turntable will be ready for
use. We’ll send some photos of the completed engine terminal to OST.
u
The power supply kit was purchased
from the Hobbytron.com website. It has
a 1.2 through 35 volt DC output, and is
rated at 1.5 amperes. It includes a 2” x
2” printed circuit board and the components. The completed board was mounted in the box with four screws on short
spacers. A heatsink was improvised using
two brass strips and two thick brass washers. The original one-turn 47K potentiometer was replaced with a ten-turn 2K
pot to achieve finer voltage adjustment.
Figure 1
The power supply is housed in an
aluminum box. Its major components are
a 16-volt AC doorbell transformer and
The installation of the turntable
requires a 28” diameter hole cut through
the layout base. This was accomplished
with a router mounted on a radius arm.
The four mounting bolt hole locations
were transferred from the turntable.
When the six stall Atlas roundhouse
rotating parts shown in red
HO FLEX TRACK
TURNTABLE TRACK
CONNECTOR
PINK
INSULATED
TRACK
SECTION
INSULATED
TRACK
SECTION
GREEN
PINK
GREEN
DRIVE DISC
Figure 2
Figure 6
TURNTABLE TRACK WIRING
Figure 3
All dimensions in inches
27.5
.875
1.375
.04375
1.2500
1.5
.25
0.3750
2.5000
Figure 1
1.375
1.375
1.375
Figure 4
Figure 5
Qty
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
6
1
6
4
4
2
2
1
1
3
1
4
Drive Box & Pit Parts
Base & Four Sides
Pit Floor (4’ x 4’ x 1/4” Plywood)
Drive Disc
Lazy-Susan Bearing
Center Pin
Motor - Gearbox
Rubber Drive Bushing
Motor Mounting Block
Motor Mounting Clamp
Turntable Bridge Power Track
Rail Joiners Turntable Lighting Power Track
Rail Joiners Cork Roadbed
Three-rail Roller Pickups
Pickup Mounting Plates
Pickup Mounting Plates
Barrier Terminal Strip
Pit Wall Pit Wall Edge Strip
Drive Post
Base Mounting Post
Description
30” x 30” x 3/4” Plywood
1-1/4” x 29-1/4” x 3/4” Plywood
24” Diam. x 3/4” MDF
6” x 1/4”
1/8” Diameter Steel Rod
19.5:1 Ratio, 24 VDC
5/16” OD x 1/8” ID
3/4” Plywood
0.040” x 5/16” Strip
HO Code 100 Flex Track
HO Rail Joiners N Code 80 Flextrack
N Rail Joiners HO 5mm x 36” Spring Loaded
0.030” Brass
Styrene Square Tubing
6 Terminal
1/8” x 90” Styrene
0.040” x 0.25”
2 x 2 White Pine
2 x 2 White Pine
Supplier/Part Number
Lumber Yard
Lumber Yard
Lumber Yard
Home Depot UPC#95485
Hardware Store
Pittman # GM8714R640
Hardware Store
Lumber Yard
Hardware Store
Atlas 168
Atlas 170
Atlas 2500
Atlas 2535
Midwest 3013
Lionel, Weaver, &c
K&S
Plastruct # ST-10
All-Electronics #TS740
Plastic Distributor
Evergreen 149
Lumber Yard
Lumber Yard
1
2
Washer, Pit Center
Connectors 1/8” x 1/8” x 2” OD Plumbing
Two-pin Female Hardware Store
Electronics Surplus Store
Qty
2
2
2
2
2
8
4
4
2
2
1
2
-
2
70
280
12
2
2
2
8
2
4
4
1
1
6
5
1
2
Turntable Parts
Sides Center Blocks
End Blocks Truck Mounting Plates Pair Arch Bar Trucks
Wheels
Truck Bolsters Side Panels
Side Ribs Girder Plates Riveted Flanges Truck Support Structure
Internal details Rail
Ties (6 lengths)
Spikes
Deck Boards
Railing Supports
Railing Drive Motors
Tower Sides Tower Ladders
Tower Sides Tower Sides Cabin Cabin Roof
Lights
Lamp Shades
Figure (Operator)
Connectors
Description
1/4” x 1.5” White Pine 2” x 2” x 1.5” White Pine
2” x 2” x 3/4” White Pine
0.030” Brass Sheet
Plastic Sideframes & Axles
Steel, Three-rail Type, Turned Down
3/8” x 3/8” Basswood
0.040” Styrene
0.040” x 0.125” Styrene
0.020” x 0.25” Styrene
0.020” Styrene
Styrene Strips & Channels
1/16” x 1/16” Basswood
Code 125 Nickel Silver
7’ x 9” (scale) x 24” Bulk
5/16”
1/16” x 3/16” Balsa Wood
1/16” x 1/16” Square Brass Tubing
0.032” Brass Rod
1/2” Diameter x 5/8”
7/16” Pratt-truss Stock
13/32” x 1/4”
0.25” Styrene Channel
0.040” x 0.125” Styrene
Styrene Sheet, Strip & Clear Self-adhesive Labels
1.5 V Micro-bulbs
HO Scale Shades
Track Worker
Two-pin Male Supplier/Part Number
Lumber Yard
Lumber Yard
Lumber Yard
K&S
Athearn 90804
Lionel, Weaver, etc
Midwest 4088
Evergreen 9040
Evergreen 146
Evergreen 129
Evergreen 9020
Evergreen Misc.
Midwest 4022
Old Pullman
Kapler # KP-1413-B24
Old Pullman # 195
Midwest 6025
Special Shapes # 1497
Special Shapes # 1268
Plastruct M-7
Plastruct 90923
Plastruct KL-8
Evergreen 267
Evergreen 146
Evergreen Misc.
Avery Minatronics 18-C03
Minatronics 72-110
Model Power
Qty
1
1
1
2
1
1
1
1
Turntable Light Pwr Supply
Circuit (“Perf-”) Board (one-sided)
Bridge Rectifier
Voltage Regulator
Resister
Resister Capacitor
Capacitor
Heatsink
Description
1/16” x 3” x 3”
1.5 amp, 100 WPIV
LM 317T 100-ohm, 1/4 watt
47 ohm, 1/4 watt
220 uf, 35 V 1000 uf, 351000uf, 35 Brass Washer
Radio Shack 276-148
Radio Shack 276-1152
Hardware Store
Qty
Power Supply Parts
1
Enclosure (Power Supply)
1
Power Supply 1
Ten-turn Trim Pot
Transformer
1
Toggle Switch
1
Fuse Holder
1
Fuse
1
Power Cord
1
Barrier Terminal Strip
1
Heat Sink Bracket
2
Heat Sink Description
3” x 4” x 5”
1.5 Amp, 1.5 - 35 Volt
2000 ohms 110/16 VAC Doorbell XFMR
SPST
Panel Mount
1 amp
Six-foot, Three-wire
Four-terminal
0.040” Brass
Brass Washers
Vellerman V-K1823
Hardware Store
All-Electronics #TS740
K&S
Hardware Store
Qty
1
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
Description
3/4” Plywood
1-1/2” x 3/4”
1/8” Woodgrain Hardboard
SPST
DPDT Center-Off
Two-pole, Four-position
Two-pole, 11-position
0.040 Styrene
Hardware Store
Lumber Yard
Lumber Yard
Evergreen 9006
Control Panel Parts
Control Panel Box
Hinges
Panel (1/8” Styrene)
Toggle Switch
Toggle Switch
Rotary Switch
Four-Pole Rotary Switch
0.040” Clear Panel Cover
Watch This Space For
Pictures Of Ross Custom
Switches‘ New Fully
Automatic And Indexed
Transfer Table.
Available Now For
Scale & HiRail!
See Our Website, www.rossswitches.com
Or Call Ross Custom Switches At 1-800-331-1395
Back On Track...
In my last column this hobo mentioned his frustration with
laying two-rail flex track. It was easy to decide to switch over
to scale track: the tough part was actually doing it. Try as
hard as I could, the track would just not come out right. Either
slight kinks raised their ugly heads, some little gaps showed
up, or the track would not install the way I wanted. A few
authorities on the subject wrote in to the editor and submitted their suggestions, tips, and encouraging words. This was
much appreciated. Suggestions were offered that varied with
everything from keeping the three-rail track and adding an
outside pick-up rail; to soldering all of the rail ends together
for 25 to 30 sections of “welded” rail. The latter suggestion
seemed the best, but I was not sure about the permanent idea
of soldering at this point in my track laying experience. Hobo
believes in flexibility.
Flexibility is still needed for I am not yet ready to be called
Hobo D. Tracklayer! All of the suggestions did get me thinking
and, after a lot of reading and re-reading of the notes, talking
to “those who have gone before”, and searching ideas on the
Internet, I at least did the next best thing. I got started. Work
is now progressing on the layout: at least track is being laid.
Trains are running, but not on schedule and only in a point
to point arrangement (from the point of where the track work
starts to where the track work ends).
This is an individualist hobby and everybody does it his
way. You have to experiment and adapt methods and ideas
to fit your own pattern. Hobo is no different. What I found
works best for me is to choose a starting track. Lay that starting track out on the roadbed and tack it in. Place a mark on
the inside rail at the halfway point. Then cut the track and pull
it out of the ties and spikes. File the cut end smooth, line up
the track connector, and use a Dremel tool to burnish a slight
depression in the plastic tie where the track connector will fit.
Next, line up the next complete section of flex track and
pull out the inside rail and insert it into the section that you
just laid. Line up the rail at the junction where the joiner is.
The next step is to line up the outside rail at its junction. Check
for a smooth transition and tack into place. The key word here
is “tack”, as I find it best not to nail the track into permanence
at this time. Tack the nails in so that they are just below the
top of the rails, but not nailed into the ties. This clearance is
important for the track testing that is soon to come.
Check everything at least three times. Like my old, wise
carpenter friend says, “Measure twice, cut once.” Continue
laying sections in this manner, being careful to line up the
ends at the midway point and slide the next half section of
track into each connector.
After I get 10-12 sections of track laid at this point I like to
stop, check, and re-check everything in preparation for the
testing.
The true test is actually running a locomotive through the
track, for that is the whole purpose of this task. The track might
look beautiful at this point, but it has to support the trains.
Test #1 is to take a small loco like a 2-8-0, for example. Put
it on the track, put some power to it, and see if it goes through
the curves. Is everything smooth? Are there any kinks? Is the
gauge true? Run forward, and then in reverse. Watch out for
old D. Railer. If D. Railer shows up and the locomotive jumps
the track, note the sections and realign, re-tack, re-check and
re-test. Repeat this until everything is smooth.
Test #2 is to choose the biggest and heaviest locomotive in
your roundhouse. Take this beast out and onto this new track
work and take it for a run. My loco of choice for this is a big
2-10-4. If something is not right with the track, that loco will
find it! Proceed slowly at first. Let the drive wheels find the
rail. Since the track is still not nailed tightly at this point, you
will notice that the big loco will help smooth out the track.
Run again in forward and then in reverse. Again, look out for
D. Railer. Realign, re-tack, re-check, and re-test until you are
pleased with the results.
At this point it is perfectly normal to add some freight cars
to the train. Try five or six cars behind the loco. When you are
satisfied with the results, go ahead and let the train pull some
passenger equipment on the new track as well. Now you can
tighten the track nails. Don’t get carried away, however; you
still have a lot more track to lay.
Although there are many ways to lay track, I have learned
that it just works better to lay the track in groups or sections
like the real “section crews” and this method allows for quality control for a smooth running railroad.
That’s all for now... this hobo has a train to catch.
u
Direct!
TBuy
WIN
WHISTLE SIGN & KIT CO.
31 Turnberry Drive, Arden, NC 28704 (828) 684-6785
ASSEMBLED
BUILDINGS ARE
AVAILABLE!
The Classic!
Kit: $54.95
Footprint: 10” x 4.5”
Buy Directly from our e-store!
WWW.TWINWHISTLE.COM
• Pre-Cut Basswood Body
• Complete Instructions
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Graphics
• Grandt Lines Doors &
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e-mail:
[email protected]
Sumpter
Valley
Depot
East Gary
Car Co.
Dept OST
3828 St. Joseph Ct
Lake Station IN 46405
They’re Back!
135 NW Greeley Avenue,
Bend OR 97701
Former Indianapolis Car Company sides
are now available from new tooling.
Parts #100 & #200
$3.00 each
Specializing in O Scale 2-rail
model trains since 1985
● We buy or consign brass model
collections
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accepted
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●
Orders under $50 please add $4.50 for postage and
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Check our website for latest
O Scale Listings
www.sumptervalley.com
[email protected]
Tel: 541/382-3413
Fax:541/389-7237
Hours:
Mon. thru Fri 8:30 AM - 5PM
and sometimes on Saturdays
Advertise in O Scale Trains! Reach 2-Rail
and 3-Rail scale modelers who want what
you have to sell. Contact Jeb Kriigel
([email protected]).
NOW IN!
STOCK
NYC “Pacemaker”
1937 AAR Box Car
3-Rail (8569)
$55.95*
2-Rail (9569)
$59.95*
Additional Atlas O Special Runs Coming Soon:
Philadelphia Quartz 70 Ton Hopper , Berwind Coal 55-ton Hopper
New Haven Black/Orange 40 Ft. Box Car,
Maine Central “Pine Tree Route” X-29 Box Car
Available in four road numbers,
(2 with Youngstown Doors; 2 with Superior doors)
amhobbiesonline.com
PayPal
6 Delmar Ridge Drive
Wellsboro, PA 16901
(570) 723-1824 [email protected]
*Shipping:$5.95 for 1 car; $6.95 for 2 to 4 cars
P&D Hobby Shop
‑
31280 Groesbeck,
Fraser, MI 48026
586-296-6116
Open Mon-Fri 10-8,
Sat 10-6, Sun 12-5
Fax: 586-296-5642
www.pdhobbyshop.com
P&D Hobby F Unit Sale
Model shown is #8001
POWERED F “A” Units: Reg. $350, SALE $289.99
POWERED F “B” Units: Reg. $315, SALE $264.99
#7001 EMD F3-Ph4, F7-Ph1 early , 36" low fans, 36" dynamic brake, 2 portholes, horiz grilles
#8001 EMD F7-Ph1 late, F7-Ph2, 36" low fans, 48" dynamic
brake, 2 portholes, Farr (vert) grilles (shown above)
#9001 EMD F9, 36" fans, 48" dynamic brake, 2 portholes,
Farr (vert) grilles
#3001 EMD F3-Ph3, F7-Ph1, 36" low fans, 36" dynamic
brake, 3 portholes, horiz grilles
#4001 EMD F7-Ph1 (late), F7-Ph2, F9, 36" low fans, 48"
dynamic brake, 2 portholes, Farr (vert) grilles
UNPOWERED F “A” Units: Reg. $225, SALE $189.99
UNPOWERED F “B” Units: Reg. $200, SALE $169.99
brake, 2 portholes, Farr (vert) grilles
Farr (vert) grilles
F Unit “A” Body KITS: reg. $99.95, on sale $82.99
brake, 2 portholes, Farr (vert) grilles
Farr (vert) grilles
F Unit “B” Body KITS: reg. $94.99, on sale $79.99
All kits include brass etched grills, appropriate detailed
parts, and preformed grab irons for indicated model.
These kits include only the parts above the frame.
Silver Plume House
laser cut wood building kit desinged from the
original building in silver Plume Colorado,
the kit features laser lattice and picket fence
and reasonalby easy assembly...
footprint is 8 1/2” x 9 1/4”
#6091 O scale $134.95
421 Hopkins Road
Dummerston, VT
05301
800-653-8214
www.bantamodelworks.com
BRUMMY’S
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Scale or Hi-Rail Size:
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200 23rd St. NW • Barberton, OH 44203
email: [email protected]
Remote
Control Systems
of New England
Sales and Service East of Mississippi
Remote Controls for “O” Scale
Trains. Batteries, Chargers,
Sound Systems, and Installations.
Systems starting at $170
Don Sweet
Phone: (603) 321-1347
Email: [email protected]
www.remotecontrolthrottles.com
RTR ‘O’ Scale Freight Cars
Wooden Reefers 2 road numbers each
RC-0519 PFE 47' double colored herald, Dec.
RC-0543 PFE ‘Meat Service’ 47' double colored
herald, Dec.
10,000 Gallon Tank Cars 4 road numbers each
RC-0351
UTLX black Type 103 W, Jan.
RC-0352
SHPX black Type 103 W, Jan
RC-0380
Warren* silver Type 103 W, Jan
RC-0369
Richfield* black Type 103 W, Jan
*Indicates this is an older kit made into RTR.
42' 10" Flat Cars 4 road numbers each name
RC-0262
NYC (brown) Sept.
RC-0273
U. S. Army (OD green) Sept.
RC-0264
N.P. (black) Sept.
RC-0269
PRR (oxide) Nov.
RC-0272
SP (brown) Nov.
Visit our web site at www.red-caboose.com • Couplers are included for consumer to install
SP & PFE are registered trade marks of Union Pacific, used under license.
Red Caboose, P.O. Box 200, La Salle, Colorado 80645 • 970-284-6830 • Fax 970-284-6812 • [email protected]
in the gauge.
I hope this routine makes your tracklaying enjoyable instead of frustrating.
Regards, Jim EuDaly (via email)
NMRA & O Scale Convention
I just finished reading your thoughts on
the O Scale National Convention being
absorbed into future NMRA annual conventions. I have just returned from Parsippany and this year’s convention (where I
purchased Issue #27) and, as in previous
years, have found it to be well organized,
to the credit of the NYSME. Your editorial
makes very good points pro and con, many
the same I thought of as I was reading.
If the folks at the NMRA can make
a convincing argument that the close,
friendly atmosphere of a typical O Scale
Convention can be maintained, and not
get lost in the huge sea of combined scales
at the NMRA convention, then at the very
least it is worth pursuing a dialog.
On the other hand, a partnership with
the NMRA may bring more attention to
increased use of standards in O Scale,
which to me surely needs improvement.
I think the NMRA has stayed away from
encouraging its own increased participation in O Scale because of the fractured
nature of O Gauge in general.
I am aware it has been difficult at times
to garner support and effectively run an O
National. In fact, the thought of asking my
cohorts at Cherry Valley whether we want
to step up has crossed my mind. Though,
upon further examination, we may just be
too small a group to effectively manage a
National.
In closing, the answer to your request
would be the NMRA needs to assure that
the integration would not drown O Scale
in a sea of HO and N, but rather broaden
its exposure and appeal. For that, substantitive proposals need to be presented.
Chris Crane (via email)
Keep on Truckin’
Hi. I am not only enjoying O Scale Trains,
I am becoming a better modeler. [You have]
good articles that “get me moving.” I have
two O Scale layouts. One is O Scale switching, 40’ x 2’, and the other is On30, 2’ x 17’.
The On30 uses all LaBelle old-time cars. It
all keeps me busy at age 72!
Milt Johnson, Calif.
Help for Hobo
I received the Sept/Oct issue of O Scale
Trains yesterday and read [Hobo’s] column
with interest. I detect a high level of frustration with two-rail flextrack and, as one
who has laid over 3,000 feet of the stuff
on my layout, I want to help relieve your
frustration. The items you need are simple:
flextrack of your choice (but NOT weathered rail), metal rail joiners, a bottle of
liquid rosin flux, rosin core solder, a heavy
soldering iron or gun, preferably 100-200
watts, a piece of wood about 1” by 2-3”
and the same thickness as the ties on your
flextrack, and two alligator clips. The rosin
flux is available at electronic supply stores
and weathered rail will require cleaning
off the weathering chemical in order to
get a good solder joint. You will eventually
paint the track anyway.
As you’ve learned, rail joiners will not
hold a smooth curve with O Scale rail,
a kink is inevitable. Here’s the routine.
Remove a tie from each end of the track
sections by clipping the plastic connector
and sliding the tie off. If the track is going
to be on a curve, remove about 1/8 to 1/4
inch from the inside rail. The easiest way
is a cutoff disc in a motor tool. After a few
pieces you’ll get a feel for the amount to
cut off. We want the rail ends to be opposite each other after the track is curved.
Slide the ties away from the rail ends 2-3”
and hold with an alligator clip on the rail.
Align the two pieces of track in rail
joiners with the track straight. Brush a
liberal amount of Rosin flux on both sides
of the joiner and rail. Place the block of
wood under the joint to prevent a vertical kink when soldering. Apply enough
heat and solder to the joiner to flow solder
through the joiner to both sides of the rail
and both ends of the joiner. Ties are clear
of the joint so the heat will not damage
them.
Now remove the alligator clips and
slide the ties to the ends of the joiner. The
flextrack can now be curved as necessary and the soldered joint will maintain
a smooth curve with no vertical or lateral
kinks. After the track is fastened down,
shave the plastic spikes from a tie and
deepen the rail slot to clear the rail joiner
and slide the tie under the joiner to fill in
the missing tie(s).
I was a little paranoid about long sections of track with soldered connections,
so in about the middle of every stretch
of tangent track I made a “slip-joint” by
soldering the joiner on only one rail end.
I used a flat toothpick to maintain a little
space between the rail ends until the track
was fastened down. I have several areas
where 25 or 30 feet of track is soldered
into one long rail and I have never had a
problem with kinks developing or changes
“Hobo” Needs to Be Specific
This is in response to the “Hobo” column in the September/October issue. This
paints a pretty grim picture of conversion
from 3-Rail to 2-Rail scale. I am currently
involved in doing just this, but it has been
a staged process over several iterations of
my rather small layout. The older Walthers
catalogs from the ’70s described several
routes for moving from 3-Rail to 2-Rail
scale in steps. This included a step using
scale track with a separately installed
inside or outside third rail. What I had
done in the last iteration of my layout (my
layout is in sections and forced to iterate
due to relocations for work) was use a
combination of Gargraves track and handlaid code 172 rail. For the handlaid code
172 rail, I installed a third rail of code 70
rail soldered to the tops of brass flathead
screws at about four inch spacings. The
code 172 rail clears Lionel flanges and the
flanges of all of the “scale-plate” locomotives when I used a combination of small
spikes and Pliobond cement. This time I
was going to use outside third rail since I
had managed to acquire a few more scale
locomotives of small size.
However, I am taking the plunge into
2-Rail, as these locos are 2-Rail. I think that
the Gargraves should be temporarily useable, except the switches, since the outer
rails are isolated from one another by wood
ties. The handlaid track should be useable
since the outer rails are isolated from each
other. Now I don’t know if this approach
would work with the code 148 rail which is
currently available. That is just one example
of the particular importance of information
on transitional use of the use of the modern
materials that are available.
For example I found that the Gargraves
switches with the plastic frogs had flangeways that were wide, even for Lionel, so
it was pretty easy to get a truck sideways
when backing a cut of cars through them.
The older “frogless” design worked better
with scale cars and I “improved” the modern switches by epoxying in shim stock to
narrow the flangeways to the minimum
that Lionel flanges would tolerate. However such issues as how scale wheels
perform on “Atlas O” three-rail tracks, and
what rail code does that track correspond
to anyway, probably should be addressed.
I would like to see the exploration of specific transition steps in a positive, technical ‘how-to” article or articles about what
actually can work and test results with
various approaches.
This might be a useful service for the
magazine or the next “practical guide”
revision to perform. I think it would
facilitate the growth of the 2-Rail/full scale
hobby in a positive way, as does the manufacturer who provides the technology for
3-Rail/2-Rail inter-convertibility. (This latter
feature on RTR locomotives, by the way,
is deserving of an engineering innovation
award of some kind.) It is, of course, too
late for me because I am going on down
that road. I think it might be helpful to
others who have been “scale-plating” and
would like to see practical ideas on taking
the next step, other than selling off everything on Ebay and starting over.
Over the years I have built scale rolling
stock kits, some of which are “universal
cars” with a tinplate style coupler on one
end and a scale MDC or Weaver coupler
on the other end. Some of these are wood
and metal, some are nicely detailed plastic. This was also suggested in the Walthers catalog article.
If my attempt at 2-Rail doesn’t work, I
will install an outside third rail, and operate my O Gauge as my grandfather insisted was the way it should be done.
By the way, all of the acrimony about
non-prototypical outside third rail should
be tempered a bit. In addition to outside
third rail power distribution on electric
lines, some steam lines used outside third
rail shoes on their locomotives to actuate
a signal system. Now, I will readily admit
that a third rail shoe on a tender truck
sideframe is not a bunch of “cat whiskers”
extending from every corner of the locomotive, and these signal actuating third
rails were unlikely to be other than short
lengths located strategically to actuate
block signals, but still there were outside
third rail shoes on some steam locomotives.
Von Richards (via email)
Reality Check
Having just returned from the O Scale
National Convention in Parsippany, New
Jersey, I have come away with lots of new
modeling ideas and plenty of inspiration.
Certainly the New York Society of Model
Railroad Engineers did a fantastic job of
organizing and hosting this great event.
The seminars, tours, and trading halls were
very well attended. Everyone came away
with the idea that O Scale is certainly alive
and well.
One central theme at the convention
centered on the future of O Scale. This I
found to be very interesting. An evening
panel consisting of all of the traditional
manufacturers attempted to tackle the
topic. Even though each of them had various views and opinions, all of them agreed
on one principle: IT IS NECESSARY to
get more young people into O Scale in
order to grow the hobby. But the question remained, “How do we do it?” Most
expressed nervousness, fears, and concerns about competition from new manufacturers; and the question at hand was
never really answered. It seems as though
O Scale traditionally has operated like a
private country club where brass was king
and only those with means could belong.
Competition, in my way of thinking, is
what drives the American dream.
Well-traveled throughout this hobby, I
conclude that if O Scale is to grow it will
require competition. That competition will
come not only from the traditional builders of the past, but from new manufacturers, some of whom we may not yet have
heard. Certainly, a young person entering
the O Scale hobby cannot afford the cost
of most brass models. The private country
club marketing strategies of the past seem
to be geared towards a closed and limited
clientele. The EXCLUSIVE ways of the past
must now be INCLUSIVE to attract more
people into O Scale.
What we need are scale models for
the common man. The future of O Scale
depends upon it. I think that we will soon
see several manufacturers who are new
to O Scale entering the market which
will offer us other choices. This is a good
thing. As a scale model railroader, I welcome new ideas. More choices with scale
track and turnouts, two-rail diecast locos,
two-rail starter sets, entry level locos and
rolling stock, exciting operating features,
control systems, details, and realistic
sounds will soon be announced.
Going into O Scale sometimes creates
a whirlwind of backwards marketing for
the newcomer... a juggling act of selling
off another collection very low and buying
new scale pieces very high. New manufacturers will bring choices. A lot of us
have financial limitations. We may never
get to the point of being able to afford certain brass pieces. THAT IS OK. What we
do look forward to is high-quality models
that are loaded with details, look like the
prototype, operate well, and are available
at an affordable price. That is truly a REALITY CHECK.
So far the traditional manufacturers
haven’t met those needs. Maybe they will.
I suggest that the new manufacturers will
definitely listen. There is a whole new
market out here in O Scale. The beauty
of this is that no one has to re-invent the
wheel. It is just a matter of balance. In
order to attract new people to O Scale it
is going to have to be a cost-effective proposal. Making a transition is an expensive
decision. Starting out in O Scale is also
very costly. That is where the competition comes in. Great models at affordable
prices will provide lots of model railroaders the opportunity to enjoy O Scale. Old
rules of supply and demand no longer
work, for by controlling supply, some have
traditionally controlled demand. The modeling monopoly is ending.
I applaud all of the traditional manufacturers for making the very best possible O
Scale models. There will always be a market for brass and those who can afford the
very, very best. But I also encourage the
new manufacturers to make some locomotives for the common man types like me.
After all, I am just a model railroader who
happens to love scale model trains.
K. Jeb Kriigel, Charlottesville, Va.
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A Whistle Up the Valley -Vermont’s White River RR – Jones . . . 27.50
Alco High Hoods . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27.50
Alco’s Northeast Beyond Schenectady 1969-2006. . . . . . . . . . . . 55.50
Amtrak in the Heartland . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45.50
Baltimore – Washington Trolleys in Color –King . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48.50
The Big Legacy of the Union Pacific Big Boy – Reisdorff . . . . . . . 19.50
Burlington Route Passenger Cars –FWW . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55.50
Brookville Locomotives Then & Now . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36.50
Canadian Pacific Railway - Murray. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32.00
Canadian Pacific Steam in Color
Vol 1 Montreal & East or Vol 2 Montreal & West . . . . each 48.50
Canadian Trolleys in Color Vol 1 Eastern Canada – Halperin . . . 48.50
Chama /Cumbres with a Little Chili - Reprint – Dorman . . . . . . . . 45.50
Chesapeake & Ohio Diesel Locomotives 1949-71 . . . . . . . . . . . . 36.50
Chicago Great Western . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19.50
Chicago & North Western Pass Trains of 400 Fleet Photo Archive . . 27.50
Chicago & West Towns Railway – CERA. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55.50
Colorado Rail Annual 27 Western Pacific . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45.50
Death Rode the Rails-Amer RR Accidents & Safety 1828-1965-Aldrich 55.50
Dow’s Dictionary of Railway Quotations – Dow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41.00
Duluth, Winnipeg & Pacific in Color – Schauer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48.50
Edwards Railway Motor Car Company. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45.50
EMD SW1500 2nd Generation Work Horse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32.50
Erie Lackawanna Trackside with the McCarthy’s . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48.50
Erie Railroad Facilities in Color Vol 1: New Jersey – Yanosey. . . 48.50
Famous Name Trains (of the Canadian Pacific) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27.50
The Florida Keys Overseas Railway – Zeiller. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51.50
Focus on Freight Cars Vol 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27.50
Ghost Rails Vol 2 Western Allegheny Railroad Company . . . . . . 36.50
Great Northern in Color Vol 1: Lines West – Hickcox . . . . . . . . . . 48.50
Great Society Subway – Washington, DC – Schrag. . . . . . . . . . . 27.50
Hard Coal & Coal Cars – Hauling Anthracite on the NYO&W. . . 51.50
Hist of the Evansville Indianapolis & Terre Haute RR–Reed . . . . 20.50
Illinois Central Color Pictorial Vol 2 – Downey. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55.50
Jawbone – Sunset on the Lone Pine- Serpico . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33.50
Logging Railroads Along the Pemigewasset River – Gove . . . . . 25.50
Logging RRs of Weyerhaeuser’s Vail–McDonald Operation. . . . 46.50
Lost Trolleys of Queens and Long Island . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19.50
The Men Who Loved Trains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26.50
Milwaukee Road Locos Vol 1 EMD Freight & Passenger . . . . . . 55.50
Narrow Gauge Country 1870-1970 – Ferrell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55.50
New York Central Steam on the Harlem and Putnam Divisions. 19.50
North American Steam Locomotive Builders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40.50
Old Maud (B&O) – A Life & Times – Ames. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56.50
Ottawa Streetcars – McKeown . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50.50
Pennsy in the 1950’s – Last Great Decade. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56.50
Pennsylvania RR in the Schuylkill River Valley – Bernhart. . . . . . 45.50
Pennsylvania Railroad’s Broadway Limited – Welsh. . . . . . . . . . . 32.00
Railroad Atlas of North America – Western Canada. . . . . . . . . . . 28.50
Rails Along the East Branch – Delaware & Northern . . . . . . . . . . 40.50
Rails Around Durango . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19.50
Railways of Costa Rica. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26.00
Rock Island Trackside 1960-1980 – Stout . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48.50
Sacramento Streetcars. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19.50
Santa Fe Locomotive Development. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65.50
Santa Fe Steam Pictorial Vol 10 3800 Class 2-10-2 Part 1. . . . . 26.50
Seaboard Air Line & Family Lines Railroad 1967-86- Griffin . . . . 32.50
Silver City Narrow Gauge s/c. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27.50
Slow Trains Down South – Daily ‘Cept Sunday – V1 Ferrell . . . . 55.50
Slow Trains Down South – Deep in Dixie – Vol 2 Ferrell . . . . . . . 55.50
Southern Pacific Freight Cars Volume 4 Boxcars . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65.50
Southern Pacific Passenger Trains Color History . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32.00
Southern Pacific Sacramento Division – Jennison. . . . . . . . . . . . . 65.50
Southern Railway Through Passenger Service in Color. . . . . . . . 48.00
Spokane Street Railways. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27.50
Steam Over Donner – Pictorial Hist of Donner Pass – Still. . . . . . 26.50
Steam to Northern Ontario. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53.50
Track and Time – Western Pacific . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37.50
Trackside Around Charlottesville, VA 1967-1984. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48.50
Trackside Around Kansas 1950-1975 – Stagner. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48.50
Trackside Around Louisville East 1948-1958 - Fravert . . . . . . . . . 48.50
Trackside Around Louisville West 1947-1958 –Fravert . . . . . . . . 48.50
Trackside Around New Jersey 1968-1983 – Yanosey . . . . . . . . . 48.50
Trackside Around West Virginia 1963-1968 – Withers . . . . . . . . 48.50
Trackside in Appalachia with Gene Huddleston. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48.50
Trackside in Search of Northern New England Steam-Canfield . 48.50
Trackside Milwaukee Road East or West - Boyd each . . . . . . . . 48.50
Trackside Reading Anthracite Country - Plant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48.50
Tri-State Traction-Interurban Trolleys of SW MO, SE KS & NE OK. . . 27.50
Union Pacific – 2 vols. – Klein . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47.00
Union Pacific Equipment – Reprinted - Kratville . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45.50
Union Pacific in Southern California 1880-1990 – Duke. . . . . . . . 47.50
West Point Route – Hanson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40.50
West Side Belt Route – Worley. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27.50
Western Pacific in Color . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48.50
Working on the Railroad – Solomon. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32.00
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RS-1..Rutland, CNJ, NH, RI, LIRR, WT..$249-$309
SD-35..WM, N&W, SOU, CNJ, B&O..$249-$309
GP-35's..GMO, RDG, WM, UP, GN, more..$249-$379
Dash 8's..CSX, NYSW, UP, SP, BNSF..$249-$309
GP-60's, C424, C628, SD-40, GP-9's..$339-$389
SW's..RR, LV, Rdg, CNJ, NYC, DL&W..$249-$299
MTH..PRR H-3..$649, K-4..$599 CNJ P-47..$749
Weaver....U25b....PRR, EL, MILW....$189-$199
VO-1000..blowout..B&O, CNJ, GN, LV, WM..$199
RS-11/RSD12..C&O, DWP, MEC, PRR..$199
USRA Light Pacific..WM, N&W, B&M, MEC, MILW..$495
Shaft drive RS-3's, FA/FB's..............$99-$150
TM
Passenger Sets
Golden Gate..P70 4 car set..PRR, LIRR..$359
80' Coachs..SP, SF, NH, NYC, UP, NP, GN, more..$389
Weaver..B-60 Baggage..PRR, LIRR, N&W..$75
Troop cars..Sleeper, Kitchen, Xprs, M/W..$65-$85
K-line 80' streamline..NYC, Amtk, RG, B&O..call
Box Cars - 2 rail
Pecos River..SF, CBQ, NYC, SOU, NKP, WAB...$35
Atlas..40' Woodside..B&O, C&O, CBQ, CNJ, NYC
NW, PRR, D&H, Rdg, SP, WM, WAG, P&R, M/W..$40-$55
40' Steel..Rebuilts, 1937 AAR...Erie, NYSW, PRR,
NYC, CNW, C&O, WM, CN,Erie, NH 15+ roads...$47-$55
40' Trainman..B&M, MEC, LN, NYC, PRR, UP, more..$37
X-29's..$55-$62. HyCubes..60'..$75. New 40'..$37
50'..MILW, DH, NYC, BAR, MKT, SAL, SF, LN, NH..$50-$55
53'..Aloha, Purina, B&M, BN, IC, CNW, FEC..$35-$49
60'..C&O, CSX, B&O, EL, RG, Sou, NW, WM..$40-$50
Weaver..ACL, ACY, BAR, B&O, B&M, CBQ, CIM, CNJ
CN, CP, CV, CR, D&H, DTSL, EL, GN, IC, MEC, LV, PC
L&N, MEC, MP, NYC, N&W, NH, PHD, more $20-$30
Refrigerator Cars - 2 rail
Weaver/Crown..B&M, BN, CV, CN, NYC, REA,
Whitehouse, Dubuque, Nrn Refrig, Wescott, Hoods
Harding, Whitings, West Indies, Beer Cars, more..$25
Atlas..36' & 40' woodside..Erie, NYC, CNW, ATSF,
WP, PFE and 20+ billboard reefers..$45-$75
40' steel..BAR, IC, MDT, ART, DLW, Barbee..$55
40' plug door..NH, PRR, WM, WP, DTI, REA
FGE, CNJ, NP, ATSF, NYC, SSW, ART......$37
Covered Hoppers - 2 rail
Weaver PS-2..BN, CBQ, CNW, CP, CR, CSX, DLW
C&O, EL, LV, NH, NYC, PRR, SLSF, WAB, UP, BNSF
Jack Frost, Bakers Choc., Linde, Imco, more..$20-$25
50' Centerflow or PS-2CD..CR, CP, LV, NYC, PRR, RI,
Rainbow, Dupont, ADM, Amoco, Arco, UP, more..$20-$25
Atlas..ACF..Erie, DLW, GN, SP, WM, more..$55
Cylindrical..DLW, CNJ, GN, PRR, WAB, NYC..$35-$45
Airslide..LV, DH, CSX, PRR, Erie, SF, RG..$40-$50
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Hopper Cars - 2 rail
Atlas..Wartime..$40-$45. H21a..PRR..$58, PC..$45
Ore cars..CN, UP, DMIR..$25. Fishbelly, USRA..$40-$48
Weaver..2, 3, 4-bay..CBQ, CR, D&H, DLW, Erie, EL, IC,
NH, NYC, NKP, NW, PRR, WM, NYSW, Indiana Power,
CNW, UP, Reading, FEC, Chessie, MStL, more..$20-$30
Tank Cars - 2 rail
Weaver...40' & 50', new & old, 20+ roads...$25-$35
Atlas..33K..CNTX, GLNX, Union Tex, Sub Propane..$45
17K..Diamond, Hooker, Stauffer, ACFX, SHPX..$55-$60
8K..Bakelite, NE Alcohol, Phila Qtz, 10 more..$50-$55
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Front runner..$45. 89' flats..$50-$65. Trailers..$25-$35
Stock cars..UP, Armour, DRGW, CNW, SF, PRR..$25-$37
Weaver..Flat and stock cars...many roads..$20-$30
Gondolas - 2 rail
Atlas..40' composite..PRR, NYC, SOU, SP, B&M..$51
50'..B&O, CNJ, GN, NW, NYC, PRR, Rdg, UP, LV..$37
Wvr..CNJ, NYC, LV, RI, SF, UP, Rdg, NW, SOU..$27
Cabeese - 2 rail, 3 rail scale
Weaver..B&M, CR, NYC, Reading, Chessie, LV, D&H,
Erie, EL, PRR, MMID, Monon, ICG, N&W, more..$25-$40
K-line..Bay window,.$48. MTH N8, N5c, NE'rn..$45-$55
Atlas..CR, Chessie, NKP, RFP, Rutland, DRGW
SF, BN, GN, Shawmut, plus new ones..$45-$65
e-mail us at [email protected]
PO Box 1035 • Drexel Hill, PA 19026
610-259-4945 • VISA•MC•DISC•AMEX
1-800-966-3458 • www.gorillatape.com
The prototype
for the kit was
built at Clark’s,
near Campbell
Hall, NY on the
New York,
Ontario &
Western RR.
480
480 The Creamery O.....12" x 7" x 5" .......199.98 179.98
Crow River Products O....Crafstman kits
Includes additional
walls to increase
the size of the
main building.
(Tree not
included)
305B
This kit consists of CRP 305 Sylvester
Supply Co. and the 305D Barrett &
Sharp Diorama Kit.
Includes 307
Stainless Steel
Industrial
Smoke Stack
and an
Eyebrow
Monitor for
roof detail
This kit makes an eye-popping diorama
305B Barrett and Sharp.16"x16" approx .....265.00 225.00
315
Twin Drum Hoisting
Winch O… The hoisting
unit is based on a unit
built by American Hoist
& Derrick. Although not
an exact replica of the
unit it's best features
are included in this
unpainted model kit.
Sale 62.60
O56
Electric Winch / Car
Puller O - 12.00
Bar Mills Models O.. Laser Wood Kits with details
934
944
934 Saulena's Tavern O.... 5 3/4" x 11" net 99.98
944 Majestic Hardwar & Feed O 9” x 12”net 169.98
Rusty Stumps.. HO Limited Edition Kits
K4502
The Fall Creek Freight Depot
is a laser cut craftsman kit.
22' x 46' Footprint 5-1/2x11-1/2
K4503
K4502 Backwoods Water Tower O .............net 79.95
K4503 Fall Creek Freight Depot O... ..........net 69.95
Downtown Deco.... O Limited Edition Hydrocal Kits
The two buildings, Johnny Stechino's &
Big Ed's, have a bit of something for everyone.
Vehicle and figures not included
40
40 Johnny Stechino's & Big Ed's O ......89.95 81.00
Add $6.00 S&H in 48 States • Others pay actual
postage cost • N.Y. residents add 8.25% sales tax.
(prices are subject to change w/o notice)
www.valleymodeltrains.com
valleymodeltrains.com
462 Flagstop Station O... 5" x 6" x 4" ............39.98 36.00
401 Tower House O.. 10" x 7" x 12" .........179.99 161.98
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401
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462
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VALLEY MODEL TRAINS
PO BOX 1251, Wappingers Falls, N.Y. 12590
Credit Card Orders Welcome
Order/Info(845)297-3866 Fax(845)298-7746
Laser-Art Structures O Laser Cut kits
BF&M
Baldwin Forge & Machine
Box 5, Baldwin MD 21013
How can we help you? Custom machine
work, 3-R to 2-R conversions for steam,
diesel or electric. Driver castings
machined. General repairs to O Scale locomotives. Call Joe, evenings 7 to 9 PM.
410-592-5275 or [email protected]
Building a Small O Scale Layout
Part Twelve
Michael Culham
In Part Eleven of this series, I talked
about designing and getting together all
the Design Preservation Models (DPM)
wall modules required to build my new
factory. In this issue, I will show you how
easy it is to assemble these into wall sections. When I construct my buildings I
like to leave the walls as individual units,
as it is a lot easier to paint and detail
them when they are lying flat on the
table. After they’re finished, I assemble
them into the building.
The items you will need before you
get started, besides the wall modules, are
as follows:
1) A flat surface to work on.
2) A bottle of liquid plastic cement
3) A sprue cutter
4) A 3/4” wide flat file
With all these items at hand, we’re ready
to start the wall modules.
Assembling the Walls
When you first get the wall modules,
you’ll see that there’s flash and casting
sprue ends on them that will have to be
to ensure a good fit at the joints (Photos
3 & 4). Once the sections are all ready,
I take some liquid plastic cement (I use
6
3
7
4
1
Testors brand) and run it along the joints
to bond all the parts together (Photo 5).
5
tos 6 & 7). Glue these on using the same
technique as the wall sections. When
doing the long wall (Wall 3), I built each
section by itself, then glued them together
to make the full wall (Photos 8 & 9). Once
the walls are assembled, the last thing to
8
2
cleaned off (Photo 1). I use a pair of sprue
cutters and a file to clean up each section
before I start. In Photo 2, you can see the
wall sections are all cleaned up and ready
to assemble. With this done, I line up the
sections on a flat surface in the position
that they will be assembled, butting them
together and doing any last minute filing
The liquid plastic cement will run along
the joint and soften the plastic on the
two sides. This joins together like a weld
and, when it hardens, you will have one
solid piece. Don’t forget, you should only
use plastic cements in a ventilated area.
While the glue is still soft, you can make
any final adjustments to the alignment of
the sections. Once you’re satisfied with
the alignment, allow the glue to set up
and dry (about five minutes). While you
are letting one wall dry, go onto the next
one and so on.
Once the walls have dried, the next
step will be to glue on the pilasters (Pho-
9
do is to glue on the cornices on the tops
of the walls (Photo 10). Now the walls are
10
11
complete (Photo 11).
Adding to a Wall
The one wall that had to have some
extra work done to it was Wall 1, as I
mentioned in Part Eleven. This wall had
to be made to a width of 5-3/4”, and the
wall modules are only 4-1/2” in width.
There are two ways of doing this. The
first would be to take a couple of wall
sections and cut them down to 1-1/4” in
width. I have done this on a couple of
buildings in the past. The second would
be to make this extension from some styrene sheet and brick material. This is the
option that I decided on for this building.
I rummaged through my scrap box and
found some pieces of sheet styrene in a
variety of different thicknesses. Then, I
laid them along the side edge of the module section, where the pilaster would go,
to find out which one would match to the
thickness of the wall. I found that 0.060”
thick styrene would be perfect. I then
found a piece, at least 7-1/2” in length
and 1-1/4” wide, in my scrap box (a good
reason to save leftover pieces from earlier
projects).
Next I dug out a sheet of brick material that I had found at a train show, (no
manufacturer’s name on it). This had the
right sized bricks to work in O Scale and
matched closely to the brick on the DPM
modules. A piece of this was cut to the
same size as the styrene sheet and glued
on. This was then glued to the wall section
for Wall 1. Once the glue dried, I found
some scrap strips of styrene that matched
closely in size to the brick rows that run
along the joints in the wall sections and
glued them on to match the rows. I then
cut a piece of cornice to the same width,
13
ished and ready for painting (Photo 13).
Before I started painting, I temporarily
assembled the four wall sections with
pieces of masking tape and test fit the
building into place (Photo 14). I wanted to
14
12
and glued it in place. In Photo 12 you can
see the finished product.
The Finished Walls
With this done, all the walls are fin-
ARMSTRONG TOOL & SUPPLY
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see if there were any last minute changes
to be made before I went any further. It
fit like a glove, and I was already to start
painting. This will be the topic of the next
part of the series, painting and creating
the mortar lines between the bricks. I will
also show you how to do weathering to
give the building that realistic aged look.
So until next time
Happy Modeling.
u
R•B I S H O P
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modelcrafters
P.O. Box 4153 • Burlington, VT 05406 • (802) 651-4005
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Phone: 314-409-4451
Fax: 314-584-7051
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The model comes with a complete interior, less power
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JD’s Trains
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The Art of Finescale
Michael Cougill
Standards- Part 2
Modeling in HO for over thirty years,
I took certain things for granted. Upon
switching to P48, I found life to be very
different in some ways.
One thing I took for granted was how
trucks were mounted. The body and truck
bolsters were pretty much standardized,
no matter whose name was on the box.
Not so in P48. When I inquired about the
subject to my mentor, Warner Clark, he
simply replied, “Washers and shims, all
thicknesses, in pairs. Lots of them.”
Warner further observed, “The one
overriding truth in all rolling stock from all
manufacturers, and even from the same
manufacturer, is not to assume the cars
are at a proper height, be it trucks, truck
bolster, body bolster or draftgear box/car
floor.”
Well, I’ve certainly found this to be true
in my experience of fitting P48 trucks to
my freight cars. I model the modern era,
therefore my selection of rolling stock is
already limited to a few manufacturers,
most of whom primarily cater to the threerail market. Two-rail merchandise is hard
to find in my area, while 3-Rail is plentiful.
What’s more, Lionel or Atlas are the only
sources (short of scratchbuilding) for some
of the car types I want and need.
Somebody will tell me I could save
myself a lot of grief if I’d just see the light
and model the steam-era. That may be
true, but I’m modeling the modern-era by
choice, just as those who model the earlier eras do.
Regardless of what we choose to
model, wouldn’t life be a lot easier if
the various manufacturers could just get
together and agree on some standards of
design and dimensions? The prototype has
already done all the hard head-scratching for us. Why can’t we just follow their
guidelines as we’ve already done with
wheel and track dimensions?
The practice of everybody doing their
own thing is a holdover from the past,
and is slowing the advance of P48 and O
Scale in a real way. One thing the smaller
scales have shown beyond a shadow of
doubt is that interchangeability is the way
to go. Manufacturer X’s trucks fit Manufacturer A, B, Y and Z’s rolling stock without a hitch.
Here’s my challenge to the P48 community as a whole. If we could demonstrate to one of the major players in the
O Scale arena (Atlas O, for example) that
we want, and would support with our
dollars, properly designed and detailed
rolling stock that could be retrofitted with
San Juan, Protocraft, or whomever’s trucks
and wheels, do you think they would
listen? My hunch is they would, if we did
it in a spirit of cooperation to advance
the hobby for everyone and showed that
there could be a real payoff for them by
doing so.
Think about this. If we really emphasized how important fidelity to the prototype is in P48, how complicated would
it be for Atlas O to get their feet wet by
supplying prototypically accurate P48
replacement trucks as an option for their
own equipment? Such trucks could be
included with the cars or sold separately.
With a standardized bolster design, such
a product could be off to a roaring start
and represent a real advance for finescale
modeling. If Athearn can offer accurately
detailed cars with semi-scale wheels in
HO, what is holding O Scale manufacturers back?
It’s the 21st century, folks, and standardization is the way to go for the future
of the hobby. The time to take O Scale out
of the dim past is long overdue. Wouldn’t
it be grand if P48 led the way?
Best regards, Mike
u
WHO’S BEEN WORKING ON YOUR RAILROAD?
Realistic Figures Bring Your Layout to Life
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Conductor looking at watch ................... _5.50 / 3.50_
Conductor Waving ................................. _5.50 / 3.50_
Engineer standing ................................. _5.50 / 3.50_
Engineer standing #2 ............................ _5.50 / 3.50_
Engineer looking forward ...................... _5.50 / 3.50_
Engineer leaning looking back .............. _5.50 / 3.50_
Engineer Waving ................................... _5.50 / 3.50_
Fireman Waving .................................... _5.50 / 3.50_
Standing fireman with shovel................._5.75 / 3.50_
Brakeman hanging on ........................... _5.50 / 3.50_
Man holding up orders .......................... _5.75 / 3.50_
Station Janitor ....................................... _5.75 / 3.50_
Tower Worker throwing switch ............... _5.50 / 3.50_
Tower Boss............................................ _5.50 / 3.50_
Equipment driver ................................... _5.50 / 3.50_
Farmer driving ....................................... _5.50 / 3.50_
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Tools...................................................... _6.50 / 4.00_
Acetylene torch set ............................... _16.99/8.50_
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105 Woodring Lane Newark DE 19702
Custom Building, Repair & Painting Services Available
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470 Schooley’s Mountain Road, Suite 8-117, Hackettstown, New Jersey 07840 • Voice - (908) 684-2070 • Fax - (908) 684-8911
Steam Locomotives
OMI 1935 Hiawatha Steam Passenger Set CP New, 4-4-2 and 5 Cars, Exceptional ...............$4,000
MTH C&O M1 Steam Turbine FP New, 2-Rail Version ...............................................................$695
WS C&O T1 2-10-4 UP New .........................................................................................................$1,895
Weaver NH I5 4-6-4 FP New, Late Version, Streamlined . ...........................................................$925
Oriental N&W Auxiliary Water Tender FP New, Lights . .............................................................$425
PSC NYC F-12 4-6-0 UP L/N, Straight Cyls, 5000 Gallon Tender ............................................$1,195
PSC NYC F-12 4-6-0 FP L/N, Straight Cyls, 7000 Gallon Tender . ...........................................$1,195
USH NYC H-10a 2-8-2 UP Mint, Never Assembled . ..................................................................$1,195
Lionel NYC Dreyfuss J3a S/L Hudson 4-6-4 FP New, Complete - Box, Case, Etc. . ................$3,195
SS NYC K-5 Pacific 4-6-2 UP L/N ...................................................................................................$750
WS PRR J1 2-10-4 UP New . .........................................................................................................$1,995
Kohs PRR K4 4-6-2 Prewar FP Mint, As Built Version .............................................................$3,400
Kohs PRR K4 4-6-2 Postwar FP Mint, Modernized, 110p75 Tender w/Ant. . ..........................$3,400
PSC PRR K4 4-6-2 Standard UP New, Prewar Version - 130p75 tender . ................................$1,150
USH PRR K4 4-6-2 CP Good, Early Run .......................................................................................$595
WS PRR M1 4-8-2 CP New, Backhead Detail .............................................................................$1,095
USH PRR M1a 4-8-2 UP New .......................................................................................................$1,050
MAX PRR N1s 2-10-2 UP Mint, Complete . ................................................................................$1,395
WVR PRR T1 4-4-4-4 Duplex FP L/N, Repowered, Early Porthole Version ...........................$1,350
Gem RDG Camelback 0-4-0 Switcher UP New . ............................................................................$450
PSC SP AC-12 Crown 2-8-8-2 FP New, Crown Model, No. 4294 ..............................................$4,995
SS 3rd SP F3 2-10-2 FP New, 2 Rail, Never Opened, No. 3654 .....................................................$995
GPM SP S-12 0-6-0 Switcher FP Mint, GPM 1269.2, Black Boiler, Late .................................$1,895
GPM SP S-14 0-6-0 Switcher FP Mint, GPM 1286.2, Black Boiler, Late .................................$1,895
C&LS SP 5000 Class 4-10-2 FP New, TRO, No. 5036 . ...............................................................$3,995
WS UP Big Boy 4-8-8-4 UP New, Early Version, Late Run . ......................................................$2,495
Key UP FEF-2 4-8-4 UP New, Coal Version, Rare - 1 of 10 . ......................................................$2,495
USH USRA 0-8-0 Switcher FP L/N, Unlettered .............................................................................$675
OMI WM I-2 Decapod 2-10-0 CP New .......................................................................................$2,195
C&LS WM J1 Potomac 4-8-4 FP New, TRO, 2 Available, No. 1401, No. 1407 ........................$2,195
C&LS WM J-1 Potomac 4-8-4 FP Mint, Road No. 1412 . ..........................................................$2,495
C&LS WM M-2 Challenger 4-6-6-4 FP New, TRO, 2 Available, No. 1201, No. 1211 ..............$2,695
Diesel Locomotives
Atlas AT&SF FM Erie Built A-B-A FP Mint, Warbonnet, A Units Powered ..............................$850
OMI AT&SF SD75M FP New, Warbonnet ..................................................................................$2,195
C&LS C&O ALCO RSD-12 CP L/N, 2 Available, No. 6702, No. 6705 .....................................$1,095
Oriental B&O EMD NW-2 Phase IV CP Ex, Fair Paint ...............................................................$525
OMI DL&W EMD FT A-B UP New . ...........................................................................................$1,295
SS EMD GP-7 Phase I UP Ex ..........................................................................................................$495
Oriental EMD GP-9 Phase I UP New . ............................................................................................$725
Oriental EMD SW-1 UP New . .........................................................................................................$695
RYM GE 44 Ton Diesel Switcher UP New, Phase IV .....................................................................$295
NJCB LIRR B1 Electric Switchers, Pair CP Ex, No Box, LIRR Version, Nos, 334-335 ............$595
OMI NYC FM H-12-44 FP New, Lightning Stripe .....................................................................$1,245
Key PRR ALCO PA-PB FP New, Tuscan 5 Stripe ......................................................................$2,450
Key PRR EMD F3 A Unit FP New, Last run, Brunswick Freight .............................................$1,150
Key PRR EMD F7 A-B FP New, 1st run, Brunswick Freight ....................................................$2,000
Atlas PRR FM Erie Built A-B-B-A FP Mint, 2nd Run, All Units Powered ..............................$1,395
Key SP ALCO PA-PB FP New, Daylight . ....................................................................................$2,495
Key SP EMD E7 A-B FP New, 1st Run, Daylight . ......................................................................$2,395
Other
Fine Arts PRR Sleeper - Harbour Springs FP Mint, Full Underbody, Interior . ........................$695
SSIDE PRR P85br Streamline Coach FP Dulux Gold ..................................................................$495
PSC Railway Express 50’ Express Reefer UP New, PSC No. 16123 .............................................$275
PSC NYC 30 Ft. Wood Caboose UP Mint, PSC. No. 15437 ..........................................................$325
W&R NP 24 Ft. Wood Caboose FP New, Full Interior, Version 5 ................................................$375
Kohs PRR N5c Cabin Car FP New, Interior, Several Versions Available . ..................................$625
Grabowski PRR N5c Cabin Car UP New, w/Antenna . .................................................................$250
PSC PRR N6b Cabin Car FP New, Center Cupola, Shadow Keystone .......................................$295
DVP Virginian C-10 Steel Caboose FP Mint, Steam Era Version ................................................$450
PSC Erie 50 Ton Covered Hopper UP New ....................................................................................$295
DVP GS Steel Drop Bottom Gondola UP New ...............................................................................$295
PLTD P&LE - NYC USRA Design Steel Box Car UP Mint, PL-1600 .........................................$325
OMI PRR F39 Truc Train Flat Car UP New . ................................................................................$250
Kohs PRR GLe Cement Hopper FP New, Several Versions Available . ......................................$495
PLTD PRR H21a Quad Hopper UP Mint, PL-850 ........................................................................$195
PSC PRR 4 Track Watering Bridge UP New . ................................................................................$225
OMI UP 350 Ton Coaling Tower UP New ....................................................................................$2,295
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Footprint: 23"L x 11"W
M DEL TECH, Inc.
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Narrow Minded
Bobber Gibbs
Congratulations to the winners of the O Scale Trains
Magazine Digital Photo Contest. Results should be
posted elsewhere in this issue. I was the judge for the
Narrow-Gauge Category and, in my opinion, the winning photo in the Narrow-Gauge Category was the best
overall photo in the contest.
Once again, I urge readers to contribute to OST and
to this column if you have a good photo that you care to
share. If it’s narrow-gauge, I’ll work it into my column.
If it’s steam, Diesel or traction, I’m sure that our Editor,
Brian, would like to see it.
The National Narrow Gauge Convention was held
in Durango, CO, a few weeks ago and, from what I’ve
heard, it was another resounding success. Now, it’s
time to start planning to attend the 27th annual Narrow
Gauge Convention, to be held in Portland, Maine, next
August 29 to September 1, 2007. See [http://www.27th
narrowgaugeconvention.com/]. I will be presenting an
On30 clinic and I hope to meet a lot of old and new
narrow-gauge modelers. We’re going to have a howling
good time.
A few days ago, we celebrated the 10th anniversary
of the founding of the On30 Conspiracy on the Internet.
We recently soared past 1,000 members and the On30
Conspiracy is, once again, the largest, busiest and funnest O Scale narrow-gauge forum on the Internet. If
you are not a member yet, just go to the following URL
and check it out at [http://groups.yahoo.com/group/
On30conspiracy/].
Because of the huge influence that Bachmann Trains
has had on the model railroading community with their
extensive line of On30 models, I still maintain that there
are currently more On30 modelers than all the other O
Scale gauges combined, including On2, On3, Proto48
and O Scale.
If you model O Scale standard-gauge and read this
column when no one is watching, you will appreciate
that Bachmann Trains has finally made their five-amp
DCC Power Booster available. I will be picking mine
up at the Mid-Atlantic On30 Meet in Gardner, New
York, in October and I’ll install it on my standard-gauge
Northway Railroad at home. Watch for a full report in
my next OST column.
Readers should remember that I am a standard-gauge
modeler in O Scale, first and foremost, and I have been
working in On3 for about 25 years and in On30 for
about 15 years. I can feel the tremendous effect that
On30 has had on our hobby and I believe that this must
truly be the golden age of O Scale. There are more
choices of equipment available, prices are reasonable
and DCC is having a major impact on all model railroaders.
My O Scale Northway Railroad is still progressing.
Construction has extended into Rockwood District
where the standard-gauge and narrow-gauge interchange, so there should be a Golden Spike Celebration
sometime this winter.
How about you? Do you have a narrow-gauge project underway or in mind? I’d love to hear about it.
Happy trains to you until we meet again.
u
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Tappan, NY 10983 • 845-680-0405
Web: www.theoldandwearycarshop.com
Visit our website for updates on these and other future O Scale cars.
Scratchbuild a Gas Station
Tom Houle
As I neared the end of a structures-building marathon for my
layout, I suddenly realized I didn’t have a single gas station on
site to support my growing fleet of cars and trucks. Well, that
most definitely had to be addressed. After thinking it over for
awhile, I settled on a smallish, yet believable, free-lanced station design that would fit into my mid-1950s-era setting, without
taking up a whole lot of space. It would be located on Railroad
Street, just south of Main Street and its row of brick stores and
shops.
I checked out the Walthers and Berkshire Valley kits. They
were very nice, though I thought them to be a bit too large and
perhaps too modern to suit my tastes. I cast about for other kits
and ultimately didn’t find anything in plan or kit form that really
caught my eye. Since I’m an incurable scratchbuilder, I finally
gave up the kit search and headed for the drafting table where
I sketched several elevation ideas onto white poster stock. I
cut out the sketches and taped the designs together to try them
out on the layout. One of my sketches was a small wood-sided
1930s-era station with drop-siding, which I thought might work.
When I tried the mock-up on the layout, it looked too small and
just didn’t seem to work with those brick structures on Main
Street. So I tried a larger footprint, with a relatively tall and
steeply pitched roof. It was a style reminiscent of the pagodaroof gas stations we used to see here in Milwaukee. When all
was said and done, I decided the latest mock-up looked just
right in the desired location on the layout. It has a minimal footprint but, due to its height, it doesn’t get lost among the Main
Street brick structures.
After completing the final elevation and part pattern drawings (See pages 46 & 47), I kneed it on down to Walthers’ Terminal Hobbies to stock up on basswood and styrene supplies.
As much of that material as I try to keep on hand, I still never
seem to have the right sheet and strip sizes I need to launch a
new structure. Don’t get me wrong. I like going to Walthers. It’s
always fun to jaw a bit and trade a few war stories with the guys
behind the Terminal Hobbies counter. They are great guys. They
know their stuff and the Walthers crew has collectively built
several nifty well-scenicked layouts that are on rotating display.
It’s never an uninspiring moment when I go there.
Once back from Walthers, I began construction by laying out
the four wall elevations on 1/16” thick six-inch wide basswood
scribed siding. For those who haven’t scratchbuilt with basswood
before, I suggest you use a 0.5mm lead drafting pencil and a
cork-backed stainless steel straightedge to lay out the parts to be
cut. To cut out the wall outlines, door, and window openings,
I always use my old standby, an X-Acto handle and lots of #11
blades. The steel straightedge ensures I make straight clean cuts.
Keep lots of blades on hand to ensure you’re always working
with a fresh blade. Save the old ones for scraping and chiseling.
I like to make several light cutting passes through the basswood.
Don’t try to cut even 1/32” basswood in one cut. It can crunch
the wood edges. I always cut out the door and window openings
before I cut the wall outlines. This saves you from breaking walls
later, resulting from trying to cut out door or window openings
that are too close to the edge of a wall (Photo 1).
1
Whenever I can, I use Grandt Line
products for my windows, doors and
other architectural details. I like the quality of the line and the broad selection.
For this station, being the chief cook,
bottle washer, and architect, I selected
Grandt Line #3720 double-hung windows
(nine are required) for my large windows.
These windows require 3/4” x 1-15/32”
openings. For me, cutting window openings is a pain, but it’s part of the scratchbuilding mystique and well worth the
effort when you get those walls up and
the windows are crisply displayed. Cutting out the walls and windows is when I
like to slip a CD into my shop player. For
me, there’s nothing like the Harvard Glee
Club singing a Thomas Tallis mass to slow
down the X-Acto blade and improve the
quality of my work. It keeps my head into
the work at hand. Hey, some people like
rock. Others gotta have a TV going at the
bench. I like listening to the long-haired
choral groups.
I used Grandt Line #3602 service
doors, which require 23/32” x 1-11/16”
openings. The auto bay opening is 2” high
x 2-1/8” wide. These double doors are
scratchbuilt, though you might be able to
find something suitable in molded plastic or white metal. A five-section roll-up
door could also be used. The eave end
small upper windows are a pair of Grandt
Line #2 windows I had on hand. They
are meant to ventilate the cavernous attic
space and require 15/32” x 5/8” openings.
Other windows would work as well.
When the walls were done (but before
I installed the service bay door and
Grandt Line windows and doors), I laid
the walls face up on a sheet of newspaper
and lightly sprayed them with a spraycan of Testors Flat White paint. I lightly
covered the basswood to impart a faded
weathered look and to ensure the scribed
board lines were readily visible. You can
crank up the airbrush for this operation,
but it’s not necessary as long you don’t
get too close with that spraycan nozzle.
If you’re not comfortable working with
spraycans, practice on some old newspapers before you spray the walls. The wall
trim is done next (Photo 2).
Pre-painting lengths of uncut trim
boards makes life easier if you’re doing
2
the trim in a second color. I sprayed
lengths of 1/32” x 1/16”, 1/32” x 3/32”,
1/32 x 3/8”, and 1/8” square basswood
strips with a can of Testors #13080 Zinc
Chromate primer. Why they call this paint
“Zinc Chromate” is beyond me. True Zinc
Chromate has a yellowish-green hue and
this paint is a nice deep red. In any case,
I liked the color, so I used it. At this same
time, while I had the spraycan out, I shot
the Grandt Line windows and doors with
the same paint.
I glued pre-painted 1/8” square corner
trim strips to the front and rear (longer)
walls with the trim faces set flush with the
face of the siding. The other pre-painted
strips were used to trim the front triangular dormer face, the auto bay doors and
door frame. The trim patterns are shown
on the drawings. With the walls still in the
flat, I installed the Grandt line windows
and doors. Don’t do the glazing yet, as
you’ll want to decal the walls and spray
them with Testors Dull Cote before you
add the window glazing.
The two auto service doors are simple
affairs, cut from 1/16” thick 1/16” scribed
basswood sheet per the drawings and
then framed with pre-painted stripwood.
You could leave one or both doors ajar
to offer a peek into the auto bay interior.
I added 1/8” square basswood reinforcing strips to the inside faces of the eave
ends, as they had a tendency to bow in
after they were painted. No doubt, being
painted only on the outside caused this
problem. These basswood strips also
increase the gluing surface for the roofing
yet to come (Photo 3).
sheet butt-glued with CA glue to the requisite width. I notched out the floor to
accommodate the auto service and service door frames and the 1/8” square corner trim strips. That done, we can throw
up the walls.
I began with an end wall. I used CA
slow-setting glue here, along with a small
square to ensure the end wall was square
to the floor when the glue kicked. Make
sure that end wall is centered between
the front and back edges of the balsa
floor. The end walls fit between the front
and back walls.
I find using CA kicker really speeds
up assembly. When the first wall was
in place and trued up, I simply hit the
floor-to-wall joint with a small shot of
kicker and I had an instantly cured glue
joint. The back wall went up next. When
making these wall-to-floor glue joints, I
always apply the CA glue from the inside
of the structure. That way, no glue can
seep through the joint to the finished wall
exterior face. I reinforce the corner joints
with a second application of CA glue,
and then sprinkle baking soda onto the
still-wet CA glue. This combination creates rock-hard corner fillets (Photo 4).
When all four walls were up, I added a
4
3
I decaled my walls and service bay
doors with Microscale HO and O Scale
Sinclair Gas decals. I soaked them into
the scribed-board siding using Walthers
decal solvent. After the decals were nicely incorporated into the board siding, I
over-sprayed them with Testors Dull Cote.
Now you can add the windows glazing.
It’s much easier to glaze the windows
with the walls still unassembled. I use
Aleene’s Original Tacky Glue to attach
my glazing. It dries clear and won’t cloud
the acetate.
The floor in my structure is 1/8” balsa
ridgepole to further stiffen the end walls.
The end walls are tall, and the basswood
grain runs horizontally, so the end walls
are prone to warping. You’ll also note,
at this juncture, that the top edges of the
front and rear walls need to be beveled
to accommodate the steep pitch of the
roof. You’ll need to cut pretty deep bevels where the two roof panels meet at the
ridge. I drew pencil lines to indicate the
bevel depth and then simply carved away
the basswood with an X-Acto knife to the
pencil lines. Work slowly and don’t try to
remove all of the wood in one cut. A bit
of waviness or gaps in the bevels won’t
really matter as the ridge will be covered
with basswood sheet and will be completely hidden. That done, I added a
couple of 1/8” thick basswood strips
between the end walls, flush with the
beveled front and rear walls, to create
additional gluing surface for the two roof
panels.
The 1/8” thick 4-13/16” x 7-1/2” roof
panels are glued up from three-inch wide
basswood sheets. 1/8” sheet may seem
too thick for an O Scale roof, but what
it actually does is mimic boxed six-inch
eaves. If you like exposed rafters, use
1/16” x 18” strips and go to it. On this
structure, I preferred the easier-to-do
boxed eaves look. You can butt-glue
sheets of basswood together easily and
quickly, if you first tightly join the two
sheets and hold them together with a
strip of masking tape that runs with the
joint. Then, open the joint on the opposite side of the masking tape just enough
to run a bead of slow-setting CA glue the
length of the joint. Lay the joined sheets
on a flat surface and hit the glue joint
with CA kicker. Presto! You have sixinch wide basswood sheets. Need wider
sheets? Repeat the process to achieve
nine-inch wide sheets. Only a light blocksanding is required to smooth out these
joints.
After block-sanding the bevels, I
glued the two roof panels in place with
Aleene’s Original Tacky Glue. You could
also use Elmer’s white glue or carpenter’s
yellow glue. I would not use CA glue, as
you’ll need time to position the panels as
you apply them. Hold the panels in place
overnight with masking tape. Since the
glue is only on one side of the basswood,
the basswood may try to curl away from
the walls. Retaining the roof panels with
masking tape eliminates that problem
(Photo 5).
5
The dormer triangular roof pieces
above the front door of the station are cut
from 1/8” sheet. The triangular face of the
dormer is 1/16” thick 1/16” scribed basswood. It’s a good idea to pre-paint this
dormer face with your station color, then
add pre-painted trim boards before you
attach the dormer to the roof. I painted
my dormer face the same white as the
walls and trimmed it with 1/32” x 1/16”
basswood strips. The dormer roof panels
require deep bevels, just like the larger
roof panels. It will take a bit of cutting,
sanding, and trial-fitting to get the dormer
roof beveled and sitting plumb on the
front roof. Too many angles! To make life
easier, I included a pattern on the drawings (Photo 6).
black wash from the shingle faces to get
that effect of 20- to 30-year-old slate roofing. A bit of moss on the north side of the
roof would be a nice touch (Photo 7).
7
6
I used Plastruct #91631 shingle sheet
on my roof. Asphalt tabbed shingles,
cedar shakes, or even a ribbed steel roof
would also work for a building of this era.
I’m not sure if the Plastruct shingles are
supposed to be tabbed asphalt or slate.
Given the deep relief, they sure looked
like slate tiles to me, so that’s how I treated them. I began by roofing the dormer. I
glued the plastic roofing to the basswood
with Elmer’s Brush-On Contact Cement.
Elmer’s recommends coating both gluing surfaces with the cement, then waiting two minutes before the pieces are
applied. I followed their directions and
had good results. The thing to remember here is, once you have touched the
underside of the roofing to the basswood
(even lightly), it’s going to be hard to
reposition the roofing, so get it right the
first time. Some people like to slide a
sheet of wax paper between the roof and
basswood so that only a small bit of the
roof is initially contacted as you position
it. This allows some movement to correct
for error.
When the dormer was done, I taped
two sheets of paper together on the roof
so that the sheets straddled the dormer.
I taped the two sheets together over the
dormer to define the angle I had to cut
away from the roofing to clear the dormer. When the two main roof panels
were in place and the contact cement
had cured, I brush-coated the shingles
with a dark gray shade of Floquil, followed by brushing on an acrylic wash
of black. My intent was to highlight the
grooves in the shingles. With an old Tshirt in hand, I wiped away some of the
The chimney is a length of 3/8” x 1/2”
balsa, covered with Holgate and Reynolds brick sheet and topped with 1/8”
basswood sheet to simulate a concrete
cap. I painted my brick dark red, then
over-washed the brick with Delta Ceramcoat acrylic Mudstone, which I wiped off
with the same old T-shirt I used on the
slate shingles. Delta Ceramcoat Mudstone
is the closest thing I’ve ever found to a
true aged concrete and mortar color. To
attach the chimney, I cut a suitable rectangle through the Plastruct shingling and
glued the chimney in place (Photo 8).
This completes the structure itself.
8
Now we need to build some gas
pumps. I found my pumps and a matching poured-concrete pump platform in
the leftover residue of a Walthers gas
station kit. You can also get neat and
well detailed gas pumps from Berkshire
Valley. I made up the gas hoses from 22gauge black wire. The glass domes above
the pumps are 1/8” thick disks carefully
Zona-sawed from Plastruct 3/8” diameter
acrylic rod. Use a miter box to make sure
you get clean right angle cuts. I sanded
the disks smooth, then glued them with
liquid plastic cement to the tops of the
pumps. I painted them red and green
to indicate premium and regular. The
Microscale O Scale Sinclair decal set
has correctly sized logos for the globes.
I shortened the Walthers pump platform
to accommodate just two pumps (Regular
and Premium). The pump decals are from
Walthers and Microscale (Photo 9).
9
My station sign is 6-11/16” tall. Of
course, it could be raised or lowered in
height to suit your own requirements. The
sign doesn’t have to be round. Depending
on your oil company, it could be oval or
even rectangular. My sign is scratchbuilt.
I began by cutting a one-inch diameter
disk from 0.040” styrene sheet. I sanded
and then trimmed the circumference of
the disk with a strip of 0.030” x 0.100”
styrene, gluing the strip in place with
Weld Bond plastic glue as I went along. I
used a fine brush to flow the glue into the
joint. Next, I added two additional shorter staggered lengths of 0.030” x 0.100”
styrene strip to the bottom of the sign disk
where the post would connect. The sign
light reflectors are from Grandt Line, and
connected to formed 0.030” brass wire.
I drilled a 0.062” hole into the bottom of
the sign to accept the post.
The signpost itself is made up of 1/8”
diameter styrene tubing and a length of
0.072” diameter brass rod. The brass rod
runs through the tubing to both stiffen
the soft styrene post and afford a way to
attach the post to the sign disk and to the
pump platform. The brass rod extends
3/32” above the styrene tubing at the
top of the post. The exposed brass rod is
glued into the hole at the bottom of the
sign with slow setting CA glue. At the
bottom end of the post, the rod extends
to whatever length you need at the base
to securely anchor the brass rod to the
pump platform. The styrene tubing is
accordingly trimmed away. I added a 3/4”
sleeve of 3/16” tubing to the bottom end
of the post to give it a heftier look (Photo
10).
10
I cut a base for my station from 1/8”
thick Masonite, which I painted concrete
with that ubiquitous Delta Ceramcoat
Mudstone acrylic. Adding some tires, oil
drums and other clutter around the station, plus a figure or two, completed the
project. Now where in the heck are those
customers I expected? Geez, maybe I
need to do some advertising!
u
(Tom, call Jeb -Ed.)
Bill of Materials
Northeastern Lumber Basswood
1/8” Scribed 1/16” Thick Sheet
1/32” Sheet
1/8” Square Strip
132” x 1/16” Strip
1/32” x 1/8” Strip
Plastruct
Brick sheet
91631 Shingle Sheet
AR12 3/8” Diameter Acrylic Rod
Evergreen Styrene
1/8” Diameter Styrene Tube
0.030” x 0.100 Styrene Strip
3/16” Styrene Tube
0.040” Styrene Sheet
Grandt Line
3602 Five-panel Door (2)
3720 Windows (10)
2 Windows (2)
3510 Outdoor Lights (2)
Miscellaneous
0.072” K & S Brass Rod
0.030” K & S Brass Wire
Walthers or Berkshire Valley Gas
Pumps
Microscale 87-969 Sinclair Decal Set
Microscale 48-552 Sinclair Decal Set
Irish Tracklayer
COMING SOON!
Etched rail anchors: Price TBA
Searchlight Signal Kit: $80
Signal assembled: Price TBA
Semaphore Signal to follow
Check our website for many brass
steam and Diesel castings.
WWW.IRISHTRACKLAYER.COM
2682 West Palo Alto Ave
Fresno, CA 93711
Stevenson Preservation Lines
O Gauge Kits and Parts from past
Master Modelers
Catalog 2005 Price: $3.00
Baldwin Model Locomotive Works
Lobaugh
Adams & Sons
Lenoir
Kansas City Kit
Hines Lines
Alexander
Pearce Tool Co.
Bob Stevenson, 2326 230th St. Boone, IA 50036
7 1/2
1/8
BASSWOOD
5/16 BEVEL
4 /
13 16
ROOF - MAKE 2
1/8 BASS SHT.
BEVEL
ALL DIMENSIONS ARE IN INCHES
u
NOT TO SCALE
SIDES 1/16 SCRIBED BASSWOOD
3720 GRANDT WINDOW OPENINGS
3/4 x 1 15/32
1/8 SQR.
CORNER
TRIM
3 /
1 4
1/32 x 1/8 TRIM
1/32 x 1/8 TRIM
6 3/4
3602 GRANDT DOOR
OPENING 23/32 x 1 11/16
1/32 SHT.
TRIM
1/16
SCRIBED
BASS
DOOR
OPENING
1/32 x 1/16 TRIM
1/16 SCRIBED
BASSWOOD
NOTE
BEVEL
3 3/4
GAS STATION
u
DRAWING
BY
TOM HOULE
2 GRANDT
LINE WINDOW
15/32 x 5/8
OPENING
2 1/4
CORNER
DETAIL
3 3/4
Railroad Collectibles
[]]]]\
2-Rail STEAM
MTH 2-Rail Locomotives
ATSF Northern
CNJ Blue Comet
CNW Streamlined Hudson
C&O Greenbrier
C&O Steam Turbine
NKP Berkshire
PRR T-1 #6110
N&W Class A 2-6-6-4
SP
AC-6 Cab Fwd
SP
4-8-4 Daylight
UP Big Boy 4-8-8-4
UP Gas Turbine 3 units
$1150
$1200
$900
$975
$1100
$1100
$1200
$1150
$975
$1250
$1350
$850
Weaver 2-Rail Brass
PRR K4 F/P Early
$1100
PRR K4 C/P ’35-’41 scheme
$1400
PRR K4 C/P ’42-’57 scheme
$1400
PRR L1 F/P
$950
RDG G1sas Crusader #117 or #118 $1200
RDG Crusader 5-car passenger set as-built $750
RDG Crusader 5-car set with corrected glazing
and shades
$950
Other 2-Rail BRASS
USH PRR K4 C/P Full Striping
USH NYC Dreyfus Hudson
custom ptd first scheme
OMI MILW 4-4-2 Hiawatha C/P #1
PSC SOU Ps4 F/P Cresc Ltd. #1393
WMS L5 Rdg Camelback C/P
WMS SP Daylight 4-8-4 F/P
$1650
$1850
$1750
$2500
$750
$1100
2-Rail DIESEL
GN SW8 Grn/Orng
PRR Centipedes
ATSF F3 Warbonnet paint
C&O F3 A-B-A
Alaska F3 A-B-A T&P GP9
$350
$1250
$500
$550
$550
$325
3-Rail Scale Steam
LIONEL
NH Custom R1 4-8-2 w/Elesco Final Paint
Sou Ts-1 4-8-2 detailed
N&W Class A 2-6-6-4 NIB
NYC Custom J1e Scullin disc PT Tndr
$1250
$1000
$1000
$1400
Weaver
PRR Std K-4 F/P
PRR K-4 C/P Early Low Tdr Striping
PRR K-4 C/P 36-41 Condensed Ltr
PRR K-4 C/P 41-47 Expanded Ltr
PRR K-4 C/P 47-57 Modern Solid Pilot PRR A-5 0-4-0 F/P
RDG G-1 4-6-2
RDG G-1sas Crusader
RDG Matching Crusader Cars
SAL C/P USRA 0-6-0 Sound
SOU C/P 4-8-2 Grn Stripes B&O C/P T-3 W/Vandy Sound Smoke
WM H-7 C/P Dull Alt #
C&O 2-8-0 C/P Dull
UP ’49er S/L 4-6-2
$950
$1450
$1250
$1250
$1350
$800
$850
$1100
$600
$750
$1500
$1750
$750
$750
$1100
Atlas
MTH
MTH
MTH
MTH
MTH
Williams
RDG L5 Camelback C/P
$750
PRR E-6 C/P Late #6513
PRR E-6 C/P PRSL
PRR B-6 C/P Dull #5244
PRR L-1 C/P Dull Dg’ Tdr #714
PRR L-1 C/P West Tdr #7345
PRR K-4 Custom Modern #646
Sound Smoke
SOU Ps-4 Custom w/Elesco system
Green w/Stripes #6689
N&W Class A 2-6-6-4 Detailed
N&W J 4-8-4 C/P #600 “dull”
B&A Custom 4-6-4, brass, upgraded
$950
$950
$750
$950
$1100
$1250
$1250
$1350
$650
$750
Westside Brass
RF&P Custom Governor 3-Rail Conversion
Sound Smoke Stripes Logo Etc. $2750
Sunset/3rd Rail
PRR H-6 C/P Late Scheme
$975
PRR H-6 C/P PRSL #6016
$1075
PRR E-6 F/P Sound
$1150
PRR P5a Mod Electric
$950
SP
4-4-2 Std
$1000
SP
4-4-2 F/P Daylight
$1150
UP 4-4-2 F/P
$1050
PRR Turbine – Upgraded
$1000
UP Big Boy W/ Sound
$1950
ATSF Northern
$1200
GN S-2 4-8-4 Glacier
$1200
Sou Custom 4-8-2 Grn w/stripes, Weaver
motor and chassis, #6693
$1650
MTH
RF&P 2-8-4 Custom Modified W/Striping
ACL 4-8-4 Custom Mod 8-Wheel
Tender #1801
C&O 4-8-4 Greenbrier
C&O Custom Greenbrier Early #605
DM&IR Yellowstone
N&W Class A Custom #1216 Correct
& Detailed
N&W Streamlined J 4-8-4
NYC Dreyfus Hudson
UP Northern #8444
PRR T-1 Duplex #6110
CNW S/L Hudson
ACL Custom 4-6-2
ERIE Custom Superdetailed K-5
w/Vandy Tdr
RDG I-10 2-8-0
PRR Custom G-5 #5720 W/Brass Tdr
PRR K-4 Modified As K-3 C/P #9999
$1450
$1650
$975
$1250
$1650
$1500
$1100
$975
$1250
$1250
$800
$750
$1650
$975
$1100
$1000
3-Rail Scale Electric
Atlas
SEPTA AEM-7
$299
Weaver
PRR GG1-Tuscan 1 Stripe
PRR GG1-Silver
$850
$850
Williams
PRR GG1-Bruns 5 C/P dull
PRR GG1-Tuscan 5 C/P dull
PRR GG1- Tuscan dummy
$475
$475
$200
Sunset
PRR P5A modified-sound
$800
Lionel
DL&WMU pwd & dummey
DL&WMU combine/coach dum
L.I.R.R.custom pwd dum-Tuscan
$650
$550
$900
MTH
MILW Bipolar
NH E3B
NH EP-3-M’Ginnis
PRR GG1-Tuscan 5
ConRl GG1 Blue
$775
$700
$875
$675
$700
K-Line
NH EP5
RDG MU 70' TT green pwr/dum
RDG MU 70' Blue/Wht pwr/dum
PRSL MU 60' Tuscan w/poles
$350
$375
$425
$400
3-Rail Scale Diesel
Atlas
GN SW8 Green/Orange
AMTKDASH 8 #509
C&O RS-1
N&W SD-35
UP SW-9
$325
$395
$375
$375
$350
MTH
Alaska F-3 A-B-A
$550
ATSF F-3 A-B-A
$700
C&O F-3 A-B-A
$650
RI
F-3 A-B-B-A
$800
B&O E-6 A-B custom fixed closed pilot $750
B&O E-8 A-B-A
$650
NYC E-8 A-A custom l/s
$700
PRR E-8 A-A custom Bruns 5 Stripe
$700
PRR E-8 A-A custom Tuscan 5 Stripe $700
SAL E-8 A-B-A Citrus Scheme
$650
ATSF DL-109A/B custom fixed closed pilot $650
MILW DL-109
$300
NH DL-109/110-Custom pilot scale cplr $650
SOU DL109/110-cust. ptd fixed pilot $700
PRR Centipedes-5 Stripe
$1000
RDG GP7 cust pt 1st scheme #600
$475
RDG GP7 cust. pt no dynam. #660
$525
RDG Trainmaster 1st scheme #860
$550
RDG S-2 1st scheme
$325
PRSL AS-616 custom #6000
$475
C&NW DASH 9
$275
GM&O GP-38
$300
FEC BL-2
$350
RI
E-8 A-B-A
$695
Weaver
B&O VO 1000
B&O E8 AA
C&O RS-3
C&O RSD5
C&O GP-38
UP E-8 AA
$199
$375
$250
$250
$275
$375
Williams
Custom E7 Diesels - All with fixed pilots, scale
lead couplers and diaphragms.
ACL AB
$550
B&M A unit
$300
CB&QAB
$550
L&N AA
$450
Sou AA Custom Painted
$650
Railroad Collectibles, 86 W. Johnson St., Philadelphia, PA 19144
Voice: 215-438-4330 • Fax: 215-438-7322 • Email:[email protected]
Eagle’s Nest
Miniatures
Brass Work — 4 week
delivery possible*
Paint Work — 2 week
delivery possible*
• Custom Painting • Brass Detail Upgrading •
• DCC Installation • Repowering •
• Sound Systems •
Japanese Quality by an American Craftsman
Eagle’s Nest Minatures
Harry A. Hieke, Jr.
[email protected]
856-625-5506
*Ask about our premium payment plan!
Jim Hackworth
Buy⁄Sell⁄Trade
MODEL TRAINS
(and Subsidiary JH Consulting)
2631 Edgevale Road, Columbus OH 43221-1113
Phone: 614-4514517 Fax: 6144514557
Email: [email protected] • Web: www.jhmtrains.com
WSM PRR Q2, 4-4-6-4, N/P, OB, Excellent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1,950.00
WSM PRR J1a, 2-10-4, C/P, OB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1,650.00
USH NKP 2-8-4, C/P or N/P OB, ea. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1,250.00
Weaver Brass WP GS64 4-8-4, F/P, LN, OB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $795.00
USH C&O 2-8-4, C/P, Runs good, OB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1,275.00
MG NYC J1e, 4-6-4, Nice, N/P, NOB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1,175.00
PSC #16145 PRR B6sb 0-6-0, C/P, OB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1,250.00
USH PRR M1a, 4-8-2, C/P, OB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1,275.00
PSC #17107-1 Crown Heisler, New OB (#4 of 11) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1,795.00
MG B&O 2-8-8-4, C/P, NOB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $2,250.00
MG PRR N1 2-10-2, N/P, OB, Mint . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1,550.00
MG PRR E6 4-4-2, N/P, NOB, Can Motor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1,075.00
Weaver Streamlined PRR K4, F/P, LN, OB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $895.00
USH NYC H10, 2-8-2, Mint, N/P, OB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1,375.00
USH PRR K4 4-6-2, C/P, NOB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $750.00
CB PRR T1 4-4-4-4, C/P LN OB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1,995.00
USH NYC L4b, 4-8-2, Mint, OB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1,250.00
OM BNSF C44-9W, F/P LN OB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1,875.00
OM BNSF SD70MAC, F/P, OB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1,875.00
MG NYC J3a, can motor, C/P, NOB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1,395.00
GEM Rdg 0-6-0 Camelback, Ptd, not ltd, OB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $700.00
IHM 42T Climax TCW Tks, F/P NOB, test run . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $800.00
Layaway Available
Consignments
USH ATSF 4-8-4, C/P, Wtd, NOB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1,595.00
OM PRR PAPBPA Set, Late Run, F/P, New . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $3,990.00
MG PRR N5 Caboose, N/P, OB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $250.00
GEM PRR A5 0-4-0, runs good, C/P, OB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $625.00
SS N&W J 4-8-4 Rebuilt w/Sound, C/P, OB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1,500.00
Yoder GE 44T, F/P, Not Ltd, New OB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $299.00
OM #0133 Gilpin Shay, F/P, New, OB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1,200.00
OM ATSF Erie Built “B” Unit, F/P, New . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $899.00
OM UP Alco PAPB F/P, LN, NOB, late run . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $2,395.00
PSC C&O 50’ Express Car, F/P Tri-color, New, OB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $339.00
PRB 50' Airslide F/P BN, New, OB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $295.00
PRB 40' Airslide F/P BN, New, OB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $295.00
PSC #16145 PRR B6sb, C/P, OB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1,250.00
PSC PRR N6b, OS Cupola, N/P, OB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $295.00
PRB Sealand Gunderson D. Stack, set, LN, OB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1,495.00
PRB Thrall TTX D. Stack, set, F/P, LN. OB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$1,495.00
PRB BN Gunderson D. Stack, set, LN, OB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1,495.00
PRB #4712D CRR Caboose (ATSF Style), LN, OB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $295.00
MG PRR N8 Caboose, N/P, NOB. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $250.00
Alco PRR N6a, C/P or N/P, each . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $225.00
SEND LSASE FOR LARGE LIST OF MG/USH KTM ITEMS
LSASE for Complete List
Shipping 6% - $6.00 Min., $12.00 Max
Ohio Residents Add 6.75% Sales Tax
Estates⁄Liquidations
Collection Reductions
Nos. 16001-18500
O SCALE/PROTO 48 • Kit #124/124-P … $49.95
• Based on 1917 prototype built
by Mt. Vernon Car Co.
• Double sheath with Dreadnought ends
• Steel underframe
• Andrews trucks
• Kit includes couplers and decals
Also available –
SACRAMENTO NORTHERN
Boxcar Nos. 2301-2350
Kit #125/125-P … $49.95
� Coming soon – SP Sugar Beet Gondola
Subscribe to
O Scale Trains Magazine
Subscription Rates: 6 issues
US - Standard Mail Delivery US$35
US - First Class Delivery (1 year only) US$45
Canada/Mexico US$55
Overseas US$80
Visa, MC, AMEX & Discover accepted
OScaleTrains_06-06_Halfpage.qxp 3/8/2006 11:46 AM Page 1
Call 610-363-7117 duringEastern time business hours
more
CHOICES,
more
FEATURES, moreVALUE.
The latest M.T.H. catalog has now
arrived at your local M.T.H. Authorized
Retailer, filled with an array of choices
sure to appeal to any O scale model
railroader. Featuring, among other
things, an all-new Western Maryland
Challenger steam locomotive and new
releases of past favorites, this may be
one of our greatest catalogs ever.
If you haven't taken a look at M.T.H. in a
while, you might be surprised to learn
that our many of our products are now
designed to operate on 2-rail track.
Unlike traditional 2-rail models though,
our locomotives include digital sound
and an array of features unmatched by
other 2-rail manufacturers including …
•Superior operating smoke
•Superior patented locomotive speed
control that really works in
conventional or command mode
•Operating remotely controlled
Proto-Couplers™ that really work in
conventional or command mode
•Unique digital sound features
including squeaking brakes, Doppler,
train wreck, clickty-clack and
much more
•Unsurpassed value in conventional or
command operation
See The Latest
Offerings In
M.T.H.'s Newest
Catalog
Find your Nearest Dealer at
© 2006 M.T.H. Electric Trains
www.mthtrains.com
PULLMAN HEAVYWEIGHT SLEEPERS
Pullman made hundreds of 12-1 sleepers that
Full 81’ 10” Length. ALL NEW TOOLING
Designed to match color and style of
GGD Heavyweight Coaches and P70s.
For the perfect consist.
were on virtually every railroad.
Golden Gate Depot is producing These 12-1
Sleepers in ABS Plastic, in Pullman Green and a
Variety of other roads for your enjoyment. These
Sleepers have the best interior detail of any car
in this class. The underbody detail is only
matched by brass models. The trucks are tried
and true, sprung with machined metal wheels
that are nickel plated. Other companies use
cheap powdered metal wheels and plastic
underbody. This baby has a metal chassis and
sprung die cast trucks. Look no further for a the
best Sleeper money can buy.
Available in January 2007 for $99.95 per Car.
Full Interiors with many figures per car.
Overhead constant voltage lighting. Sprung
Detailed Trucks, machined, nickel plated wheel.
Golden Gate Depot
“Little People” Seated Figures for O Scale
Highly Detailed, Variety of Painted Men and Women
Package of 40 Seated Figures for only $29.95
Coming November 2006
www.goldengatedepot.com / FAX: (408) 904-5849
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NEWS: Small Industries, See below for pricing
B.T.S., P O Box 856, Elkins WV 26241
304-637-4510 • www.btsrr.com
East End Grocery #17226, MSRP: $89.95
The small grocery store helped rural America change from
a farming community to an industrial center. The grocery store
stepped in and conveniently provided folks with the dry goods,
vegetables, and meat products needed to sustain life. This kit
consists of laser-cut basswood, plywood, and cardstock, adhesive-backed shingles, signs, and basic interior components
including counter, wood shelving, pumpkins, watermelons,
grocer, and assorted boxes and barrels. The tabbed, well-engineered construction provides easy assembly. The footprint is
about 18’ x 34’.
LCL Ramp, #17509, MSRP: $22.95
Many small industries need rail service, yet cannot afford
to have their own spur, or do not receive enough for a full car
load. LCL (Less-Car-Load) shipments are common, and a loading dock is often needed to help with material handling. This
kit consists of laser-cut basswood and plywood, detail castings, and very easy assembly. The footprint of the ramp is 12’
x 31’.
NEWS: 2005 Model Railroading Magazine
(Vol. 35, Nos. 1-10) on CD
Retail $39.95; Introductory Price $29.95 (through October 31, 2006). $4.25 for S&H per order.
Highlands Station, Inc., 2600 S. Parker Rd., Suite. 1-211, Aurora, CO 80014
888-338-1700 • www.MRGmag.com
Highlands Station has released their first-ever CD volume of Model Railroading magazine. The CD
contains all ten of the 2005 issues in PDF form (no issues were published for January or February). Issues
are complete and include all editorial and advertising material. Editorial material is fully searchable using
Adobe Reader® (Ver 5.0 or later required). Users can easily navigate through this electronic version of
MRG by using hyperlinks to go to the first page of an article by clicking on its title on either the cover or the table of contents of
an issue. To go to a specific ad just click on the advertiser’s name in the Advertiser Index. Adobe Reader’s® commands can be
used to search for words or phrases, to zoom in for better viewing and to quickly navigate throughout the entire year of issues.
Purchasers may print pages for their personal use, but duplication of the CD is prohibited, and no materials may be extracted,
copied or shared with a third party, either in a printed or electronic version. For best results they recommend downloading the
latest free version of Adobe Reader® from the Adobe® website.
NEWS: Transfer Table, Ross Custom Switches, MSRP: from
$749.95 and up
Ross Custom Switches, 45 Church Street, Norwich, CT 06360
1-800-331-1395 • www.rossswitches.com
Steve Brenneisen announces that Ross Custom Switches
has begun shipping their lastest product: a fully automatic
and indexed transfer table. Currently available with an 18”
bridge it is available with 5, 10 and 15 stops. Future plans call
for a 27” bridge and a 33” bridge which will also give customers the option of having 5, 10, or 15 stops.
Ross Custom Switches is famous for its high-quality Ogauge turnouts which it has been producing since 1972.
Today RCS produces over 45 different turnouts, crossings,
and 18 different sizes of track. Primarily a manufacturer for
the 3-Rail and HiRail customer, Ross is happy to announce
that these new transfer tables can be easily converted to
2-Rail. Watch for more exciting new products soon to be
released for HiRailers and O Scalers alike.
NEWS: AAA Precision Turntables
141 Summer Street, Plantsville, CT 06479
860-621-6816 • www.aaaturntables.com
AAA Precision Turntables, a division of National Magnetic Sensors, Inc., is pleased to offer precision turntables
for all scales from Z to G. The custom made turntables are
machined to rigid specifications and are precision-crafted to
last a lifetime. The tables feature twin bridge-mounted drive
motors that move the bridge at a slow, smooth speed and
AAA’s EZ DEX indexing system which utilizes an infra-red
sensor allowing for perfect indexing and alignment with every
turn. National Magnetic Sensors Inc., the parent company,
has over 35 years of engineering excellence with its product
lines that service NASA, GE, Westinghouse and a host of
others. With that background and capability, AAA intends to
become the premier turntable manufacturer and set the standard for quality and realistic operation. AAA’s turntables are
made by model railroaders with pride in the U.S.A. Contact:
Mr. Bob Badoorian, President.
REVIEW: Alco Century 628 Diesel, MSRP $439.95 (2-Rail DCC
Ready), $479.95 (3-Rail TMCC), or $229.95 (Unpowered, both
2- and 3-Rail).
Atlas-O, 378 Florence Avenue, Hillside, NJ 07205
www.atlaso.com
reviewed by Brian Scace
Oh, I remember these things! Back when I was going to
school in Upstate New York, the Alco C628s were not the
most common units to see, but there were four groups of them
that weren’t too hard to find. Of course, the Delaware & Hudson roster of handsome grey, blue, and yellow units could be
found just by heading south to Binghamton, or east toward
Albany. Lehigh Valley had two groups, the original “Snowbirds” and the ex-Monon units painted in Cornell Red. They
could be seen from time to time on the line through Geneva.
Finally, the ex-Pennsy units would get out on the main from
time to time, passing through Syracuse paired up with the later
C630s and C636s. They made the more common SD40s and
SD45s look small; these were long units for their day. I was a
confirmed Alco-phile then, learned to respect them when I
worked with ‘em, and I still like them today.
The C628 was one of the early players in the mid-60s
horsepower race between Alco, GE, and EMD. This was the
era that saw horsepower jump from a pretty standard 450HP/
axle up to 600HP/axle, and is usually associated with the
coming of the second generation of Diesel locomotives in the
US. It was a highly competitive period; no sooner than GE
introduced a 2500HP catalog model, then EMD would match
it, Alco would best it, and GE would top that. In an interval
of two years, it wasn’t uncommon for a builder to completely
junk its catalog and issue an entirely new line, just to do it
again two years after that. This was also the time when the sixaxle unit became accepted as true road power, rather than the
specialized drag engine it had been.
Atlas has a nice model, here. The model scales out nicely
(Don’t use Alco general arrangement drawings as a reference;
they are notorious!) using class book dimensions. By the way,
although not really detailed enough to build models from,
railroad classification books are a great reference for checking
basic dimensions. The various dimensions given, because the
operating and engineering folks depended on the class book
for their work, are pretty reliable for units as they actually
existed on the property.
Anyway, fit, finish, and detailing level are all up to Atlas’
standards, with one exception. We received one of the LV
“Snowbirds” for review. This is a difficult scheme to pad-print.
The black lettering has to be thick enough to go on the white
carbody in one swat and come out opaque. On the other
hand, thick isn’t very forgiving about flow into crevasses and
reliefs. Such is the case here. The printing doesn’t fill into all
the contours on the hood sides, such as in the door post areas.
Spend a few minutes with a good brush and some Scalecoat to
fix it up.
In operation, the performance of our 2-Rail DC version
was, again, as expected from Atlas. The unit MU’s well with
it’s older brethren, pulls nicely, and behaves like any other of
the recent Atlas twin-motor vertical drive power. Behavior is
best using a relatively sophisticated throttle, such as an MRC
Controlmaster. Marno-stats or Variacs won’t control these guys
very well.
And what’s this?! The Scace-switch is finally a reality? For
those of you recently joining the faithful followers of Scace’s
tiltings-at-windmills, one of my all time pet peeves about the
modern crop of “cross-cultural” (meaning intended for both
the three- and two-rail marketplace) offerings are the class
lights. Everyone loves those pretty green class lights. I’ve been
pushing for a switch somewhere on the two-rail DC versions of
Diesel models, such that the green (Green classification lights
showing indicate that another section of this scheduled train
is following this one.) can be switched to white (White class
lights indicate that the train is an “extra”, not a scheduled train.)
Finally, someone has listened and delivered. All you do is pop
off the radiator louvers, flip the switch, and the class lights
change color. No more green for us non-carrier control Ludite
neurotics! Now, who is going to be the first to have a Scaceswitch that turns off the class lights on steam power? Atlas has
thrown down the gauntlet! Thanks, Jim. I needed that.
All in all, a nice model of an impressive prototype. This
time ‘round, they’re in Phase 1 configuration lettered in SP,
Atlantic Coast Line, Lehigh Valley, Delaware & Hudson, and
Louisville & Nashville. It’s also very nice to see that someone is
listening to suggestions (I didn’t whine. They were just, well...
suggestions.) and putting them to good use.
Atlas has also announced a new model of the C-630 similarly equipped and priced. Roadnames include Conrail, PRR,
Reading and UP, all with two road number choices, and an
undecorated unit as well.
REVIEW: “ Trainman” EMD GP15-1 & T
2-Rail/3-Rail
MSRP $ 239.95
3-Rail TMCC
MSRP $ 389.95
“Master” Coalveyor Bathtub Gondola
2-Rail
MSRP $ 64.95
3-Rail
MSRP $ 59.95
New “ Double Rotary End Version”
2-Rail
MSRP $ 69.95
3-Rail
MSRP $ 64.95
Atlas O, LLC, 378 Florence Avenue, Hillside, NJ 07205
www.atlaso.com
Reviewed by Gene Clemens
This being my first review, let’s start with a little history on
this locomotive and transition to a modeler’s evaluation.
The Prototype
Produced by General Motors’ Electro-Motive Division
(EMD) during the latter part of the 1970s, the GP15 is actually
a road unit version of the MP15, having a larger fuel tank and
the typical road body and cab configuration. Most railroads,
including the Frisco, ordered these units to replace older GP7s
and GP9s that were being retired. I remember the last of these
locomotives being delivered to the Frisco painted in Frisco
colors with black BN initials and numbers under the cab windows. Working these engines in times past, they were usually
assigned to road-switchers, local freight service, and sometimes yard transfer service.
The Model
The GP15-1 model being reviewed is Atlas O item # 03551, painted for the Norfolk Southern with road number 1409.
Other roadnames available include Conrail and Union Pacific,
as well as a Chessie System GP15-T. The main difference
between the two versions is that the GP15-T is equipped with
dynamic brakes, while the GP15-1 is not. Produced as a conventional DC locomotive, the unit can be upgraded to DCC
operation by using the included NMRA decoder plug and
instruction sheet supplied. The owner provides the decoder of
choice and performs the installation. Since this unit is available
in 3-Rail TMCC from the factory, installation of 2-Rail TMCC
by the owner should not be a problem.
This loco being the first Trainman engine on the property,
I was not sure of what to expect. Some, not all, of the factory
added details we have come to expect from the (now) Master
line were in place. Installed details include grabirons, pilot
plows, horn, bell, lift-levers, and brake cylinders with air lines
on the nicely done truck sideframes.
The detail cast into the molded body is clean and well
done, especially the see-through radiator grills. The paintwork
and lettering is as sharp as anything previously released by
Atlas. The unit comes equipped with the Atlas brand of scale
couplers, which check out at the correct height on the Kadee
coupler gage.
Performance
The GP15 was ran in multiple unit sets with various other
DC engines on the layout including Atlas, Weaver, U.S. Hobbies, C.L.W. and a converted Williams unit. I observed no
problems with m.u. operations. On it’s own, the GP-15 was a
bit “jerky” at crawl speed. In all fairness, this engine was run
straight out of the box. Once it has
a chance to break-in, this should
improve. Medium range speed was
smooth and quiet. Top end speed
is high, but this is common with
other engines with similar drive
systems. This engine is lighter than
the Master line units, weighing in
at approximately four pounds, one
reason being the use of a stamped
sheet metal frame instead of a cast
metal deck. The twin vertical motors
and truck assemblies appear to be
the same as used in previous models. The engine produced a traction
effort of 1-1/2 pounds prior to wheel
slip which, on my layout, translates
into 18 weighted cars on level track,
and ten cars on the 2% plus grades.
Headlights on this engine are
single yellowish-tint LED’s. They
illuminate at the starting voltage
and remain constant throughout the
operating range. Also included are
Red LED classification lights that
illuminate to the rear according to direction of travel.
The minimum radius rating of this engine, according to
Atlas, is 36 inches. The tightest I could do here are 42-inch
radius curves and #5 turnouts in the industrial areas. Negotiating 60” mainline curves with #6 and #8 turnouts presented no
problem for the GP15.
Summary
Straight out of the box, a good rating and price for a 1980s
through the current era general purpose locomotive. I would
consider one for my layout, with the intent of adding aftermarket detail parts, a command and sound system, custom
paint and lettering for one of my favorite prototypes. My only
negatives with this engine were the cast on details, such as the
lift rings on the long hood, the pilot’s m.u.hoses and the windshield wipers cast into the window glass. My preference would
be an unobstructed area to add aftermarket parts to bring the
unit up to the detail level of the Master line engines.
The Latest Coalveyor
The Coalveyor was originally reviewed in OST #20, May/
June 2005, so we will not repeat the technical data. The
Review: Track and Signal Components, Contact for Pricing,
Irish Tracklayer, 2682 W. Palo Alto Avenue, Fresno, CA 93771,
559-435-2814 • www.irishtracklayer.com
Reviewed by Brian Scace
John Houlihan, at Irish Tracklayer, sent us all kinds of neat
castings and etchings to peruse. First, let’s look at some of
the signal kits he’s working on. The photo of the brass castings and etchings shows the components of one of the signal
kits he offers, in this case a Union Switch and Signal H-series
target signal. Components consist of several clean lost-wax
brass castings, tubing for the mast, and etchings for the flat
components such as the target and ladders. The etchings are
undercut for easy part removal, and the assembly is pretty
straightforward, with extra parts for your choice of ladder, target, and platform configurations. These signals are engineered
for LED’s, and can be ordered as a kit or pre-assembled.
He’s working on an upper-quadrant semaphore as you read
Coalveyor model being reviewed is Atlas O # 9611. This is the
new version for the double rotary-coupler car painted and lettered for Iowa Southern Utilities # 1. This car is also offered as
Nebraska Public Power, with two road numbers available for
each company.
A very impressive ready-to-run model, the Atlas quality of
detail, paintwork and lettering is evident on this car. The difference in this model and the standard Coalveyor is that both
the A and B ends of the car are painted and designated to have
rotary couplers as does the prototype. Complimenting the car
are 36” wheels in roller-bearing trucks with rotating bearing
caps, a nice detail. Standard Atlas scale couplers are mounted
which DO NOT rotate. The three-rail version is shown to have
one rotating coupler.
Couple a string of these cars behind a multiple engine
consist, add a caboose or F.R.E.D. (depending on the era you
model from the 1980s until present time), to model of one
of the unit coal trains that service the coal fired steam plants
located across this country. Removing the simulated load creates an empty unit train headed back to the mine for loading.
this, with an operating mechanism. Currently, the signal kits
will run in the $80 range, and assembled signals will run in the
$120-150 range. Contact
Irish Tracklayer for specific
pricing.
Also shown in the photo
(the one with all the parts)
is a sheet of rail anchors.
These are very clever,
as they slide under the
rail for solid installation.
Also included in the sheet
are several rail anchors
designed to leave lying
around in little piles of unneatness next to your trackage to trip up the railfans.
By the way, rail anchors
aren’t as modern as you
might think. I looked in the
Railway Engineering and
Maintenance Cyclopedia
for 1939 and, sure enough,
you steam guys can use
these, too. They were
called “anti-creepers” then,
but they’re the same critter.
It’s good to see more
choices available for the
track modeler (O Scale
tends to attract them!),
and these components are
worth a look.
PRODUCT REVIEW- Radio Control/Battery Control System,
Contact for Pricing
Remote Control Systems of New England, 551 Kuhn Fording Rd,
East Berlin, PA 17316
www.remotecontrolthrottles.com
reviewed by George Eschbach
How’d you like to have a railroad with NO control wiring?
Now it’s possible. All it takes are locomotives equipped with
Remore Control Systems’ (RCS) components consisting of a
Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) battery, a control unit and a
small hand-held controller. No wires to the track and no power
supplies.
Battery chargers (that either come with the units or can be
purchased separately) plug into any wall socket in the house.
The NiMH batteries will last throughout most operating sessions. I ran Weaver FA dummy and FB powered units, pulling
30 freight cars of various origins and weights, around my railroad with its 1-1/2 percent grades for 2 hours and 15 minutes
before it would no longer move. I use a Weaver RS3 equipped
with the RCS unit. It’s great for operating on the same track
and in the same electrical block as conventionally powered
units. I recharge the batteries about once a month.
The NiMH batteries do not develop a memory and come
in various sizes and shapes depending on the space available.
The manufacturer states that the batteries can be recharged at
least 500 times. The batteries in my RS3 fit in the short hood
and the control unit fits in the cab.
The system can include both sound and direction control
Unfortunately, the sound is quite loud and not adjustable, thus
it can be heard 40’ away. I, like our esteemed Editor, would
like to have a Doppler effect so that it arrives just prior to the
locomotive and fades as the loco passes. The sound is a good
representation of EMD (GM) locomotives. Sound for steam
locomotives is also available, although I have not heard it.
The controller (TX8) is small, has four buttons, and is easy
to use. There is one button for forward and one for reverse,
as well as a button for emergency stop (but not so quick so as
to break couplers or cause derailments). There is a button for
use with magnetic couplers, allowing stops directly over the
uncoupling magnet.
Were I starting anew or had a small layout with a half dozen
locomotives instead of nearly two dozen, this is the way I’d
wire the railroad- NO WIRES!
Have you visited the
O Scale Trains Magazine Interactive Forum
at www.oscalemag.com/wordpress/index.php?
Register today and you can communicate directly with OST’s regular columnists:
Publisher, Joe Giannovario; Editor, Brian Scace; Hobo D. HiRailer; Gene Clemens; Bobber Gibbs; Roger
Parker; and Mike Cougill. Leave feedback, make suggestions, build on comments others have left.
Here's a chance to make your voice heard and contribute to OST at the same time. Check it out!
Modelers Shelf
Erie Lackawanna train NY-99 creeps down the yard lead as it eases its merchandise under the Lehigh Valley’s National Docks branch and out of the
EL’s Croxton, NJ, departure yard. Soon, the train will be heading west to Marion, OH, where it will pick up some more loads and depart for its final
destination, St. Paul, MN, and the CB&Q. This shot was provided by Don Smith and taken on his Port Newark Terminal Railroad.
Don McFall was building log flats and, he
says, they cried out for a log loader. So,
he built one and sent us this photo. We’re
expecting articles on both the flats and this
loader.
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Trains Magazine,
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Contact us for orders
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7490 MoPac USRA Steel Rebuilt Box $46.70
7627 Chessie Caboose
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7632 Gt. Northern Caboose
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7680 Pitts. & Lake Erie Caboose
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7743 Mother’s Cocoa 40' Wd Reef
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9103 Merch. Biscuit 40' Wd Reef
$53.50
9122 Harding Butter 40' Wd Reefer $65.95
9154 Oak Grove Butter 40' Wd Reefer $53.50
9159 Mathieson 40' Wood Reefer
$65.95
9311 TH&B DS Wood Box
$45.00
9505 Bar-Bee 40’ Steel Reefer
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9660 Shippers Car Line 8K Tank
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7021/22 #7.5 Turnouts, each
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7024/25 #5 Trunouts, each
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S&H $8.00 for 1 car, $9.00 for 2 cars,
$10.00 for 3 or more cars.
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$68.95 plus $8.00 S&H, comes in two #’s.
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GP40-2
The finest in modern O Scale Brass. 2 or 3-Rail operation. Machined
brass frames and fuel tanks, Pittman motor with dual flywheels. Your
choice of gear ratios, wheelsets, detail parts, etc. Custom built to your
specs. Kits $650 - $800. Custom built, painted and lettered $1100
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Central Locomotive Works
PO Box 1231 • Hesperia CA 92340
ph 760-244-9222 • fax 760-244-9322
e-mail [email protected]
www.centrallocomotiveworks.com
Deichman’s Depot
110 Ivyside Dr, York PA 17402
Ph: 717-755-1108 • Fax: 717-840-9650
[email protected]
www.deichmansdepot.com
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Traction Action
Roger C. Parker
Cultivating the Next Generation of Traction Modelers
Three recent events made me want to step back from my
series of traction terminal columns and address the future of
O Scale trolley modeling.
One was a great photo on the website of the East Penn
Traction Club [www.eastpenn.org]. The photograph, taken
during the 2002 Railroad Days at Cold Spring Village,
showed a youngster enjoying a training session on a simple
loop on Ed Torpey’s Port-a-Pike. The youngster’s obvious joy
while operating the trolley will probably pay big dividends in
coming years, and perhaps spark a lifelong interest in trolley
modeling.
The second was a brief mention in Monday’s USA Today
describing how an O Scale layout that had been on display
at Atlanta’s Hartsfield International Airport was being dismantled.
Both of the above are worthy of note because both events
have the potential of introducing the new blood which is desperately needed to continue the hobby we all enjoy so much.
We all benefit when more people are exposed to model railroading while passing through high-traffic areas in airports.
Seeing the trains in action can spark a memory which will be
recalled, say at Christmas time, giving birth to a new generation of models down the road.
Likewise, who knows what thoughts were going through
the young trolley operator’s mind at the Cold Spring Village
Railroad Days? Perhaps the youngster has already purchased
his first kit, or started picking up model railroading magazines (perhaps this one) at a local hobby shop.
Learning From the Web
Perhaps there is a message in the techniques that Internet
marketers use to measure website effectiveness. Internet marketers strive to increase “conversions” (for example, encouraging casual website visitors to sign up for a free newsletter),
which can lead to the future purchases of the firm’s products
and services.
Successful web marketers realize that the vast majority of
visitors to their website are not going to purchase on the first
visit. Rather, they try to obtain the visitor’s e-mail address in
order to build up a relationship with them in the future.
That’s what Internet marketers do, but what do we do, as
participants, manufacturers, club members, or journalists, in
our area of the great model railroading hobby? Are we doing
our part to attract younger blood hobbyists to the hobby? Do
we make visitors to our public events feel welcome? Do we
attempt to re-contact our younger visitors in the future? Do
we send them postcard invitations to future events? Do publications in our field offer special “welcome to the hobby”
subscription offers? Do we treat those asking “stupid” questions with the respect they deserve?
What Not to Do
The final event came to me as I was writing the above
words. I remembered witnessing an awful incident at a large
public model railroading event in the Northeast. An exhibitor had placed an extremely large, intricately detailed brass
steam locomotive right next to the front edge of his table.
The engine was located about three-quarters of an inch from
the edge of the table, leading to a three-foot drop to the concrete floor.
As I watched, a curious youngster came along and
attempted to touch the engine. The modeler, justifiably concerned about the safety of his engine, impatiently reacted
with a shout not to touch the engine. This was such a traumatic event because the potential tragedy was everybody’s
fault, or nobody’s fault. The child, rightfully, should not have
attempted to touch the engine. Where was his father? Why
wasn’t he better supervised?
But, why did the modeler place the engine in such obvious jeopardy? Where was the modeler’s common sense?
Didn’t he expect a shiny brass engine at near eye-level would
attract curious fingers? Didn’t the group sponsoring the event
describe the importance of keeping valuable engines from
the edge of the table? Most important, however, where was
the “petting zoo” section of the event? Why was the child
walking through the “advanced models” area, instead of
gaining hands-on experience with Brio wooden train models
or getting to know some rugged tinplate models?
And, finally, what role did the “rareness” of model railroad
public events play in encouraging a near-capacity crowd at
the event? Why is there only one yearly model railroad event
in one of the most highly-populated areas of the country,
which creates an atmosphere conductive to inappropriate
behavior on the part of both exhibitors and visitors?
Conclusion
So, here are three examples; one really good, one really
bad, and one that potentially planted seeds of model railroading in the minds of travelers. How are we, as trolley
modeling fans, doing our part to cultivate future modelers?
How are we converting first-time encounters into a nurturing
relationship that will grow tomorrow’s contest-winning traction modelers? As O Scale traction modelers, we have the
ability to display a lot in a limited amount of space. Portable
O Scale loop layouts can be created in very small areas. Are
we taking full advantage of our ability to take our hobby on
the road and introduce it to newcomers? If we don’t cultivate
the next generation, we may be the last generation of traction
modelers!
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THE
WESTERN RESERVE “O” SCALE TRAIN SHOW
CLEVELAND, OHIO
Saturday, November 4, 2006
Admission: $5.00
9:30 am - 2:30 pm
6’ Tables - $35.00
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24 Hr. Police • Public Welcome • Free Parking • 2-rail “O” scale only • Please no other gauges
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Running O-Scale 2-Rail Trains from a 3-Rail Controller
In the Nov/Dec 2005 (#23) and Jan/Feb 2006 (#24) issues
of O Scale Trains, I described the construction of an AC power
supply to use with various command control systems. Basically
it was just a transformer, but in a form safer and sturdier than
the naked transformer that command control systems vendors
sometimes recommend. In the Mar/Apr 2006 (#25) issue, reader
Gordon Hall correctly pointed out that a three-rail power unit,
the Lionel Powerhouse 180, could be used instead. The current
Lionel catalog lists it as 6-22983, for $99.99.
Now, I would like to put the shoe on the other foot. Any 3Rail modelers, who want to convert to 2-Rail (or just try it out)
without also jumping into command control, have a simple job
of providing power for their two-rail layout. Your present variable voltage train controller, such as a Lionel ZW, is plenty powerful; it ran three-rail trains with those smoke units and lighted
passenger cars. However, it generates alternating current (AC),
so it will not work for two-rail direct current (DC) applications
without modification.
Fortunately, it is relatively easy to add a rectifier to turn the
AC into DC, and a reversal switch to exchange the two output
wires (thus reversing the DC polarity and the locomotive direction). When you’re done, the old controller speed lever is still
used to control speed, while the new switch is used to select
direction.
A few additional parts would also be nice. You’ll need a
metal box to protect the wiring and present a neat appearance.
This box will also be a heat sink for the rectifier, and house a
capacitor (to smooth the DC and so reduce the chance of the
locomotive motor buzzing), a circuit breaker to protect against
a short circuit, and input and output connectors or terminal
blocks to ease the hookup. The rectifier will use up about 1.8
volts, which generates nine watts of heat at five amperes of current, about the same heat as an old-style Christmas tree bulb.
The input wires connect to a ZW track output and the output
wires actually connect to the track.
Of course, you also need a two-rail locomotive with insulated wheels and no center rail electrical pickup or E-unit. This is
the standard locomotive arrangement in 2-Rail so you can purchase one from any of several vendors. You could also get one
of the new MTH 2-Rail/3-Rail convertible locomotives, or you
can convert or have converted one of your three-rail locomotives. Joe Foehrkolb, trading as Baldwin Forge and Machine (see
Joe’s ad on page 30), specializes in 3-Rail to 2-Rail conversions.
By the way, your three-rail cars will also need to be changed
to insulated wheels. That’s not so bad, because you want to
change out the oversize three-rail wheels anyway.
The power conversion unit is quite simple and, while I show
one implementation in Photo 1, you should feel free to do it
your way. A rectifier (more properly a bridge rectifier) has four
leads. One is marked “+” for the positive output wire. The one
opposite to this is for the negative output wire and sometimes
marked “– ”. The other two, in between, are leads for the AC
input wires, connected either way. A double-pole/double-throw
toggle switch is used to reverse the output. It has six terminals
for connecting wires, four at the corners and two in the middle.
When the switch is actuated, each middle terminal is connected
to the end (corner) terminal at one end or the other. In this application, the diagonally opposite terminals are connected together
and then to the track outputs. The input wires (from the rectifier
output) are connected to the two middle terminals (Photo 2).
An optional capacitor can be added to smooth out the DC
voltage. It should be sized to withstand a voltage greater than
the maximum that could be applied. A 50V rating is sufficient.
The capacitance value is not critical. 30 microfarads is sufficient. Remember that a capacitor is polarized; the wire marked
“+” should go to the positive lead and the “– ” wire to the negative lead.
Typical Parts List:
1 Ten-ampere Bridge Rectifier (Radio Shack # 276-1185)
1 Ten-ampere Double-pole/Double-throw Toggle Switch
(Radio Shack # 275-709)
1 Box with Metal Top (Radio Shack # 270-1805)
Optional: 30-microfarad (50V or more) Filter Capacitor.
You’ll find circuit breaker and terminal options discussed in
the previous series of articles (in OST #23 and #24).
We’ll close with a final thought. If you used TMCC for your
three-rail layout, you might want to convert directly to two-rail
TMCC. Train America Studios (4137 Boardman-Canfield Road,
Suite LL02, Canfield, Ohio, 44406, (330) 533-7181 [www.scalecommand.com] can provide this conversion for you.
u
1
2
2K6 O Scale Trains
3rd Annual Digital Photo Contest
Steam - 1st Place
Robert Meyer of Ridgway, CO, took this photo on a 3' x 5.5' module built for photo purposes and to test a few
techniques for his future basement layout. The loco is D&RGW C-48 2-8-0 No.1176 (an upgraded PFM model) with a very
short local freight. Robert won an MTH two-rail WM H9 2-8-0 in IC paint.
Steam Honorable
Mention
Ted Doyle,
Humble, TX
2K6 O Scale Trains
Diesel - 1st Place
Dan Rowsell, up in Victoria, B.C., took this photo on a module that is part of a larger layout, the “Cascade Pacific.” Dan
says his group is working on an article about the modular layout. Dan won a Weaver two-rail VO1000 Diesel.
Diesel Honorable Mention
Wade Schlinger, Frankfort, IL
Mike Culham, Toronto, Ontario
2K6 O Scale Trains
Narrow Gauge
1st Place
Bill Davis. Bill
hails from Viola,
AR. He sent this
description of the
scene: “As the sun
sets on Tuphar, the
crew of switcher
#11 complete their
assigned chores
before dinner and a
night’s rest.” Bill won
a Bachmann On30
2-8-0.
Narrow Gauge Honorable Mention
Mark Gardner, Edmond, OK
Paul Staley, Buffalo, NY
Nov/Dec - O Scale Trains • 65
Just TrainsTM Free Shipping over $200 Orders (888) 453-9742 Info (302) 453-0465 www.justrains.com
MTH In-Stock Scale Wheels
MTH Premier Diesels 2 or 3-Rail
MTH 2006 Volume II
Premier Steam 2 or 3 Rail
All engines are built to order . . .
Reserve Now
All engines are built to order . . .
Reserve Now
2-8-0 H-3 Consolidation PRR x 2, LI
2-R $635
0-8-0 USRA Steam
525
Aliq & Sou, Detroit& TSS, Erie, NP, Southern
20-3154-2 NYC 4-4-0 19th Century
$625
4-4-0 American Steam
635
CP, Union Pacific, New York & NE, B&O
4-6-6-4 M-2 Challenger
1275
Western Maryland 2#, B&O, Southern
AC4400cw Diesel 2-R 400 3-R Pwr 385
BNSF, CSX, SP, UP
3-Rail Dummy 142
20-3156-2 PRR 4-4-0 PS 2.0
4-4-2 Atlantic Steam
PRR x2, B&O, LI
635
20-3160-2 PRR 2-10-4 J1a PS 2.0
4-8-4 T-1 Steam
1015
Reading, Blue Mtn & Rdg, Chessie, Allegheny
2-10-0 Decapod Steam PRR 2 Versions
2-R
$635
2-Rail $999
20-3167-2 Union Pacific 4-6-6-4 Challenger $1250
1015
2-8-0 19th Century Steam WM, RG, GN 2-R $635
SD45T-2 Tunnel 2-Rail or 3-Rail Power 385
B&LE, DM&IR, SP, UP
3-Rail Dummy $142
MTH In-Stock Scale Wheels
3-Truck Shay Cass, WM, Weyerhaeuser 2-R $999
4-6-2 P47 Baldwin Pacific Jersey Central Blue,
B&M, GT
809
20-3132 American Freedom T-1 PS 2.0 2-R $999
Weaver Blow-out . . . Instock
NYC Dreyfuss 3 versions 2 or 3-Rail $919
20-3130
3-Rail VO-1000 TMCC, Railsounds, EOB
$249
Reading T-1 PS 2.0
20-3132-2 N&W J-Class PS 2.0
2-R $999 3-R $925
2-Rail $999
Und, Rdg, MR, WP, Erie, NP, RI, NPR, C of GA
P47 Baldwin 4-6-2
JC Green, NPR
20-3231-2 Long Island 2-8-0 H-10 Consolidation 635
2-R $709
Weaver Wartime Gondola w/Die-Cast Trucks
2 or 3-Rail
$25 each or 4/$99 delivered
N&W, NYC, ATSF, MEC, CNJ, LV, NPR, UP, Sou,
L&N, C&O, B&M
Chech Website for latest Specials
20-3150-2 Virginian 0-8-0 PS 2.0 2-R $525
K-Line
2-R Shay PLC, Lack, Undec $499
Jus
Trains
Atlas O Gauge
Trainman
Orders (888) 453-9742
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Third Rail Brass
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B&M R-1, B&O T-4 4-8-2
999
PRR Q-1 4-6-4-4, skirted
1399
C&O Late Allegheny, Ltd No. 1595
PRR N-1 2-10-2 Conventional 800
Reserve Now - TMCC EOB
Burlington Zephyr 4-Unit Set 1195
Mark Twain 4-Unit, TMCC RS 1195
SP AM-2 4-6-6-2, Articulated 1795
PRR K-5 4-6-2, Oversized K-4 1195
GN M-2 2-6-8-0, Articulated 1795
CB&Q M-4 2-10-4³&RORUDGR´1495
CB&Q Caboose
219
SP C-30 Wood Caboose
219
Pre-War, Post-War, TN&O
B&O Q-4b 2-8-2 Heavy Mikado 1195
B&O had 100¶s of these
C&O J-3 Greenbrier, 4-8-4
1095
VA Statesman #600-604, #614
N&W Y-6b 2-8-8-2
1695
PRR O1 Passenger Electric 2-Pk 999
PRR MP54 Electric 499 Dummy 349
NH Comet Streamliner 4-Unit 899
CP T-F³6HONLUN´-10-4
1195
CP K-1a 4-8-´'ULYHUV
1195
NYC J-3 Empire State Hudson 1195
NYC Mercury 3-Car add-on
895
RSD4/5 2R 189 3R TMCC 289
GP-15 Conv. $209
Cmd $299
Chessie, CR, NS, UP
In-Stock 2-Rail Clearance
GP-35 DC 299 BN, Rdg, SP, WM, SA
GP-35 DC 335 GA, PRR, CNW, NPR
GP-35 TMCC 325 BN, SA, NPR, Rdg
Hiawatha FM Erie Built AA DC 549
GP60
2-R DC 325
Dmy 180
Undec, SF, RG, CB, NS, Demo, VT
GP60M 2-R TMCC 399 SF, BNSF
SD-35 2-R DC 299 SP, B&O, CSX, PC
SD-35 2R TMCC Ches, JC, WM, PC
SW 2R DC 269 R&N, BNSF, WP, P&S
RS-1 DC 325 NH, SF, AA, M&E, WT
RS-1 TMCC 350 JC, C&O, NH, AA
Dash 8
DC 350
Dmy 195
BNSF, BC, P&W, SP, GE Demo
Pulpwood Flat C&O, D&H, SF, WM 49
¶$LUVOLGH+RSSHU55
Chessie, EriH*13&&*:%UDFK¶V
PS-/6&RY¶G+RSSHU5
Lionel 2006 Vol II
Cowan UP Big Boy
#4012, 4014, 4023, 4024 Free TMCC II 408E Mustard or Turquoise
MTA R-27 4-Car 575
2-Pk 265
C&O F-19 4-6-2 Pacific
969
C&O Hvywt 4-Pk 355
2-Pk 195
SD40-2 w/TMCC NS, CN
357
SD40-2 Dmy 142 GP30 Dmy 129
GP30 w/TMCC CP, Chessie
329
Alaska GP38-2, TMCC 329 Dmy 135
E7 AA 565 Dmy B 127 Pwr B 249
Union Pacific, New York Central
F7 ABA 735 Pwr B 249 PRR, SF
³%UHDNGRZQ´%-unit F7, E7
229
PS-4 Flatcar w/Trailers 62 2-Pk 123
NP, C&NW, UP
Husky Stack w/Cons 62
2-Pk 123
Coe Rail, SF
2-Pk only CSX, TT
Steel-Side Reefer 49
3-Pk 105
GN, SF, Pepper Packing
¶)ODWFDU UP, CP, PRR, N&W 41
JLC PRR Silver GG-1
775
´$OXPLQXP3DVVHQJHU-Pk 419
PRR Congressional
´6WDWLRQ Sound Diner or 2-Pk 215
Acela Passenger 3-Car Add-on 529
33K Tank 52 CNTX, ACFX, Cal Gas 11103 Southern PS-4 Pacific
859
GLNX, Wanda, ACF Demo
PS-2 Hopper 3-Pk 96 SF, PRR
War Em Hopper 46 B&O, C&O, GA, Lionel Premium Sets - TMCC
L&N, Alton, AA, SF, Wabash PRR 30025 C&O Super Freight
399
40¶6JO6KHDWK%R[6 SP, PRR, JC,
30026 CP Freight, SD90M
445
CNJ, WM, RF&P, AA, Erie, MKT 31747 PRR BB1 Ballast Train
445
¶(YDQV%R[MP, Aloha, UP, BC 31748 SF U28CG Diesel Freight 605
¶$XWR3DUWV CN, UP, C&O, WM 31749 PRR GP30 Coal Train
605
¶36-1 Box 55 WM, PLE, MR Exp 31750 NYC 2-8-2 Hot Box Train 445
Ext. Vision Caboose 55 BN x2, RG, 30025 Chesapeake Super Frt
395
CBQ, DMIR, Ches x 3, SF Merger, 30026 Can.Pacific Diesel Frt
439
Rutland, Soo, GN, IHB, RF&P, CR 30044 Empire Builder Set
2225
Std Cupola Caboose 50 NS, N&W
Korber Models
NE-6 Caboose 60
NH, PLE, Shaw, 304 3-6WDOO5RXQGKRXVH´' 189
M&E, WLE, N&W, NYSW, Conrail 304A Xtra Stall or 304B Extender 45
¶:RRGVLGH %RRWH¶V'HO0DL] 305 Sandhouse, 16 x 6
45
Silver Edge, WP Ice, Atlas, Phenix, 306 Diesel Shed 25 x 11
69
&HQWXU\0HUFKDQW¶V1DVK$57
D'LHVHO6KHG¶([WHQGHU
24
Call us on New Announcements
Fairmont, Donaldson-Bourke
307 3-Stall Trolley Barn 23 x 11 85
¶:RRGside
55
Hormel,
Oscar
Mayer
Golden Gate Depot
307a Trolley Barn Extender
27
Continental, ADM, B&M,Transport
/9:D\QH¶V)HHG%16)5*355
6ZLIW.UH\¶V&XGDK\1.3-DLW, Pluto,
PRR P70 20´&RDFK-Pk 359 Sou. Star, Clicquot, Page, Pearl, Peter Fox, 307b Trolley Barn 3-Stall add-on 65
8# for $699
3-R 16#
Wescott, Crown, Kornblum, Rath, Noack, 315 Grain Silo, 7 x 19 x 22 H
75
'RXEOH6LOR´/[[´+
Columbus, Kahn, A&P, Bight Morning
PRR or LIRR . . Instock
320 3-6WDOO5RXQGKRXVH´'
B70 Baggage, PB70 Combine, & 11K Tank 55 Co. Sou, Hooker, Tank 320A Add-on Stall
45
17K
Tank
60 Dia, Hooker, Stauffer, PPG
BM70 Mail RPO 3-Pk 349
Dbl Sheath 47 CNW, B&M, THB, Rut 905 Blackshear Refrig. Transport 49
Available in 2 or 3-Rail
Assembled Coaling Tower
169
[[´7DOO%URZQRU%ODFN
Heavyweight ´ 4-Pk Coaches 399
B&O, C&O Green, CB&Q Green,
NH Green, CP Red, NP Pine Tree,
GN Empire, SF Green, SP Daylight,
SP Green, UP Yellow, UP 2-T Gray,
NYC Green, N&W, Lehigh Valley
Pullman 12-1 Sleepers 6#
90
Same Roads as Heavyweights
MTH 2006 Volume II
Premier Steam
2 or 3 Rail
0-8-0 USRA Steam
525
Al & Sou, D&TSS, Erie, NP, Sou
4-4-0 American Steam
635
4-6-6-4 M-2 Challenger
1275
CP, UP, NY&NE, B&O
Western Maryland, B&O, Southern
4-4-2 Atlantic Steam
PRR 2 Versions, B&O, LI
635
2-10-0 Decapod Steam PRR x2 1015
4-6-2 P47 Baldwin Pacific
809
JC, B&M, GT
Diesel Locomotives
AC4400cw
2-R 400
3-R 385
BNSF, CSX, SP, UP Dummy 142
SD45T-2 Tunnel
2-R or 3-R 385
B&LE, DM&IR, SP, UP
Transformers
MRC Dual Pure Power 270W 219
MRC Pure Power 135W
Lionel 80Watt 85 Lionel ZW
Williams Universal 150 Watt
MTH Z-4000 375
Z-1000
154
365
99
75
www.justrains.com
70 Ton Hopper 55 Boraxo, E-L, WM
Reserve Now
C-630 Diesel 3-R 415
Dmy 209
CR, PRR, Rdg, UP Alco Demo
Gunderson Twin-Stack Cars
2-Pk 119 3-PK 155 5-Pk 269
BNSF, CSX, Conrail, TTX
¶¶&RQWainers 23
8/179
¶&0$+DSDJ0HG6KLS02/
¶APL, Maersk, OOCL, Sea Land
¶865$*RQGROD55
PRR, C&O, L&N, MC, MP
1923 X-29 Steel Box
3R 52 2R 56
C&O, LNE, NPR, Rdg
CNJ +$4
55 Ton Fishbelly
3R 43 2R 47
WM, CRR NJ, NS, Rdg, ACY, D&H
B&O Fishbelly 4# 2R 52 3R 49
¶,QWHUPRGDO)ODW55
MTH Clearance
$1425 B&O Blue Comet Pass 4-Car Set 999
908 Shanahan Freight
75
912 Roller Bearing Co.
85
915 Quaker Foods 9 x 12
45
921 JLC Manufacturing
65
950 American Flag Co. 14 x 9
65
-RH¶V3LFNOH)DFWRU\[
65
954 Buck Island Canning 8 x 12
49
955 RJK Tool & Die 9 x 14
54
956 James Company 13 x 8 x 9H 49
957 Lewis & Sons Machine 6 x 8 24
958 Mill Works 11 x 7 w/Tower 49
959 Midland Supply 2-Story 8 x 6 32
967 Shoe Co. 7 skylts 20 x 9 x 11 69
968 Jenco Freight Terminal 9 x 11 49
969 Gen Lt & Pwr Office 6x13x12 65
K-Line Clearance
Strasburg Plymouth Switcher
75
Semi-Scale 4-6-2 Steam w/Whistle 95
Erie, FEC, SF, WP, RG, Sou, Tex M, MEC
NYC, Lackawanna
¶3LQHV7UDLOHUV 4-6-2 PRR Steam w/Sound
125
BN, CC&P, FEC, RG, Seabd System
Erie Lack DC Gondola w/Crane 45
W.MD Fireball Plymouth Set
95
Atlas Track
3-Stall RoundhouVH´/
165 Amtrak F40PH TMCC,RS $275
´0RWRUL]HG7XUQWDEOH 139
2 Cab #/ $525, Full Warranty
Deck Bridge
2 or 3 Rail
82 Scale Pacific TMCC, Cruise, RS 425
´%ULGJH99 Dble 125 Add-on 32
B&O Black, Undecorated
K-Line Scale Offerings VRE F59PH Diesel w/TMCC, RS 250
Scale Smoking Caboose
35
2-R Shay 475 Undec, PLC, Lack Rdg, E-L, SF, MR, B&M, Clinchfield
Woodside Reefer 35 4/125 Smoking Aluminum Diner
60
CNW, PFE, Heinz x 2, McLhaney,
PRR, NYC, SF Midnight
Peacock, Oppenheimer, Nash, Century, Scale Reading Plug-Door Box Car 23
Robin Hood Beer, Merchants Biscuit
NASA 2-Dome Tank 2-Pk
35
4620SP Horizon Scale Truck 2-Pk 12 Penn Salt Single Dome Tank 2-Pk 30
&1:´%L-Pk 150 4-Cars 275 Restaurant, Hotel, Coffee, Bridge 16
$PWUDN´-Pk $229 Save $270 Fire House, -RH¶V%XUJHU,FH&UHDP24
3HQQV\OYDQLD´%XVLQHVV&DU Treehouse, Perch 24 No. 7 Mine 20
Weaver Models
SALE
765
#418 4-car for above
$499
#217 Caboose Red/Nickel
90
1006-1 #767W NYC Hudson Set 925
#46 Crossing Gate & Signal
25
20-2454-1 Seaboard E-6 ABA 499
20-2566-1 E-L FT ABA
499
Dummy B for above $90
20-2549-1 LIRR F-7 ABA
499
20-2564-1 NYC FT ABA
499
20-2618-1 MR F-3 ABA
499
20-2615-1 UP Gas Turbine
875
Alco S-2 Dmy Ches, PC, WC
85
20-3044-1 UP FEF 4-8-4 PS 2.0 750
20-3130-1 Reading T-1 4-8-4
925
20-3191-1 UP 3-Truck Shay
875
20-3208-1 NYC Empire 4-4-0
635
20-3226-1 PRR T-1 Exp. Mail 1289
20-5560-1 Virginian EP-3
655
20-91133 Monongahela Caboose 35
20-91170 DRG Steel Caboose
35
20-91182 Erie Bay Window Cab 35
20-355¶$5$%R[
35
20-&UHDPVLFOH¶6WHHO
42
20-96124 Be Square Oil Tank
35
20-&2¶&RPS+RSSHU
20-9LUJLQLDQ¶+RSSHU
20-%2¶&RPS+RSSHU
20-355¶&RPS+RSSHU 35
20-975&OLQFKILHOG¶+RSSHU 35
20-98486 WC Police Car Flat
35
20-98487 ICG Police Car Flat
35
20-98488 Ohio Central Police Flat 35
20-$&+DXOHU¶)ODW 40
VO 1000
30-2378-1 Peabody AS-616 PS2.0 209
30-2419-1 SF C30-7 w/PS 2.0
209
30-2422-1 CSX C30-7 w/PS 2.0 209
30-2435-1 EMD SD60 w/PS 2.0 209
30-2437-1 Soo Line SD60 PS 2.0 209
Dummies for above $99
30-2421-1 Conrail C30-7 PS 2.0 209
30-2613-1 WC SW-9 w/PS 2.0 209
30-2453-1 Wabash E-8 AA PS2.0 209
30-4128-1 NE Patriots Set PS 2.0 225
30-7518X Hopper Cars
23
B&O, GN, PRR, Rdg, DRG, VA, UP
30-76176 DRG Flat w/ Forklifts 25
30-5GJ)ODWZ5HG38¶V 25
30-*1)ODWZ5HG9:¶V 25
30-11009 Scale Cantilever Bridge 26
30-11011 Scale Dwarf Signal
13
30-11023 Scale 3-Pos Semaphore 26
30-11024 Scale 3 over 3 Signal
26
30-11025 Scale 1 over 1 Signal
26
30-11030 PRR Signal Bridge
30
Plastic Truck 28 Die-Cast Truck 37
¶)LVK%HOO\)ODW&DU
NP, MR, PRR, WM, B&M, N&W
¶)ODW&DU
¶3OXJ'RRU
¶3OXJ'RRU ¶36-1 Box
Steel Side Box ¶6WHHO'EO'RRU
¶([SUHVVBox Outside Braced Box
¶6WRFN&DU 2-Bay Ribbed
2-Bay Offset
2-Bay Composite
3-Bay Offset
4-Bay High Side
9-Pannel
PS-2 CD Grain
PS-&RY¶G+RSSHU 4-Bay Centerflow
¶)ODWZ6WDNHV'&Army (2)
RailKing Scale Size Clearance
Gargraves (USA)
O Gauge
´)OH[7LQSODWH&V 219
´)OH[Stainless Phantom Case 265
Cmd/EOB/RS
Rdg, L&N, MR, WP, Erie,
NP, RI, NPR, C of GA
249
US Army Trans Corp Kitchen
72
Troop Express Cars 4# SALE 49
C&O, NH, CN, N&W
Troop MOW Cars 4# no interiors 65
C&O, N&W, GTW, Erie, WM, Guard
Pullman-Bradley
Blow-Out
4-Car $325 2R or 3R
BAR, KCS, SP, UP, SLSW
2-8-0 Baldwin 2-Rail 465 Cmd 549
WM, MEC, GTW, CN, NH
Diesel Locomotive 2R 239 Cmd 309
EOB Add $50
RS-3:Undec, Rdg, PC, PRR, 2xD&H, LV
Am, B&M, Erie, L&N, Susq, Rut,
NPR, CN, 2xArmy, CPR, C&O, MR,
WM, LI, Lack, RI, VR, C&NW
GP38-2: Undec, CR, LV, SCL, MP, NS,
ICG, MM, 2xCSX, L&N, B&M, GTW,
MR, MEC, SS, MKT, PRR, DT&I
Troop Pullman, Kitchen, Hospital 85
Kitchen WM (2), US Army Trans, Und
Troop MOW Cars 4# no interiors 75
Kitchen Monon, CBQ,
Sleeper WM (4) , PRR, L&N, Lack
Troop Express Cars 4# REA, PRR 62
B60b Baggage/ Mail Car 4#
75
PRR (3), Undec, N&W, LI
532&DUV´$%6
79
N&W(2), PRR (2), CN, B&M, NH
Pullman-Bradley 4/ 415
6/ 615
B&M, GTW, NH (3), CN (2) $105 ea
Rolling Stock 2 or 3-Rail
NH, Rut, B&M, GN, WM, NP, Rdg, N&W
¶)ODWZ5HVLQ/RDGV'&
Army (2), NH, Rut, B&M, GN, WM, NP,
Rdg, N&W
4 Load types
¶)ODWZ´&RQWDLQHUV'&
APL, Mitsui, Hanjin, NYK, Evergrn, NOL
1HGOOR\G³.´/LQH22&/Hamburg,
Maersk, Xtra
5RDGVDVSHU¶)ODW
¶)ODWZ$UP\/RDG
38 DC 47
Wood Side Reefer 29 DC 38 REA,
&20LG5DWK:HVFRWW,RZD6W0DU\¶V
Brookside, Carnation, CM&SP, CN,
White Rock, Hofbrau, Steinlager, OBC,
0XUSK\¶V0DUJDULWD'RQXWV:DFKXVHWW
42, 72,´7LQ6ZLWFK0DQ5HP 40¶RU¶7DQN'&
Above w/DZ-2500 TMCC $50 AC-2 Covered Hopper
29
DC 38
Gantry Crane Track 17.50 Stainless 19
90 Degree Crossing $17 Video $8 ¶0HFKDQLFDO5HHIHU
30
DC 39
RC Uncplr #107 $21.50 Op. #108 25.50
C&O, WM, B&M, Lack, PRR, SP,
UP, N&W, Sou, NH, NS, L&N, GTW
Now with Wood Ties
CN, MEC, NW/MP, BN, UP, BAR, PFE,
BNSF, PA, Trop (5), MR, CNW, Snd $15
Circle 032/ $35 042/ $41 054/ $54
063/ $57 072/ $61 080/ $78
089/ $82 096/ $85 106/$89
Circle 042/$39 054/$52 063/$55
072/$58 More to come
S-Gauge, G-Gauge, Std Gauge Also
Weaver Brass
SALE
N&W 8-wheel Cabin Cars
Northeastern Caboose
37 DC 46
RoadRailers 35 DC 39 Triple Crown
Amtrak, Swift (2), CN (2), Express Track,
Ice Cold Express, Schneider, Alliance,
Wabash, US Mail, Clipper Cplr Mate $10
¶+LJKZD\7UDLOHUV
DZ Products
32
1000 Switch Machine 18 SPDT Relay 9
210
Class CF: Red Class CG: 2 Red, Blue
NKP L1a/L1b Hudson 725 Cmd 825
Brooks Built, Lima Built
New Haven I-5 2 or 3-Rail
949
Script or Block TMCC/EOB 1049
CN U4a Royal Train 2R 945 Cmd 1045
Pullman-Bradley 4-Pk $415
GTW U4b 4-8-4 2/3R 945 Cmd 1045
DZ-1010 Crossing Gate Set
79
DZ-1011 Block Signal Detectors
19
DZ-1020 Crossing Signal Set
55
DZ-1030 Wigwag Signal Set
79
DZ-1040 UQ or LQ Semaphore 49
DZ-1050 3-Light Trackside Signal 36
DZ-1060 7-Light Trackside Signal 39
DZ-1200 Station Announcement 85
DZ-1220 Trolley Stop & Control
79
DZ-1240 Auto Stop & Reverse
38
Reading G-1 4-6-2 Pacific
495 DZ-1260 Water Tower Animator 36
Brass Switch Tower $55 3 Colors DZ-1265 Fuel Station Animator
38
Sunset RDC Pwr NYC 2# 445 DZ-2500 TMCC Switch Machine 25
Buy–Sell–Trade
Buy-Sell-Trade ads are $5 for 30 words plus your address information. Additional words are $0.25 each. Subscribers are permitted one free ad per subscription cycle. All B-S-T ads are prepaid. You may send ads by postal service with a check or money order. Ads sent by email or called in must use a credit
card. See our contact info on page 2.
FOR SALE: Sunset C&O 2-10-4, new in box; Sunset UP early
Challenger, coal version, new in box. Call 410-488-4259 between 6 and
9 pm Eastern time.
Precision Scale, SASE. The Brassroundhouse.com. Now stocking HO.
Phone: 727-391-3135 John Clemens, 5273 97 Way N, St. Petersburg, FL
33708-3752
WANTED: Joe Fischer cars. American Standard hvywt baggage and
Pullmans. PSC 10 sect. Pullmans w/AC. Mail only, please. Jim Seacrest,
PO Box 6397, Lincoln, NE 68506-0397
FOR SALE: Special Shapes inventory: Angles, Zees, Tees, Hex, Cchannel, Square-channel, Square bars, I-beams, H-columns, flat strip
stock. 30% discount. Email [[email protected]] or SASE for a complete
list. Rick Kolenc, 7468 Princeton Ct, Mentor, OH 44060-5232
WANTED: Lobaugh WWII era. Westbrook boxcars only. Ortl Ltd/AN
CB&Q waycars, 3 or 4 window RTR. Mail only, please. Jim Seacrest, PO
Box 6397, Lincoln, NE 68506-0397
WANTED: PSC PRR X29 boxcar #15467 and similar #15453, Pac Ltd 32
ARA boxcar #5000A, CN cabooses, Crown B&M ob boxcar, Reynolds
(Athearn) 50’ PRR and NKP 50’ boxcars. Mail only, please. Jim Seacrest,
PO Box 6397, Lincoln, NE 68506-0397
INTERMOUNTAIN, Key, Keystone, Max Gray, NJ Custom Brass,
Overland, Pacific Limited, PRB, Precision Scale, Sunset, US Hobbies...
now stocking Intermountain HO. The BrassRoundhouse.com. Phone:
727-391-3135. John Clemens, 5273 97 Way N, St. Petersburg, FL
33708-3752
FREE O SCALE LIST: List of O Scale shows for 2006. Send LSSAE to Bob
Retallack, Dept OST06, 2224 Adner Ct, Columbus, OH 43220.
WANTED: Central Loco Works C&O T1 2-10-4 kit in any condition. Call
or write. Ph: 540-672-5270, Charles H Berterman, 18241 Beech Tree Dr,
Orange, VA 22960-2767
WANTED: International, Toby, USH/KTM, PSC, etc., brass (only) PRR
round roof boxcars, X-29, 40’; X-32, 50’; single or double doors. No
wood or plastic considered. No Pullman Standard Stanray roof either.
No trucks, couplers, paint or lettering OK. Minor nicks or dents OK.
Write Phil, 34075 Mt Pleasant Rd, Lebanon OR 97355 or call 541-2587055. All answered.
FOR SALE OR TRADE: O Scale traction, HO brass traction, Fairfield,
CSL, Suydam, CNS&M. SASE John Lesniak, 3852 N Sayre Ave, Chicago
IL 60634, [email protected]
FOR SALE: Kohs PRR K4, solid pilot w/antenna, $3100. Fine Art PRR
passenger car $500. All new in box. Bob Lowery 215-887-7049.
WANTED: Pacific Ltd SP B-50-14 boxcars, PSC #15561, #15557 and
#15745 automobile boxcars; Division Point SP GS/DB gondolas, Pacific
Electric Railway cars in classes 800, 1000, 1200, 1221, 1406, 1430,
1451; B-W Class D steeplecabs. H. Wolfgang Hohenner, 4053 St Johns
Ln, Ellicott City, MD 21042-5338
WANTED: MTH DL-109 A-Unit body shell. Any road name. Not a
problem if the chassis is toast. (913) 226-4476 evenings after 7:00 PM
CST. Jack Ferris, 10334 Ash St, Overland Park KS 66207, jackferris@
earthlink.net.
INTERMOUNTAIN built-up box cars, reefers, gondolas, hoppers,
tankers... $39. Keystone, Max Gray, NJ Brass, Overland, Pacific Limited,
FOR SALE: Weaver Pennsy M1A w/longhaul tender. Like new in box, test
run only. $700 plus shipping. Call Chuck at 717-352-3453
November 2006
March 2007
Events
VAN BUREN, ARKANSAS. Area’s neatest hobby store from Z to O, new
and used. Visit Dave’s Hobby Shop at 600 Main St in the Anhauser
Busch Building or online at www.daveswebshop.com, 479-471-0750.
4: Kirtland, Ohio
2-Rail Train Meet of the Western Reserve. Dedicated to the memory of
Gil Stovicek. Two-Rail only meet (no tinplate, Hi-Rail or other scales
allowed). Admission $5, under 12 free. Show hours from 9:30 AM to
2:30 PM. Six foot vendor tables are $35. Vendor entry Friday 1:00 PM
and Saturday 7:00 AM. Not affiliated with the former Western Reserve
O Scale Committee. Contact Bob Frieden, 440-256-8141. NO PASSES
ACCEPTED AT THIS MEET. Note: Out of towners call for special room
rates!
4: Phoenix, AZ. USA
“In The Heat” Swap Meet. Open 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Admission $5
at the door. Located at the Fellowship Center, North Phoenix Baptist
Church, 5757 North Central Ave. Phoenix, AZ. All gauges, books, tapes,
train railmemorabilia and accessories. New and used items, modelers,
collectors, dealers. Ample parking, handicap accessible, easy to unload,
good food on premises. Tables $20 each (8 foot tables). Sellers admitted
at 7:00 AM. EVERYONE WELCOME! Contact: David Jerry 602-336-0973
(Please leave message), Email: [email protected]
11-12: Ft Worth, Texas
22nd Annual Ft. Worth Train Show. Sat. 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Sun.
10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Admission: $7 per person, children under 12 free.
Featuring O Scale modular layouts, Lionel, MTH, and other O Scale and
Hi-Rail vendors, literature, tools, modeling supplies and more. Held in
the Amon G Carter Exhibits building, Will Rogers Memorial Center, 1
Amon Sqr., Ft. Worth, TX 76107. Contact Bart Bartholomew, 972-7334998. Email: [email protected]
18: Pullman, Washington, U.S.A.
11th Annual Palouse Empire Railroad Show & Swap. Adult admission:
$3, under 12 free with paid adult. Eight foot dealer tables $10 each
(no limit). Free parking on site, food service available. Held at the Beasley Performing Arts Coliseum, Washington State University Campus,
Pullman, WA. Buy sell or swap anything railroad related, including:
Railroadiana, Scale Model Trains, Vintage Toy Trains, Railroad Antiques
and Collectibles, Vintage Post Cards, Art, Videos, Photographs, Books
(a group of authors will be selling and autographing their latest railroad
books) Operating Model Railroads, Historical Displays and much more.
Contact: Ken Vogel, NW 237 Sunrise Dr., Pullman, WA 99163 PHONE:
(509)332-4916. Or contact: Noel Randall, 805 Panorama, Moscow, ID
83843 PHONE: (208)882-3773. Email: [email protected]
September 2007
20-22: Indianapolis, Indiana
2007 O Scale National Convention Sponsored by the Indy “O” Scale
Meet and O Scale Trains Magazine. Held at the Indianapolis Marriott
East, 7202 East 21st St, Indianapolis. Rooms are $59 to $79 per night
with FREE parking. Three-day admission is $30. Tables are $40. We will
have 20,000 sq. ft of selling and display space for nothing but O Scale
trains! For more details contact Jim Canter, 317-782-3322. Held at the
Indianapolis Marriott East, 7202 East 21st St, Indianapolis, IN 46219, Ph:
317-322-3716. Email: [email protected]
Amer. O Scale Prof. Services
AM Hobbies
Armstrong Tool & Supply
Arttista
Atlas O
Auel Industries
Bachmann Trains
Baldwin Forge & Machine
Banta Modelworks
Big 4 Jct
Brummy's Ballast
BTS
Buffalo Creek Graphics
Central Locomotive Works
Clever Bros.
Clever Bros.
Crusader Rail Services
Custom Signals
Deichman's Depot
DM&M Railroad Co.
Eagles Nest Miniatures
East Gary Car Co.
Get Real Productions Golden Gate Depot
61
38
40
24
32
35
IBC
59
11
30
26
59
26
13
8
59
24
30
59
38
59
59
49
24
69
51
Gorilla Glue
29
Great Scale Model Train Show 10
Hackworth Model Trains
49
House of Duddy
40
Irish Tracklayer
45
JD's Trains
34
Just Trains
66,67
Keil-Line Products
24
Key Imports
39
Korber
10
LaBelle Woodworking Co.
24
Mesa Models
33
Model Building Services
59
Model Crafters
32
Model Tech
39
MRC
33
M.T.H. Electric Trains
50
Mullett River
10
NCE Corp
40
Norm’s O Scale
59
O Scale Realty
39
Old & Weary Car Shops
41
Old Pullman
39
Overland Models
52
PA Heritage Models
34
P&D Hobby Shop
25
Precision Scale Co.
IFC
Proto-Switch
38
Public Delivery Track
29
Raggs to Riches
34
Railroad Collectibles
48
RCS of NE
26
Red Caboose
26
Ron's Books
29
Ross Custom Switches
22
San Juan Car Co.
50
Scenic Express
30
Stevenson Preservation Lines 45
Sumpter Valley Depot
24
Suncoast Models
49
Sunset⁄3rd Rail BC
T Bone Models
59
TrainAmerica
59
Turner Model Works
30
Twin Whistle Sign & Kit
23
Valley Model Trains
30
Vinylbed/Hobby Innovations 26
Weaver
61
Western Reserve O Scale Meet 61
Woodland Scenics
28
Advertisers Index
AAA Turntables
Allegheny Scale Models
Turn, Turn, Turn
We are ever evolving. This issue we say “see you soon” to
two of our regular contributors, Neville Rossiter and Carey
Hinch. Neville is taking a much needed break from writing his
“Workshop” series and Carey has started grad school, giving up
the “Modern Image” helm. Not to worry, however. Carey will
still be doing his superb drawings for the mag, as well as some
writing, and Neville promises feature length articles about Bay
Ridge Harbor RR projects.
Replacing Carey as the ”Modern Image“ columnist is one of
Carey’s good friends, Gene Clemens. We don’t think we could
have found a better replacement for Carey, as Gene is a real-life
locomotive engineer and an O Scale modeler! Who better to
write a column about modeling modern-day railroading. Gene
debuts this issue with a great piece about creating an MoW
scene. Welcome to the OST family, Gene.
2K6 Digital Photo Contest Winners
For a while, I wasn’t sure we were going to have any submissions to the photo contest and then, wham! We were flooded at
the eleventh hour with 23 submissions from 12 photographers.
The winning photos and Honorable Mentions are in this issue.
Congratulations to Robert Meyer (Steam), Dan Rowsell (Diesel)
and Bill Davis (Narrow Gauge). Your photos were judged as the
best of the bunch.
I was very disappointed there were no entries in the new
Traction category this year. Roger was all set to do his best judging and no one showed up! Maybe next year. C’mon, I know
there are traction modelers who read OST. Let’s see some of
your best work.
Serious HiRail
Maybe HiRailers have finally earned some measure of
respect from 2-Rail modelers. OST featured Gary Patterson’s
Cheryl Valley three-rail layout (Sept ’04) and no one asked for
my head. So, when I first saw Norm Charbonneau’s layout I
knew it should be shared with all O Scalers. We ran a sneakpeek last issue and, again, no one asked for my head. I am
confident that you will enjoy Norm’s modeling. In fact, I am so
confident that I have asked him to do a couple articles for us.
Based on what I’ve seen, we could all learn a few tricks from
this excellent modeler. Best of all, Norm is a younger guy who
can inspire other younger guys.
Industry Tidbits
One reader called and asked me to give more industry news
in this space. I’ll try to do that on occasion, like now.
Scott Mann is well known as the president of Sunset/3rd Rail
which produces some fine brass in O Scale, but he is also the
owner of Golden Gate Depot. GGD is producing a line of ABS
plastic heavyweight passenger cars in O Scale. This is one of the
“missing links” in modern O Scale. I think GGD has a sell-out
product there.
DCC continues to make inroads into O Scale and I think
it will become the “de facto” standard as it has in HO and N
Scales. Why? Because the entry price-point has dropped to
within every modeler’s reach.
Bachmann’s E-Z DCC basic system lists retail for $106, probably around $75 at discount. Bachmann has also announced a 5
amp power booster, price TBA.
Another entry DCC system is the MRC Prodigy Advance, listing at $330 but selling at discount for about $250. MRC has also
announced a 3.5 amp booster and there is a rumored 8 amp
booster, both in the $150-$175 range.
What is nice about both Bachmann’s and MRC’s systems
is there is nothing else to buy (assuming you have a DCCequipped locomotive on hand). All of Bachmann’s On30 offerings now come DCC-equipped.
If and when you need more power or more sophisticated
controls, there is always the front-line DCC manufacturers like
North Coast Engineering.
Signal-to-Noise
In any communication system where information is to be
transferred, designers must always be concerned with the Signal-to-Noise ratio (SNR). The more noise in a system, the harder
it is to distinguish the information from the background.
The Internet is a communication system designed to transfer
information. Back in the early days of the Net (early 90s), the
SNR was high. If you were connected to the Net back then, you
were often charged by the byte transferred. My first website
on the Net in 1994 cost $650 a month! The downside of being
“wired” then was that it was costly. The upside was that most of
what you sent and/or received was useful information.
Not so these days. My email inbox is about 98% junk mail.
I spend about an hour every day deleting SPAM and that’s after
my SPAM filter has done its job. (Maybe I need a better filter.)
But it is not just SPAM that has my hackles up. I monitor several “boards” that serve the O Scale community, and I would
say the SNR on these boards is very, very low. In fact, it is so
bad that I don’t really read anything; I just skim. Here’s an example. Someone posted a query on a software issue. The very first
responder suggested abandoning the software in favor of paper
and pencil. This is akin to me asking a question about the software I use to create this magazine and being told to go back to
layout boards and wax, a step backwards about 20 years. The
response is just not useful information. It neither answers the
question nor suggests a meaningful alternative.
I see examples of this every day. That is why OST does not
host a traditional bulletin board system. Instead, we have the
OST Interactive Forum, our blog. Here you can talk-back directly to OST authors in a structured way that, hopefully, keeps on
topic. Many people have signed up but I would really like to see
more comments posted on the blog. There are two letters in
this issue directed at Hobo D. HiRailer that were emailed to us.
They could have been posted at the blog where they could have
started a dialogue.
In the coming months, I am going to start a new blog page
called “Projects”. I’ll start by creating project pages for myself
and Brian. We can discuss our projects in a lot more detail
online than in print. If this garners some interest, I will encourage all the OST contributors to start a Projects page as well. It
will be an interesting experiment.
One last item. If you would be interested in the Guide to
Modern O Scale in PDF format, say for $10, let me know. If
enough of you are interested, ’ll make it happen.
Keep highballin’
u
ATLASOSCALE - Locomotives! Reefers! Box Cars! AVAILABLE NOW!
www.atlaso.com
ATLAS O GP60/60M/60B
LOCOMOTIVES
New Paint Schemes & Road Numbers!
• Die-cast chassis, fuel tank, trucks, & pilots
• All metal handrails and grab irons
• Available in 3-Rail TMCC, and 2-Rail Silver and Gold Series
• 2-Rail Gold Series features QSI sound
Check out these Available Paint Schemes!
• UP/SSW†, Maersk, Santa Fe
QSI®,Quantum System™
are registered trademarks of
QSIndustries, Inc.
For more information on the GP60 Locomotive, visit:
www.atlaso.com/ogp604.htm
O GP60/60M/60B LOCOMOTIVES
O SD40 SERIES LOCOMOTIVES
ATLAS O SD40 SERIES
LOCOMOTIVES
New Paint Schemes!
• Highly detailed with railroad specific variations
• Diesel exhaust unit
• Available in 3-Rail TMCC, and 2-Rail Silver and Gold Series
• 2-Rail Gold Series features QSI sound
Check out these NEW Paint Schemes!
• BN, CGW, Clinchfield*, GT, Western Maryland*, NS
QSI ,Quantum System™
are registered trademarks of
QSIndustries, Inc.
®
For more information on the SD40 Locomotive, visit:
www.atlaso.com/osd40a.htm
ATLAS O 40’ STEEL REEFERS
• True ¼” dimensions and details
• Die-cast ladders, stirrups, and grab irons
• Prototypical painting and printing
• Agar Packing, Black Hills Packing, PFE†, Santa Fe
For more information on the Steel reefer, visit:
www.atlaso.com/osteelreefer4.htm
O 50’ PS-1 BOX CARS
O 40’ STEEL REEFERS
ATLAS O 50’ PS-1 BOX CARS
• Youngstown or Pullman Standard style doors as per the prototype
• Scale 15’ door opening (7’ & 8’ doors)
• Frisco, New York Central*, Southern, Union Pacific†
For more information on the 50’ PS-1, visit:
www.atlaso.com/ops15.htm
*CSX Licensed Product †Union Pacific Licensed Product
To find an Atlas O dealer, go to http ://www.atlaso.com/locator/locator.asp or call 1-800-TRACK-A-1 (1-800-872-2521)
For the NEW Atlas O Scale 2006 Spring/Summer Locomotive & Freight Car Catalog, please send $5 ($7 outside the US) to the address shown below.
Atlas O, LCC • 378 Florence Avenue • Hillside, NJ 07205
CB&Q - DM&IR AND B&LE 2-10-4
CB&Q - Elesco FWH
Bessemer and Lake Erie saw how
wonderful the CB&Q M4s turned out.
Soon the B&LE had a fleet of 47 of
them. 18 of these were transferred to
the DM&IR and reclassified as E4.
2007
COMING$1500
UNDER
CB&Q - Worthington BL FWH
Sunset Models is making the CB&Q
M4a with the Worthington BL type FWH
and Elesco FWH. Also available are
the B&LE H1 and DM&IR E4.
Featuring:
- Super Detail in Brass
- Ball Bearing Gearbox and "Quiet
Drive" Mechanism
- Huge 9000 Series Pittman Motor with
Coasting Flywheel
- Working Mars Light (CB&Q)
- Directional Lighting, With Lighted
Markers and Classification Lights
- Kadee Coupler Pre-Installed
- Operating Hatches and Vents with Cab
Apron
- Fully Detailed Cab Interior with With
Crew Figures, Painted Handles and
Dials and window glazing.
B&LE H1
DM&IR E4
Only a few of each model are to be
produced so please reserve what you
wish to buy now so we can plan for the
correct production quantities.
Thank you for your support on these
and other projects.
SUNSET MODELS INC.
TM
37 South Fourth Street · Campbell, CA · 95008 · 408-866-1727 · fax 408-866-5674 · www.3rdrail.com

Issue #29 - O Scale Trains Magazine

Transcription

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