O Scale Trains Magazine
Transcription
O Scale Trains Magazine
O Scale Trains MAGAZINE March/April 2009 u Issue #43 US $6.95 • Can $8.95 Display until April 30, 2009 Celebrating the art of 1:48 modeling Celebrating the art of 1:48 modeling Issue #43 Mar/Apr 2009 Vol. 8 - No.2 Editor-in-Chief/Publisher Joe Giannovario [email protected] Art Director Jaini Giannovario [email protected] Managing Editor Mike Cougill [email protected] Advertising Manager Jeb Kriigel [email protected] Customer Service Spike Beagle Complaints L’il Bear Contributors Ted Byrne Gene Clements Carey Hinch Roger C. Parker Neville Rossiter Subscription Rates: 6 issues US - Periodical Class Delivery US$35 US - First Class Delivery (1 year only)US$45 Canada/MexicoUS$55 OverseasUS$80 Visa, MC, AMEX & Discover accepted. Call 610-363-7117 during Eastern time business hours. Dealers contact Kalmbach Publishing, 800-558-1544 ext 818 or email [email protected] Advertisers call for info. www.oscalemag.com • ©2009 All Rights Reserved Printed in the U.S.A. O Scale Trains Magazine, ISSN 1536-9528, USPS 24457, is published bi-monthly in January, March, May, July, September and November by OST Magazine, PO Box 289, Exton PA 19341-0289. Subscription rates: US Periodical Mail, $35 per year, US First Class Mail, $45 per year; Canada or Mexico, $55 per year; Overseas, $80 per year. Postage paid at West Chester, Pa., and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER send address changes to O Scale Trains Magazine, PO Box 289, Exton PA 19341-0289. Contributors: O Scale Trains welcomes your feature articles, photos, and drawings. Such material should be sent to the above address for possible publication. If we accept, you will be notified immediately. For more information concerning article preparation guidelines, please send an SASE to the above address and request our “Guide For Authors” or visit our website at: www. oscalemag.com. Cover: A C&O K-3 2-8-2 gets her tender filled at the C&O Thurmond, WV, coaling dock on Greg Bergman's O Scale layout featured in this issue. O Scale Trains MAGAZINE Features 4 Modeling Thurmond on the C&O A city with no streets? Yep, That’s Thurmmond, West Virginia. Greg Bergman has captured the feel of this unique town in O Scale. 9 Building A GE 44-Tonner in Styrene A unique joint project built by Charlie Purin and Tom Houle. 21 A Signal System for the ALCO Belt — Part 1 If anyone should know how to signal a model railroad it ought to be a real railroad engineer. Gene Clements will show how he designed and installs a signal system on his O Scale layout. 30 Quick Background Buildings Need a lot of background buildings? Jerry Zaret has one solution. 36 Culverts and Drain Pipes Small but often overlooked details can add a lot to a scene. L. Lee Davis describes how he makes these items. 39 A Makeover for the MTH 64’ Wood Coach Ed Bommer can’t seem to leave well enough alone. Here he describes how he made these coaches even better looking. 52 Logging Caboose: A Diversion Model Looking for something different to do, William Davis scratchbuilt this nifty piece of rolling stock. 54 2009 O Scale Convention Layout Tours Departments 15 17 18 26 47 60 60 61 62 The Art of Finescale – Mike Cougill The Modern Image – Gene Clements Reader Feedback Traction Action – Roger Parker Product News & Reviews Buy-Sell-Trade Ads Events Listing Advertiser Index Observations – Joe Giannovario Centerspread: A C&O K-3 2-8-2 running light crosses the bridge into Thurmond, WV, on Greg Bergman's O Scale layout. Mar/Apr ’09 - O Scale Trains • 3 Modeling Thurmond on the C&O Text & Layout by Greg Bergman Photos by Eric Waggoner Looking west shows the engine house, bunk house and the remains of the town of Thurmond. “The Chesapeake & Ohio’s main street – her only street C&O locomotives. The 40 x 30 foot layout was built over a – but she’s the greatest town on the river.” Eugene Lewis period of five years. The layout was built at a height of 41 Scott, October 1943. inches using ¾ inch plywood with 2x4 legs and supports. The Chesapeake and Ohio opened up the New River Occasionally I must walk on the layout and this is not a probcoalfields and the town of Thurmond, West Virginia, was lem. The roadbed is Vinyl Bed and there are 36 switches on established in 1873. Thurmond was unique. For years it was the layout, consisting of 15 scratchbuilt; the others from Roco the only town in the world without a street; there was not a single road leading in or out of town. The main street was the C&O tracks running east and west. The population was never over 500. In 1910, Thurmond handled 4,283,681 tons of freight and the revenue from this amounted to $4,824,911. It also handled 76,541 passengers. By 1930 Thurmond had lost her attraction as a commercial center and business began to decline. The towns and cities back on the plateau, served by highways, became the business and commercial centers of the New River Coalfield. The little town of Thurmond was left with little more than its railroad station. I selected Thurmond because of the many railroad structures located This photo shows Thurmond National Bank on the left, the Goodwin-Kincaid building is center, and to the in a small space and because I like right is the Mankin-Cox building. 4 • O Scale Trains - Mar/Apr ’09 commissary The commissary is next to the water tanks. The bunkhouse is across the tracks in the foreground. Mar/Apr ’09 - O Scale Trains • 5 Thurmond looking east A C&O Allegheny (H-8) approaching the signal bridge. and Atlas. Tortoise switch machines are used on only two switches. The rest have handthrows. The tightest curves are 85 inch radius with the largest being 103 inches. The track is Micro Engineering’s with electrical connections every 15 feet. Several electrical blocks are used to add or remove track power. Until recently, I have used a Pacific Fast Mail system for power and sound. One locomotive has been equipped with DCC using NCE power cab with a Soundtraxx Tsunami sound decoder. All structures are scratchbuilt with the exception of the two water tanks. I take credit for the skewed bridge, enginehouse, signal bridge, coaling dock, freight station and commissary. The other buildings were built by Reed Artim and Ken Anz. Selective compression was avoided in building the layout which forced me to leave out two buildings. One was the Hotel Thurmond, located next to the Thurmond bank, and the Armour Meat House. Across from the hotel was the coaling dock, but since a coaling dock cannot be located on curved track, I was forced to place this further down the track. Sections of the layout have no scenery because they do not reflect what was around Thurmond and function as storage or staging areas. The hills are made of foam board cut and glued together. This works well to hold Looking east, an H-8 crossing the skewed bridge with the passenger and freight stations in the background. 6 • O Scale Trains - Mar/Apr ’09 A better view of passenger and freight station. the many trees. Ninety percent of the trees are made from goldenrod, a weed found in the Midwest. Foreground trees are made from armatures imported from China or scratchbuilt from cuttings of a hydrangea bush. These took about 2 ½ hours each to construct. Rock formations were made from rubber molds I borrowed from Miles Hale. The water and ground cover is from Woodland Scenics. Seven of my locomotives are unpainted and not shown. Friends like Jerry Ballard are good enough to show me the many errors on my locomotives which I attempt to correct. When I cannot do the work, like regauging the wheels, installing DCC and Tsunami sound decoders, I turn to two more friends, Gary Schrader and Stew Kleinschmidt. The good thing about the layout is sharing it with friends. The best thing is seeing the excitement and joy in my grandchildren’s eyes when they help me run my trains. References: Two Views of Thurmond: One Hundred Years of History by Walter R. Witschey, Gatewood Co., 1978. Scale drawings of many of the structures at Thurmond are available for free at [http://www.wva-usa.com/newsite/www. wvrailroads.com/drawings/]. u Another view looking east. Mar/Apr ’09 - O Scale Trains • 7 SCALE ALUMINUM CARS COMING 2009/2010 GGD is producing these scale Aluminum Sets with accurate interiors, moulded windows, operating doors, highly detailed die cast trucks and underbody detail. Look for the following sets to order in 2 Rail or 3 Rail. - NYC 20th Century Limited - June 2009 SP Daylight #98 - Late 2009 SF Super Chief - Fall 2009 PRR Congressional - Early 2010 Call your dealer or go to www.goldengatedepot.com to reserve your set. Only made to the reservations. No deposit required. GGD is owned by Scott Mann President Sunset Models / 3rd Rail. 408-866-1727 www.goldengatedepot.com 8 • O Scale Trains - Mar/Apr ’09 FAX: (408) 904-5849 Building a GE 44-Tonner in Styrene Charlie Purin and Tom Houle The ubiquitous GE 44-tonner is perfect for layouts small and large. This loco was used by most Class 1 roads and many industries as well. I (Charlie Purin) sowed the seeds for this article many years ago when I built and painted the styrene body and frame. Thirteen years later, Tom Houle added a Q-Car drive and trucks, handrails, grabs, lighting and other details to finish up the project. We wrote this article not so much to show how to replicate a GE 44-tonner, but to demonstrate that any O Scaler who is familiar with styrene can easily build this loco or any other short-coupled Diesel. It’s meant as an inspirational project for those who have never tried building a loco from scratch because they don’t believe they can. Well excuse us, but we’d like to prove that you really can. Yeah, we know all about the good old days when one had to be a blacksmith or a tin bender to build a locomotive with all the associated soldering, tin-snipping, shearing, bending, filing, drilling, tapping, etc. and then it weighed ten pounds. Today it’s possible to do that same kind of work in styrene with a straight edge, a sharp modeling knife, a few files, drill bits, and a 2-56 tap. And folks, when your project is painted and weighted, it’s virtually impossible to tell the difference between brass and styrene. So if you’re hankering for a GE, Baldwin, Midwest Locomotive Works, Whitcomb, Plymouth, Davenport or other Diesel critter and you don’t know where to start, consider researching and rounding up the necessary drawings and photos and try a styrene loco. My research began with a three-part article and a prototype drawing in the May, June, and July 1955 issues of Model Railroader by Bob Klubertanz. There is another article on building styrene Diesels that’s worth looking at. It’s a Dollar Car article that ran in the December, 1967 issue of Model Railroader. It was written by Ted Davis and is titled “Build a Baldwin”. This article covers the construction of a 1,500 HP Baldwin Diesel in styrene. The author brings many useful construction techniques to the table. Since I’m a Milwaukee Road nut, I also located three Milwaukee Road Historical Society magazines that contained photos of their three 44tonners. Tom and I also find the Internet to be an excellent source of prototype data. Whatever loco you choose to build, remember the same styrene materials and drive we used can apply to your project. The Bob Klubertanz and Ted Davis articles are still available from Kalmbach for a nominal copying fee. Go to the Model Railroader website and look for Customer Service. I’ll begin with building the styrene body and frame. Tom’s comments on finishing up the loco will follow. Body and Frame - Charlie Purin When I was a junior in high school, my modeling skills were very limited, but there was something about the Klubertanz article that I never forgot. The beauty of Bob’s article is that most of the techniques he used to build his brass loco can be replicated in styrene. 40 years later and newly retired from a long military and merchant marine career, Bob’s article came to mind. I did some digging and found a fellow model railroader, Dick Scott of Midland MI, who had a great collection of Model Railroaders and even remembered the article I had in mind. A lot of changes have occurred in the 53 years since that article was published. Bob used a Main Power M-70 motor, Jerry Martin Centriclutch belt drive; U-joint coupled drive shaft, Lindsay gearboxes and 33”wheelsets for his drive. He even painstakingly built his own sideframes. When I started my project, I was familiar with Q-Car’s powered trucks for traction modeling. I found Q-Car sideframes that were a close match to the prototype. (Tom made minimal modifications so that the sideframes match the GE prototype.) Things were looking good on the project until my life changed. I found myself suddenly un-retired and working again. I was a merchant mariner and I knew I’d have plenty of time between watches to do some model building. I decided to build a static model for display purposes only. Though space on board ship was limited, the little desk in my stateroom was big enough to provide a small work space and to Mar/Apr ’09 - O Scale Trains • 9 accommodate a cutting board. I decided to limit the materials for my project to what I could fit in a shoebox. My favorite tools for styrene are: an X-Acto knife, O Scale rule and a metal ruler with a non-slip backing. I cut pieces that would fit in my shoebox from 0.020”, 0.030”, 0.040” and 0.060” styrene sheets. My plan was to take Part 1 of Bob’s article with me and cut out the necessary parts for the two hoods and cab. I would bring them home between trips and assemble them later. In retrospect this worked out fairly well. The first thing I did was convert Bob’s comprehensive HO drawings to O Scale. I discovered the drawings had shrunk slightly. Either the Kalmbach printing press or running the article through a photocopier caused the shrinkage. So I converted the HO dimensions in inches on Bob’s drawings to HO feet and inches and then into O Scale. In retrospect I could have simply multiplied the HO dimensions by 181% and gotten my O Scale dimensions. Live and learn! I next laid out all the components. I typically increased the thicknesses of my styrene pieces vis-à-vis the brass sheet thicknesses Bob used. For example, where Bob used 0.030” brass for the hood sides, I used 0.040”. This gave me a little more strength and the necessary thickness on which to scribe the door panels. I tend to have a heavy hand, so for me, thicker is better. The hood sides weren’t much trouble, but I must confess I screwed up many cab ends, sides and hood ends before I had pieces I was satisfied with. Working with styrene can be a learning experience. I tried drilling small holes in the corners of the window openings and then carefully cut away the window outlines with an X-Acto knife. I also tried cutting away from the corners without first drilling the holes. In either case, some filing was required to square up the corners. In the end it came out OK. I found out later the easiest way to accurately cut window and door openings in styrene is to cut a pair of diagonals in the opening (an X pattern) and then cut the four sides. The styrene doesn’t have to be cut all the way through; scoring the styrene is sufficient to snap out the four unwanted triangles from the opening. When the parts were all cut, I took them home to my workbench. I assembled the hoods, cab, and radiator shutters using plastic cement. I’ve forgotten the brand I used (Photo 1-2). The radiator shutter frames with their requisite nine angled and parallel louvers about drove me nuts. I tried all sorts of support jigs to align the individual louvers, but nothing seemed to work as well as simple trial and error. I eventually got them right; but there is probably a better way to get them perfectly aligned. I made the two exhaust stacks by cutting pieces of rectangular cross-section styrene tubing in half lengthwise and added ears to get the U -shape. I sanded the stacks to match the hood and stack angles. Spoiled by the space on my workbench, I decided it would be easier to complete the project at home rather than at sea. I cut the frame deck from 0.060” styrene (Photos 3 & 4). The frame ends and side skirts were cut from 0.040” styrene. I assembled these parts into a complete frame including bolsters and coupler pads. I painted the body and frame in the Milwaukee Road’s circa mid-fifties black and orange. At that 3 4 1 2 10 • O Scale Trains - Mar/Apr ’09 point I was sidetracked by several home projects, ship modeling projects, and some models on consignment. My little switcher ended up unfinished and relegated once again to the shoebox. Time passed and I found myself in Wisconsin in a home with a real basement. At long last, there was the possibility of a layout of my own and I resurrected the little switcher. I ordered truck bolsters, sideframes, 33” wheelsets, and a Mashima gearmotor drive from Q-Car. As fate would have it, I got side-tracked again, this time by a huge, scratchbuilt O Scale Lake Michigan railway car ferry. This turned out to be a three year project. During this period I also renewed a bunch of old modeling friendships and made some new ones, too. One of my new friends, Tom Houle, came to the rescue and agreed to finish my switcher, for which I’m grateful. Power, Detail, and Lighting - Tom Houle When Charlie first blew the dust off his shoe box and opened it up to show me his styrene 44-tonner body and frame, I was totally impressed. Charlie had done a great job replicating Bob Klubertanz’s excellent brass workmanship in styrene. As depicted in Photos 1-4, Charlie gave me a completely painted body and deck-frame assembly. The end grabs, hood grabs, and the railings had not been installed. Charlie wanted me to power it up, add the details and constant lighting. I was somewhat skeptical about the Mashima #MT10LP 26:1 gearmotor. It looked pretty small. Would it provide enough torque and would it run slow enough? I recently completed an Adirondack Car & foundry GE /Alco boxcab kit and powered it with a NWSL double-shafted motor and couplings, 32:1 gear boxes, and Grandt Line sprockets and chains. The NWSL drive albeit being somewhat noisy - perhaps due to my workmanship - is a real stump puller. 5 I hooked up the Q-Car gearmotor to a MRC supply and was pleasantly surprised. It ran in both directions so quietly I could hardly hear it. Voila! A gearmotor that eliminates shaft-coupling to gear boxes and it’s truck-mounted. What a super-neat package (Photo 5). Will it provide as much torque as the NWSL system? No, but two of these gearmotors, safely weighted to prevent current overloads, should be an easy to install underbody drive for many small Diesel projects. And with the Q-Car spring-wound coupling to the un-driven wheelsets, you have eight-wheel drive. I began construction with the trucks. They are not sprung but they do provide equalization. We’d decided the trucks should have eight-wheel pickup - best for sneaking past the occasional dead frog or dirty spots on the rails. I cut off the 0.060” square brass tubing cross-members that were soldered to the ends of the sideframes. I assume these were meant to hold the sideframes together while in transit. While checking the sideframe’s profile against the prototype drawing, I noted the extensions on the ends would need to be nipped off. The sideframes are white metal and can be cut with a side cutter or Zona saw. After the unwanted ends were removed, I squared up the corners with a small flat file and then with the same file, carefully radiused the corners to match the MR drawing. I next did a trial assembly of the trucks to check for fit and equalization. To mount the sideframes there are large cylindrical bosses on the inside faces that slide into mating holes in the truck bolster. The sideframes are retained to the bolsters with 2-56 screws. My sideframe bosses fit so tightly in the bolsters they were almost a press fit. They would not move at all. Using a long rattail file, I carefully filed each bolster opening, test fitting along the way to achieve what an old machinist friend of mine terms a “snick-fit”. I also had to open up the 2-56 screw holes in the sideframe bosses. Easy does it! You want just enough clearance to allow the sideframes to pivot about their retaining screws just a few degrees either way to equalize the trucks when operating over uneven trackage. Too much clearance between the screw holes and the retaining screws and you’ll have what I call a bag of marbles instead of a working truck. As shown in Photo 5, the Mashima power truck comes with a 33” steel wheelset and its own special bolster that also retains the gearmotor. The bolster has a 1” long 2-56 brass mounting screw permanently attached. Due to the height of the gearmotor, the bolster is unusually high (though this did not pose a problem in the installation). I simply removed the deep styrene bolsters Charlie had originally installed on the underframe and replaced them with much shallower 3/32” deep bolsters. Note on the power truck all four wheels are powered via a wound spring belt drive between the two wheelsets. The height of the unpowered truck bolster is much lower. To enable common frame bolsters and truck retention, I glued ¼” wide styrene strips to the top of the un-powered truck bolster with CA and added a 0.030” thick washer so that the height of the un-powered truck bolster matched the height of the powered truck bolster. Then I drilled through the styrene to clear a 1” long 2-56 screw that I glued to the underside of the bolster. Now both truck bolsters had the same mounting system and height. With the two trucks built up but sans their electrical pickups, I drilled 2-56 clearance holes in the deck and styrene body bolsters for the truck mounted retaining screws. I set the trucks on the rails, dropped the frame onto the trucks, and checked the deck-to-rail height. Spot on! I got out my Kadee® coupler height jig, set it on the rails, and checked Charlie’s coupler pad heights. The coupler pads were exactly the correct height. How Charlie did that aboard a rolling ship in a tiny stateroom and without a jig is beyond me. I attached the couplers with one screw per coupler by drilling and tapping a 2-56 hole into the pads. I drilled 2-56 clearance holes through the deck for the other two centerline coupler screws. These two screws retain the couplers and the loco body to the frame. I also added ¼” thick styrene blocks to the insides of the hood ends. These blocks were drilled and tapped 2-56 6 Mar/Apr ’09 - O Scale Trains • 11 to accept the screws that hold the body to the underframe. That done it was time to add the truck’s electrical pickups. Before I measured the wheelset’s spacing and laid out the pickups on Walthers 0.010” phosphor bronze sheet, I added mounting bosses to both truck bolsters (Photo 6). These are simply 1/4” square styrene pads that are glued to the tops of the truck bolsters and drilled and tapped for Walthers 2-56 nylon screws. The bosses should be at least 1/8” deep to provide adequate thread retention. The pickup pattern was laid out on paper and then I transferred the dimensions to the 0.010” phosphor bronze sheet. I used an old pair of scissors to cut the bronze sheet. Red motor leads were soldered to the pickups before I attached them to the bolsters. I left these leads 7-8” long. I trimmed them after the truck and lighting wiring was run up into the body. A bit of bending and tweaking was required to position the pickup tabs on the inside faces of the insulated side of the wheelsets. There shouldn’t be any undue side pressure. The strips should just graze the wheelsets. The other side of the power comes up from the uninsulated wheelsets into the metal truck bolsters, and then to the gearmotor. I soldered black leads to the white metal bolsters. Make sure the red leads do not contact the truck bolsters or you’ll have a dead short. That’s why I used nylon screws. Since the underframe bolsters and the underframe itself are both styrene, there is no chance of a short circuit there. I had to remove a bit of the body bolster material to allow for truck swing and to clear the pickup’s nylon screw heads. Detailing The handrails and grabs were next (Photos 7 - 8). I used 0.030” brass wire for the handrails which is a bit heavy. 0.020” wire would look better, but with 0-5-0 handling the heavier wire makes sense. I laid out the railings on a clean piece of 1 x 8 pine, using the Model Railroader drawing as a guide. While I use ordinary 60-40 rosin core solder from the hardware store for all of my electrical soldering, as far as I’m concerned, the best solder for handrailings is Tix solder sticks and liquid brush-on flux. I used a small 39-watt soldering iron. Just touching the tip of the iron to a joint along with a stick of the Tix solder completes the joint. It couldn’t be simpler. Just be sure you brush on the Tix flux before you heat the wire. Walthers carries it if you cannot find it locally. I spotted the handrail locations on the deck and then drilled the holes with a #69 bit, which gave me a nice tight fit for the posts into the deck. I left the vertical posts and the horizontal railings where they plug into the body about 1/8” too 9 7 8 long. The vertical railings were glued with CA to the underside of the deck after they were installed. The extensions were trimmed off after the glue kicked. I drilled #69 holes where the horizontal rails join the cab ends. These locations have to be marked on the body and then drilled. In Photo 9, you can see how I attached the handrails to the deck and the Tichy/CMA bronze wire straight grabs to the end sills. The same grabs were attached to the hood ends per the photos Charlie provided. The vertical handrails are painted white per Milwaukee Road practice in the fifties. I tried every model paint known to man and none of them gave an opaque white finish. In desperation I broke out a quart can of Ace Hardware exterior gloss white acrylic enamel. Using a very fine brush, I hand painted the end railings. One coat covered them beautifully. Yes, the paint is thick and no, it doesn’t clump if you keep the brush clean and flow it on very lightly (it cleans and thins with water). I wouldn’t paint a car with it, but for small white areas I’ll certainly use it again. The couplers and trucks were also installed at this time. 12 • O Scale Trains - Mar/Apr ’09 Wiring and Lighting I added a Miniatronics two-pin polarized connector between the loco body and the frame to allow easy access to the lighting circuit and the truck mounting screws and nuts. I soldered the red leads from both trucks directly to the red lead of the Mashima gearmotor. The black power leads from both trucks were soldered together and then brought up through a hole in the center of the deck and soldered to one lead of the female side of a Miniatronics two-pin polarized connector. The gearmotor’s black lead was brought up through the hole in the deck and soldered to the other lead on the female connector. I used heat-shrink tubing to encap- 11 10 sulate the leads and to keep everything neat. I installed a forward bright/reverse dim Miniatronics lighting kit in the loco body. I soldered the two leads on the male side of the Miniatronics connector to the leads of the lighting module and then stuck the module to the interior of the cab with the double-sided tape that came with the kit. I retained the lamp leads in their respective headlamps with Walthers Goo. I connected the two halves of the Miniatronics lighting connector and then attached the body to the underframe with two 2-56 screws and it was time for a test run (Photo 10). The little loco ran like a jewel, very quietly and slow enough that I was able to couple to a boxcar without even moving the car. The lighting worked great, although I could see the little critter was definitely going to need some additional weight before it could be put to work shifting cars. In Photo 11 you can see the lead wheel weights under the frame and the truck wiring routed up into the body. The locomotive is weighted to one pound. On the flat and through 48” curves it will easily move 6-7 plastic cars and draws about .25 amps. On sharper curves it needs a shot of throttle due to the extra drag of the curved rails. Q-Car didn’t list a maximum current draw for this gearmotor, but with a motor this small I think 0.25 amps is probably approaching the maximum safe limit. This is a great little loco and I’m honored to have played a part in its completion. The 1700 is hard at work now shuffling cars on Charlie’s layout. Now I just have to decide what loco I’m going to build next. Maybe a GE 70-tonner? Stay tuned… Bill of Materials: Q-Car Mashima #MT10LP 26:1 gearmotor with special bolster and 33” wheelset. Q-Car #G. E. 95 84” wheelbase sideframes. Q-Car Unpowered truck bolster and 33” wheelsets. Miniatronics two-pin polarized connector. Miniatronics Forward Bright/Reverse/Dim lighting kit. Sheet, tube, and strip styrene. u JD’s Trains Exclusive Heavyweight Custom Runs Coming Fall 2009 Golden Gate Depot 80’ Heavyweight Coaches in FIVE new roadnames: Chicago & Northwestern, Nickel Plate Road, Rock Island, Seaboard & Southern Each car will be painted Pullman Green with a black roof and underframe, all lettering will be gold. Visit www.jdstrains.com to see photos of each roadname. Reserve today as only 10 sets will be made per roadname. Just $475/4 Car Set (2 & 3 Rail) Be sure to visit us at the Chicago March Meet! JD’s Trains, Inc. 9648 Olive Blvd #384 St. Louis, MO 63132 Phone: 314-409-4451, Email: [email protected] JD’s Trains Mar/Apr ’09 - O Scale Trains • 13 P&D Hobby Shop 31280 Groesbeck, Fraser, MI 48026 Voice: 586-296-6116 • Fax: 586-296-5642 Open Mon-Fri 10-8 • Sat 10-6, Sun 12-5 www.pdhobbyshop.com For All Your O Scale Needs Power/Repower Kits for Red Caboose GPs from $160. P&D F Units Powered A Units - $289 Call Now! 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Grade Crossing Signal Set Grade Crossing Signal Set CS-2 Grade Crossing Signal Set includes: CS-2A Signal withCrossing flat cap Signal and basic mast support CS-2 Grade Set includes: CS-2B Signal with bell support CS-2A Signal with flatcap capand and junction basic mastbox support AWS-1 Advanced Warning Signs (X2) CS-2B Signal with bell cap and junction box support WPS-1 Whistle Post Signs (X2) AWS-1 Advanced Warning Signs (X2) GCF-1 Flasher/Detector WPS-1 Whistle Post Signs (X2) GCF-1 Flasher/Detector $69.95 plus $6.95 S/H in the continental U.S. Custom Signals $69.95 plus $6.95 S/H inwww.customsignals.com the continental U.S. 27 Gellatly Drive (877) 523-3236 Custom Falls, Signals Wappingers NY 12590www.customsignals.com phone/fax 27 Gellatly Drive Wappingers Falls, NY 12590 14 • O Scale Trains - Mar/Apr ’09 (877) 523-3236 phone/fax The Art of Finescale Michael Cougill What year is this? that way but I don’t, at least not anymore. I grew up in a small town during the ‘60s and have tons of great memories of forty-foot boxcars and other steam era rolling stock that were I don’t think we’re in the 1990’s anymore Dorothy. Those of you who have followed this column for a while (there is at least one person I know of, but I’m married to her) will remember that I’ve said I’m modeling the modern era. As emphatically and as many times as I’ve said that, observant eyes will notice that every time rolling stock appears in my layout photos, they’re from the transition era. Further evidence in the form of the Wabash single-sheathed boxcar project mentioned in issue #41, also suggests something is fishy era-wise. So, what’s going on here? Well, it’s time to come clean and confess that the choice of modeling era on the I&W has changed. I’ll be drifting back in time to the 1960s. When I started building the layout, I wanted to model a modern day shortline based on one in nearby Brookville, IN. The one thing that really stands in the way of doing that to my satisfaction is (get the moans ready) P48 roller bearing trucks. They are just too hard to come by. A couple of sources have hinted they would do a run, but that may be several years off, if ever. So, what does a guy do in the mean time? I could use replacement wheelsets in the Standard O truck frames as a stop-gap. I’ve tried that with limited success. Given that the trucks are often hard to see, even on a chest high layout like mine, what’s the problem? Nothing really. I just wasn’t satisfied with the results or the performance. The more I learn about freight cars, both vintage and modern, the more demanding I’ve become toward my modeling. There is always going to be a compromise of some sort. The question one has to answer is: How much of a compromise am I willing to accept? Since trucks and wheels are so basic to a model’s appearance and operation, for me, the compromise was too much. Is the era shift a second choice option? Some might see it still plentiful during that decade. The photo above shows an N&W boxcar spotted at the grain elevator in Centerville, IN about a block from my parents’ house. I don’t recall the date this was taken (it may have been the early ‘70s.), but the cut down ladders and missing running board on the roof are strong clues to go by. Joe and I have been trying to figure out what class of car this was for the N&W and we’re closing in on it. The neat thing for me is that it’s sitting on a pair of National type B-1 trucks. I have a pair from Rich Yoder just begging for a car body of some kind and this N&W boxcar seems like a good candidate. In addition to easier freight car modeling, the layout’s operations will also be enhanced in that more, and often smaller industries (such as local grain elevators), were still served by rail in the ‘60s than are today. For the layout this means that a feed mill that is now abandoned can be re-activated for occasional car loadings. That’s a plus on a small layout like mine. My Red Caboose Geep will be right at home in the new era with a new basic black paint job. While I may have to rethink the operations and overall concept a bit, I don’t foresee anything that can’t be overcome under the cureall banner of freelancing. I don’t yet know if I’ll nail down the era to a specific year or not. Is this what one does when there’s no more layout to build? It could be. There are a lot of things to consider and research in an era change like this but that’s part of the fun of the hobby, isn’t it? I still like the idea of a modern day shortline in P48 and I’ll continue to lobby for the production of P48 roller bearing trucks. Who knows, maybe I’ll have to have two eras to keep things interesting. u Mar/Apr ’09 - O Scale Trains • 15 More Kits from B.T.S. ! American Flag Company The trapezoid shape, exterior stair case, loading dock, roof-top billboard & water tank, positionable windows and doors, and brass & pewter detail castings make this laser-cut craftsman kit a ‘must have’ for any layout. Figures, signs, interior floors and walls, and grade crossing components are all included as well as a removable roof. Approx. footprint - 73’ x 40’ (at the wide end) #18108 $ 299.95 McCabe Planing Shed The McCabe Lumber Co. Planing Shed complex consists of the transfer shed, two planing buildings, boiler house, water tank, and loads of details, and is a key part of the Slatyfork Sawmill Complex. The Planing Shed can also be used as a stand-alone manufacturing industry such as a box factory. This kit consists of laser-cut basswood, plywood, and cardstock, tarpaper roofing, brass, urethane, and white-metal detail castings, and loads of character. The tabbed, well-engineered construction provides fast and easy assembly. The footprint is about 70' x 90'. New in O Scale! #19201 #18225 $449.95 The Evans Gondola $ 99.95 MEC (#12720 $7.95) and CNW (#12721 $5.95) decals are available. In 1975, the Southern Iron and Equipment Co. started building a 52'-6", 100-ton gondola. Evans took over SIECO and continued building the cars through December 1981. A total of 1,730 cars were built with three minor body variations. This model represents the second, and most common, version of the car. The unpainted kit consists of highquality, no-odor urethane castings for the one-piece body and separate frame, hidden weights, and brass & white metal brake components. Easy assembly with ACC or epoxy. Less decals, trucks, and couplers. www.btsrr.com Shipping - $5.00/order in the US 304-823-3729 All Scale Catalog - $5.00 Celebrating 30 Years of Service since 1979 Locomotive Evolution With the latest production models from GE & EMD becoming commonplace on the nation’s Class 1 rail systems, we are seeing an era of evolution, the evolution series of Diesel locomotives. The ES4400 AC or DC from General Electric and the SD70ACe from Electro-motive are the new kids on the block. They are distinctive from their previous versions due to the raised height of the carbody with all possible connections for air, fuel and electrical being mounted on the outside of the frame or underneath the walkway instead of inside the long hood. Along with carbody changes, (this is the part of the upgrade that is visible) improvements go much deeper from the prime mover and its efficiency and performance to overall electrical and tractive effort upgrades. As O Scale modelers this translates into some new and different Diesels that we can add to our locomotive roster. In times past, the fact that modern Diesel power was either unavailable or out of my price range caused me to model in a more popular scale simply due to availability of what I wanted to model. Today, that is not the case. With brass models still at the top of the list in regards to detail, performance and cost, the manufacturers that produce plastic and die-cast models are gaining ground in the marketplace at a rapid pace. For proof, take a look and read the review on the MTH 8-40C in this issue. If you’ve been involved in O Scale 2-Rail a minimum of 10 years or longer then you remember or own some of MTH’s 2-Rail limited production locomotives that were available in the late 1990s. I have two: an SD60-M in CSX paint and a BN SD70 in executive colors. These were both a basically correct SD60 Body with China Drive, 2-Rail wheels and the same fuel tank and detail parts used on the 3-Rail version minus the electronics. The differences between the two were the truck side frame castings and the paint jobs and that was it. Over the last few years, I have seen other models produced by MTH in 2-Rail that I did not know about. At the time I purchased my MTH models, I was tickled pink to have them because there was nothing else like these (except brass) in the marketplace. By today’s standards most modelers wouldn’t give these models a second look on a display table. Now I would probably be considered a member of that group. There was a time in O Scale when economical plastic models were produced only by MTH, Weaver and Lionel, and even then sometimes a 2-Rail conversion was required. For a number of years now Atlas O has set the standard for O Scale models in their level of quality and detail, and we have come to expect that same level of quality and detail in all mass-produced models. The MTH 8-40C review is my first hands on experience with one of their locomotives in years. Currently its proprietary DCS control is its only flaw, especially if you are using any other type control system other than DCS. That is supposed to change this next year. With DCC compatibility and the current quality and attention to details, MTH should elevate its competitive status to that of the Atlas O Gold Line. Having converted several of their Premiere Line cars to 2-Rail in the past, a factory offering of scale cars with 2-Rail trucks and wheelsets, plus coupler pockets that accept Kadee couplers would, I think, go over well in the 2-Rail marketplace. The 8-40C started me on a research mission of MTH Diesels, the ES-4400 DC is produced in BNSF livery but the SD70ACe is not. A set of Microscale decals and a custom paint job would solve that problem. An SD70ACe was ordered and arrived in MRL colors, it is currently operating on the layout in DC mode but it, along with the ES-4400 DC when it arrives, will be converted to DCC control and sound, along with several remaining TMCC diesels. Some readers are probably thinking: why go to this much trouble? Simple answer: it’s my desire to have models of the GE & EMD locomotives I work on each and every trip operating on my layout. Although what I would like to have is not available ready-to-run out of the box, I can achieve my goal at a reasonable cost with a little work and effort. That’s just part of being a model railroader; if you can’t get it ready-torun, then build it. So stay tuned for this and other locomotive projects in the works. As work is completed, I’ll cover the results here in OST and hopefully one of the projects might be your inspiration to start on that locomotive of your own. Oh by the way, MTH staff, an 8-40CW in a Santa Fe Redbird scheme, or BNSF Heritage scheme could probably find itself a home on the Alco Belt. u Mar/Apr ’09 - O Scale Trains • 17 Looking For A Mentor The cause of this letter is in response to your editorial and your desire to bring more “younger people” into the hobby and O Scale in particular. I have been interested in O Scale since 2001-2002 when I was a member (briefly) of the Denver O Scale club in the basement of Union Station. Needless to say, I was probably one of the youngest members. Since relocating back to Pennsylvania in 2003, I have not had the opportunity to do any modeling for a variety of reasons, but I know that one is that I don’t feel “prepared” to work in O Scale, and I know that there are many excellent resources in this part of the country. OST is right down the road near Philly, and many vendors listed in the magazine are in PA, NJ, MD, and VA. I even had the opportunity last year (or was it the year before) to go to the Estate auction for the late Mr. John Armstrong. I regret that I did not buy that Hi-Cube Hershey’s boxcar. As a 41 year old man, I realize that I am not the “younger people” that you hope to attract, but I would love to meet with and receive guidance and wisdom from some of the more experienced O Scalers who would be willing to share their knowledge. Donald J. Dissinger, via e-mail Mike replies: Don, in O Scale young is a relative term. We’re always happy to welcome new converts to the scale. Are there any readers in Don’s area willing to help out a newbie? Reader Wants To Know... The current issue has a couple of great articles but I was especially interested in Don Smith’s story, Street Level Rails. The modeling is superb and the workmanship topnotch. The cover and the centerspread are great photographs too. I would really like to know if Don handcrafted the building fire escapes or are they a commercially available product? Any information you can provide would be greatly appreciated. Bob Garrelts, Tarpon Springs, FL Traction “Trouble” I want you to know how much “trouble” Roger Parker gets me into every time he does his column. As a new person to scratchbuilding trolleys, I think it would be a very good idea to do a story on the basic features and equipment on a trolley. Why a pole instead of a pantograph? How about an update on Labelle? I have heard some of LaBelle’s kits are now available as laser-cut, but which ones? I get the most bang for my buck through your Traction Action column. Thanks. Jim Bengert, via e-mail Joe replies: Jim, you can contact LaBelle by email at info@ labellemodels.com Challenged Again Thank you for challenging me with your articles on kit building rather than settling for RTR models. You have rekindled an enjoyable part of [model] railroading for me. I have always built my own bridges no matter what scale I was into at the time. How that I am back full circle in O Scale 2-Rail I can't get enough of these kits like Quality Craft and others found on eBay. They look great on my scratchbuilt bridges. Wilbert Prattis, PA Joe replies: Wilbert, send us some photos of your bridges. $21.99 $21.99 $21.99 $21.99 175 Sheffield Dr. #100 Delmont, PA 15626-1723 Tel: (724)468-3106 Fax: (724)468-3879 www.scenicexpress.com 18 • O Scale Trains - Mar/Apr ’09 Request FREE 224 page catalog with order or send $5.00 to cover postage Add $8.49 Shipping & handling - PA residents add 6% State Sales Tax. Mar/Apr ’09 - O Scale Trains • 19 20 • O Scale Trains - Mar/Apr ’09 A Signal System For The Alco Belt - Part 1 Gene Clements Introduction You’re the engineer on empty Coal Train E-PAMNAM301A, onboard BNSF #8810, an SD70MAC. You are at MP694 and in #4 Dynamic drawing 26kbs of braking force running on a clear signal. Traveling at 40mph you’re in the process of slowing down for the 30 mph curve ahead. As you round the curve at North Jasper, this is what you see: A clear signal on the NS Interlocking and Intermediate north of the interlocker (Photo 1). end of the siding are named “North & South Adamsville” respectively. Photo 2 shows the control point at “North Benoit”. The north and southbound mainline signals are mast type search- 2 1 light signals with the southbound signal in the distance having two signal heads. The top head applies to the mainline and the lower one to the diverging route. The northbound siding signal is a dwarf located to the left of the siding. Dwarf signals are usually found where there may be a clearance This scenario is typical for train crews operating over CTC issue with passing rail equipment. Notice too the equipment territory across this nation every day. These signals instruct the bungalow in the distance. The bungalow has a sign mounted on the building with the name “North Benoit” identifying this crew as to what’s ahead and how their train should be operated. Anything less than strict compliance with signal aspects location. While most signals are mounted on a mast or tower and and the operating rules can result in a tragic collision, causcan contain multiple signal heads (Photo 3), they can also be ing tremendous property damage and injury or death. mounted on a concrete base low to the ground. These low to Signal systems came about many years ago as a means of moving multiple trains over a section of railroad in a safe and the ground signals are called dwarf signals and are no differeffective manner. The three-color signal system: red, yellow 3 and green, share a similar meaning with our highway traffic laws. The railroad’s rules go into more detail concerning these color aspects in relation to their placement, use and meaning. Make any of these three colors flash and you create a whole new set of aspects, rules and responses. The addition of a number or milepost plate to a signal changes it from an Absolute to a Permissive Signal. The difference? A red aspect on a Permissive signal means stop. After stopping, you may proceed at restricted speed. A red aspect on an Absolute Signal means stop. You can only pass this signal once you have authority to do so from the Signals Control Operator, or you get a more favorable aspect that allows you to move. In CTC territory the location of control points is usually ent from their taller counterparts in regards to their aspects or given a name and identified in the timetable for the territory. meaning. Dwarf signals are usually found where there may For example, the small town I live in is called Adamsville. The BNSF runs through the town and has a controlled siding, be a clearance issue with passing rail equipment. Signal aspects and meaning do get complicated on protowhich is named after the town. With operations being in a type systems, but for the purpose of designing and installing north–south direction, the two turnout control points on each Mar/Apr ’09 - O Scale Trains • 21 a functional three color signal system on an O Scale home or club layout, I’ll try to keep it simple and relate my expertise as a model railroader instead of a prototype engineer. Plan With the introduction of the Atlas O 21st Century Signal System components, plus multi-head “SA” signals and accessories from Custom Signals, the plan is to use current sensing detectors from NCE to create a type “SA” Searchlight Signal System for my layout that would handle bi-directional train movements on the mainline tracks and also include the sidings and other mainline access points from the yard or industry tracks. I intend to include some type “D” signals once they become available (Photo 4), as this would create a model of the system that I operate by while on the BNSF. As a source of reference, take a look at the review of the Custom Sig- 4 nals multi-head searchlight signals on page 53 of OST #31, March/April 2007 and their Tumble Down Control-1, Turnout Signal Controller-2 and Block Signal Flasher-3 control boards reviewed on page 56 of OST #32, May/June 2007. The control boards for the 21st Century system are modular and designed for use in conjunction with each other. They are, for lack of a better descriptive term, plug and play and the signals will change color aspects as the train moves through the system. For APB signaling, you may add a Tumble Down Control board to override the appropriate signal boards as needed. To make a color aspect flash, such as a flashing red means Restricted, a flashing yellow: Advanced Approach and flashing green: Limited Proceed, you can install a Block Signal Flasher board (BSF) for the specific signal head and install a Turnout Signal Controller (TSC) to display the proper aspect for a diverging route at a turnout. With a plan in mind for the project, it’s time to move to the design phase. Design With no two layouts being identical, I’ll relate the design process for my layout, the Alco Belt, in the hope that parts or all of this process will work for you. If you are designing your future layout, now is the best time to design your signal sys- 22 • O Scale Trains - Mar/Apr ’09 tem. If your layout is under construction, or complete to the point of doing finished scenery, you can still include a signal system. It’s never too late. Experience has taught me to keep detailed notes and records on the current layout, especially the electrical system. The Alco Belt was originally a conventional DC layout with common rail wiring to track blocks that could be turned on or off by a SPDT switch mounted on a track diagram display. When 2-Rail TMCC came out, I converted the layout into three separate power districts by separating the common rail and installing two new common circuits. I decided to keep the conventional DC system and installed DPDT switches for each power district so I could switch either one or all districts from DC to TMCC. The original block wiring stayed the same and this allowed me to turn individual blocks on or off in either mode of operation. Then along came DCC. One by one the power districts were converted by removing the TMCC. An existing block in the Diesel shop was designated as the programming track, which can be switched between the program function and standard operation via a DPDT switch. The ability to turn individual blocks on or off remained in place as before, and is now a key element in installing the NCE current sensing detectors that will function as the heart of the signal system. Current sensing detectors are the preferred means of block detection for layouts where constant voltage is supplied to the track, such as DCC, TMCC or DCS command and control. (Check out Ted Byrne’s article: Block Detection in O Scale. Sept/Oct. 2008 OST.) Current sensing detectors will work on conventional DC systems but only after the throttle is turned up to supply a locomotive or lighted car, thereby giving the detector a source of current that it can detect. If there is not a source of current, you can get a false indication showing the block is clear when it is actually occupied. As a result of this possibility, you may want to consider optical or other sensors if you intend to retain conventional DC control. Having covered the basic principals for the design, it’s time to drag out pencil and paper, CAD system or layout design software on your computer. The first step is to draw a simple version of your layout showing every track that you intend to signal. On this or a separate drawing, lay out the electrical blocks of your track for your proposed signal system. Once you have this done you can start placing signals to guide trains and their operators through your railroad according to prototype practice. Each signal from Atlas O and Custom Signals comes with a manual that explains the possible uses for the signal and includes different design and placement suggestions as well as controller connections. If you’re uncertain where signals should be located, observe the prototype or check the Track Configuration Library and Signaling Section of the Custom Signals website [www.customsignals.com]. If you find yourself stumped over a signal scenario, feel free to e-mail Terry Christopher of Custom Signals at [TerryC@customsignals. com] or call Terry at 1-845-592-1302. Terry will do custom Signal Installation designs for a nominal fee. While designing the system for my layout, I decided to relocate my mainline control panel. I drew a pattern to fit the size of the new panel and I decided to use this drawing as the master signal plan, and make additional smaller drawings for each control point (See Figures 1-5). These smaller drawings Fig. 1 Master Signal Plan are done on standard letter sized paper and will be inserted into a master electrical book for the layout where any notes, revisions and relevant updates can be added as the project goes along. This will save a lot of time in tracking down a problem or making a change as the installation progresses. I’m now at a point where I know how many blocks will require detection, and how many and what type of signals and control boards are needed. In the case of my layout, Fig. 2 Fig. 4 Fig. 3 Fig. 5 Mar/Apr ’09 - O Scale Trains • 23 there will be 26 blocks requiring detectors that will control 6 7 80 three-color signal heads on 35- Atlas #6932 Type SA, Single Head Searchlight Signals, 15- C&S #SL-45 Dual Head Searchlight Signals and 5- C&S #SL-55 Triple Head Searchlight Signals. Not all of these will be mast signals. #SL-11 or #SL-12 Dwarf signals will be used where necessary due to clearance issues and the number needed will be determined as #1 and #2 respectively. I go along. Dual head signals will be used at turnouts to Once operational, I’ll do an cover both the mainline and diverging route movements. evaluation on the progress Triple head signals will be used the same as dual head sigfor the next article of this 8 nals, except their application will apply when more than series. a single diverging route is involved. Also several tumble Stay tuned for the next down, turnout and flasher control boards will be used to installment, which will make this system function according to plan. cover installing signals, wirSince I now know the basics of the system, it’s time ing up the control boards, for a few other considerations. I will need a master board plus the detectors and large enough to hold the 80 control boards plus the tumpower supply. I’ll give you bledown, turnout and flasher boards. These will be placed a straight up account of the in a central location under the layout that will be easy to work in progress, as well access and allow a minimum of wiring to interconnect as the pros and cons and the boards and detectors into a working system. Modular specialty tools needed for a extension wires will be used to connect the signals at their project of this caliber. Until permanent locations to their respective control boards. then, may all your signals With the primary control panel relocated, I will now be be clear. u able to add a dispatcher for possible multiple operators (Photo 6 ). For one-person operation, everything is easily accessible (Photo 7). A new master cabinet for the DC & DCC base units was constructed and located close to the new primary control panel. This will clean-up some of the old wiring and match the home built bookcases around the layout’s perimeter (Photo “Quality for the Craftsman” 8). O SCALE LOGGING CAMP KIT 004 With some of the remodeling $61.98 complete and relocation of the conIncludes: color coded USA wood, sheet brass, trol panel in progress, it’s time to start SHIPPING hook, windows Baldwin Forge & Machine $4.02 ordering the necessary parts to get and pulley blocks. this project off the drawing board Box 5, Baldwin MD 21013 12” x 14” (logs not space included) and into the construction phase. Stub How can we help you? Custom machine required Main tracks #3 and #4 will be the work, 3-R to 2-R conversions for steam, first segments to be completed. With diesel or electric. Driver castings CA RESIDENTS add $5.11 tax only 3 track blocks each, they will machined. General repairs to O Scale locomotives. Call Joe, evenings 7 to 9 PM. be the simplest to set-up and create Catalog $2.00 (refundable) a lead in Control Point for Mains P.O. Box 700 Artesia, CA 90702 410-592-5275 or [email protected] BF&M ™ ™ www.suncoast-models.com Dealer Inquiries Invited 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. Ames, IA 50014 24 • O Scale Trains - Mar/Apr ’09 http://RailsUnlimited.ribbonrail.com/ email: [email protected] “We take time to give you full service” Unique O Scale models • Urethane cars; 40’ & 50’ boxcars, reefers, stock cars, milk cars, pickle car & circus cars. Full Service O Scale Dealer • Kits, DCC & Sound Supplies Books: new & out of print • Darkroom Services • Railroad Photos Model Railroad Sales & Service NEW! Wagontop Boxcar & Gons for PRR and SAL Ted Schnepf 126 Will Scarlet Elgin Il 60120-9524 847-697-5353 or 847-697-5366 CHICAGO “O” SCALE MEET March 2Oth - 22nd 2009 Setup, Friday March 20th (only for pre-registered table holders and helpers) Sheraton Chicago Northwest Hotel Show registration – write or email 3400 West Euclid Avenue MARCH MEET – PO BOX 333 Arlington Heights, Illinois 60005 Park Ridge, Il 60068 847-401-4333 1-888-627-8093 Ask for the Chicago O Scale Rate WWW.MARCHMEET.NET BUY, SELL, TRADE, CLINICS, LAYOUT TOURS & MORE! Considered the best O Scale show of the year------Limited tables available--------Register early for your preprinted badge 11 Years in business specializing in DCC & Sound! Battery & Track Powered O • On30 • On3 • Fn3 • G • #1 6997 CR 5, Ridgway CO 81432 • 970-626-3733 www.rgsrrhobbies.com Precision Turntables for the Discerning Modeler FEATURING PRO-DEXTM INFRA-RED POSITIONING & DYNAMIC BRAKING Now it’s easy & exciting to operate prototypically: 1. Select direction 2. Push run button 3. Watch bridge advance to any of 48 positions, then slow & lock on desired track when you release button! AAA PRECISION TURNTABLES • • • • Heavy-duty museum-quality construction Realistic operation! Painted and ready to run Manufactured in all scales from Z to G and all bridge sizes on a per order basis • Mfg in U.S.A. by skilled machinists using CNC precision parts. Hand assembled & tested • Call for specs or visit our website PO Box 64, Plantsville, CT 06479, USA 1-800-569-1423 • www.AAATurntables.com Mar/Apr ’09 - O Scale Trains • 25 Traction Action Roger C. Parker Pacific Electric Los Angeles Elevated Terminal Junction Consider adding an upper level to your downtown terminal! I recently noticed a Pacific Electric photograph with great modeling potential while thumbing through Donald Duke’s excellent West Coast Interurbans: California, recently published by Golden West Books. The photograph documents the junction where the upper level tracks of the Pacific Electric’s Los Angeles terminal joins street trackage. This junction would make a great addition to any traction layout. It opens up numerous modeling possibilities for both new layouts and adding visual and operating interest to existing layouts. Like all of the layout “centerpieces,” or modules I have been exploring during the past few years, the junction and upper level trackage can be as simple or complex as desired. Modeling the PE Junction The junction itself is very simple. Located at the bottom of the ramp leading to the upper level trackage, the junction is basically a “T” intersection, or looked at another way, one-half of a Grand Union. Trains traveling in either direction on street level trackage can proceed through the junction in either direction, or proceed up the two-track ramp to the upper level platforms. Likewise, trains descending the ramp can turn either left or right. Although the junction opens up numerous possibilities, it is relatively simple, requiring only 4 turnouts and two crossings. All that’s needed to model the junction are a pair of wye switches, a pair of matching-radius left and right-hand turnouts, and two crossings. To operate the junction, only 3 of the turnouts need to be powered: the wye turnout on the descending ramp, and the street-switch left and right-hand turnouts. The remaining turnout (on the “up” track of the grade) will take care of itself. Modeling Options, Stage 1 One of the nice aspects of the Pacific Electric junction is the ability to model it in stages. In the first stage the junction would be modeled, but only the first few feet of the ramp tracks would be completed. All trains on the street level would pass through the junction. At this stage it would primarily add visual interest and the sound of car wheels passing through the turnouts and crossings. A non-operating junction could be added to narrow modules or shelf layouts. If a few feet of the ramp were modeled, static trains could be shown ascending or descending the ramp trackage. This would provide a space to display excess rolling stock right from the start. Alternately, if a modeler had experience painting layout backgrounds, the ramp and second level could initially be painted on the background! Modeling Options, Stage 2 Another option would be to simulate the upper level terminal 26 • O Scale Trains - Mar/Apr ’09 by creating an upper level loop. The loop could be either visible or hidden behind adjacent buildings or scenery. In either case, some, but not all, street level trolleys would proceed up the ramp to enter the hidden staging area or immediately turn around and descend the ramp. One of the nice things about the loop idea is that no additional turnouts would be required, unless you wanted to include a passing siding or holding area on the loop. If you’re short for space and have negotiated the right to “tunnel through” the walls in your layout room, you could even place level to shorter, more frequent locals. Your reason for this, of course, would be to eliminate blocked street level traffic at grade crossings and intersections. Finally, if you already have a lot of rolling stock lettered for the primary line you model, you could restrict the upper level trackage to one or more foreign lines that rent trackage rights from you. Inspiration Everywhere Perhaps the biggest lesson of this column is the ability of a single photograph to provide inspiration for years of modeling pleasure. The first few times I read and reread Donald Duke’s West Coast Interurbans: California I hadn’t paid any attention to the junction photograph. It was only about 6 months after I purchased the book that I first paid serious attention to the junction trackage, and began to appreciate the numerous modeling and operating possibilities it suggests. The lesson? One photograph can launch years of modeling and operating pleasure! We should all be thankful for the numerous, high-quality traction books we can choose from as traction modelers. u www.modelbuildingservices.com Kit-bashed Korber Models Grain Elevator Kit the loop in an adjacent room. (You’d want to include some sort of signaling or track occupancy lights to protect out-of-sight trains on the loop, of course.) Modeling Options, Stage 3 The upper level of the Pacific Electric’s Los Angeles terminal included 4 stub end tracks. These tracks were capable of handling the long, multi-car, trains typical of the Pacific Electric at its peak. The third option could be delayed a year or two down the road. In this case, you would complete the ramp and model the upper level terminal trackage and platforms. This would add a great deal of operating flexibility and, most importantly, storage space for your rolling stock. Writing Your Own “Story” The idea of a 2-level terminal introduces numerous creative and operational options. You could segregate traffic between the street level and upper level. For example, you could use one level exclusively for freight motors, railway post office cars, and package express shipments, and the other level for passenger trains. Or you could restrict the upper level to long distance trains and restrict the lower Model Building Services Models built by Stu Gralnik 264 Marret Rd • Lexington MA 02421 Ph: 781-860-0554 [email protected] Assembled buildings from any manufacturer’s kit. Kitbashed, painted and detailed... “Just Like Real!” Mar/Apr ’09 - O Scale Trains • 27 VALLEY MODEL TRAINS PO BOX 1251, Wappingers Falls, N.Y. 12590 Credit Card Orders Welcome Order/Info(845)297-3866 Fax(845)298-7746 DSL Shops O Urethane kits O211 Now order online! The Public Delivery T Sumpter Valley Depot Locomotives Atlas..U-23B, GP-15, RSD-15, RS-3.. RS-1..B&O, NYSW, GMRC, NYC, others. 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PRR, NYC, NH, UP, CN, N&W, B&M Pecos River..SOU, CBQ, NYC, SF, SP, T Atlas..40' Woodside..30+ roads!!!. 40' Steel..Rebuilts, or AAR..20+ roads 40' Trainman..and 1970's (refurbished er online! 28 • O Scale Trains - Mar/Apr ’09 Box Cars Custom Building, Repair & Painting Services Available Buy-Sell-Trade, Consignments-Appraisals, eBay Sales Website: www.alleghenyscale.com • Email: [email protected] 470 Schooley’s Mountain Road, Suite 8-117, Hackettstown, New Jersey 07840 • Voice - (908) 684-2070 • Fax - (908) 684-8911 Steam Sunset, C&O J2 4-8-2, CP, EX, Jerry White Drive, Road No. 543 ............................................$1,095 Max Gray, C&O K4 2-8-4, CP, EX, Can Motor, Lights, Road No. 2761 ......................................$795 PSC, CB&Q S4a 4-6-4, FP, L/N, PSC 17161-1, Road No. 4002.................................................. $2,495 PSC, CB&Q S4a 4-6-4, FP, Mint, PSC 17161-1, Road No. 4002, Upgraded .........................$2,795 Sunset 3rd, CB&Q O5a 4-8-4, FP, New, Closed Cab Version, Road No. 5629................... $1,195 Sofue, C&NW H1 4-8-4, UP, Mint, Handbuilt, Serial No. 174, Very Rare.............................$7,995 PSC, D&RGW L-76 2-6-6-2, FP, Mint, PSC 17171-1, Black Boiler, Road No. 3351 ............. $2,495 PSC, DM&IR Yellowstone 2-8-8-4, UP, Mint, PSC 15793, Worthington FWH.................. $3,350 PSC, DM&IR Yellowstone 2-8-8-4, FP, L/N, PSC 15795-1, Elesco FWH, Black Boiler, No. 236 .......................................................................................................... $3,495 Pecos River, GN P2 4-8-2, FP, EX, Glacier Park Scheme, Road No. 2510................................$750 Oriental, GN R2 2-8-8-2, FP, L/N, Vestibule Cab, FP Black, Road No. 2502 ...................... $2,495 Sunset , GN S2 4-8-4, CP, EX, Late Run, Glacier Park, Open Cab, No. 2576 ......................$1,595 USH, L&N "Big Emma" 2-8-4, CP, L/N, Pro Paint, Can Motor, Lights, Road No. 1965.... $1,195 USH, NYC H10b 2-8-2, CP, L/N, Can Motor, Lights, Crew, Coal, Road No. 2380 .............. $1,195 PSC, N&W Class A 2-6-6-4, CP, EX, Crown Model, Aux. Tender, Road No. 1238............ $2,095 Sunset, N&W Class J 4-8-4, CP, L/N, Pro Paint, Coal, Lights, Road No. 600 ...................... $1,195 PSC, N&W Class S1a 0-8-0, UP, L/N, PSC No. 15699 ....................................................................$1,595 Max Gray, N&W Y6a 2-8-8-2 w/Auxiliary Tender, CP, L/N, 1 of a Kind Custom Model - Exquisite ..............................................................................................$4,895 OMI, NP Z8 2-6-6-4, UP, New, Coal Version, Road Nos. 5130-5149 .................................... $2,695 OMI, PRR 210P75 Tender for M1b, UP, Mint, Riveted Tender, w/Antenna ...........................$750 OMI, PRR 210F82a Tender for M1, I1sa, CP, New, Earlier Full Scale Version, Pro Paint ....$395 Weaver, PRR A5s 0-4-0, FP, New, Late Version, 2 Rail, Serial No. 6 of 12, Rare ...................$595 Williams, PRR B6sb 0-6-0, FP, EX, 2 Rail, Road No. 6380 .............................................................$450 Key, PRR H8sc 2-8-0, FP, V/G, Lights, Coal Load, Road No. 9978........................................... $1,195 USH, PRR I1sa 2-10-0, UP, New, Late Run, New Correct Steel Driver Tires ........................$1,495 Key, PRR J1a 2-10-4, FP, L/N, w/Antenna, Road No. 6498.........................................................$3,195 Westside, PRR J1a 2-10-4, UP, New, 210F84 Tender w/o Antenna, .....................................$1,595 Kohs & Co., PRR K4 4-6-2, FP, L/N, Postwar Version, 110p75 w/Antenna, No. 3729......$4,195 PSC, PRR K4 4-6-2, FP, EX, Standard Prewar Version - 130P75 Tender ..................................$895 PSC, PRR K4 4-6-2, CP, Modernized Version - 110P75 Tender w/Antenna ..........................$895 Lionel , PRR Streamlined K4 4-6-2, FP, L/N, 1938 Broadway, Lights, Road No. 3768....$1,595 Westside, PRR M1 4-8-2, UP, New, Last Run, Full Backhead ...................................................$1,495 Max Gray, PRR M1a 4-8-2, UP, Mint, Late Run, 210P75 Tender ..............................................$1,095 OMI, PRR M1b 4-8-2, FP, Mint, 210p75 Tender w/Antenna, No. 6753 ................................ $2,595 Max Gray, PRR N1s 2-10-2, CP, New, McCafferty Paint and Weathering ...........................$1,695 Sunnyside, PRR T1 4-4-4-4, FP, L/N, As Built Porthole Version ............................................ $2,095 Sunnyside, PRR T1 4-4-4-4, FP, Mint, Never Assembled, Modified Version ...................$4,195 OMI, RDG T1 4-8-4, UP, Mint, W/Decals, OMI 0150 ....................................................................$1,695 WSM, RF&P "Gov." 4-8-4, CP, L/N, Black and Gray Scheme, "Gov. Fitzhugh Lee"..........$1,650 PSC, SP AC-12 Cab Forward 4-8-8-2, FP, L/N, Crown, Road No. 4292, Samhongsa ..... $3,895 Sunset 3rd, SP F3 2-10-2, FP, L/N, 2 Rail, Road No. 3661...........................................................$1,095 PSC, SP GS-4 4-8-4, FP, New, PSC No. 17347-1, Black, Road No. 4436 ............................... $2,695 Max Gray, SP MT-4 4-8-2, CP, L/N, Pro Paint, Daylight, Skyline Casing, No. 5342 ......... $1,195 Sunset 3rd, SP P8 4-6-2, FP, New, 2 Rail, Postwar Scheme, Road No. 2472...................... $1,195 Sunset 3rd, SP&S E1 4-8-4, FP, New, 2 Rail, Road No. 700 ....................................................... $1,195 USH, UP Challenger 4-6-6-4, CP, L/N, Pro Paint, Coal Version, Can Motor, No. 3910 .. $1,195 Key, UP Challenger 4-6-6-4, CP, L/N, Oil Version, TT Gray, Silver Stripes, No. 3977 .... $3,595 Sunset, UP "9000" Class 4-12-2, UP, New, Postwar Version ....................................................$1,350 OMI #0130, UP FEF-1 4-8-4, Oil Tndr, CP, L/N, TT Gray, Silver Stripes, No. 818 ................$1,695 USH Steam Loco Repwr Kit, New, Ball Bearing Gearbox, Pittman Can Motor ..................$200 Diesel OMI, ALCO FA-1/FB-1 A-B-A Units, UP, New, OMI 0356/0358, w/o Dynamic Brakes ....$1,695 OMI, ALCO RS-11 High Hood, UP, New, OMI 0206, w/ Dynamic Brakes ...............................$695 PSC, B&M SW-1 Phase 1, CP, V/G, Low Stack, Black w/Red Nose Stripes, No. 1112 ..........$550 Red Cab, C&O GP-9 Phase II, FP, V/G, RTR Special Run, Replacement Gears (3 Avail.)....$175 Oriental, EMD GP-7 Phase II, UP, L/N, Freight Version .................................................................$695 Oriental, EMD GP-9 Phase II, UP, V/G, Freight Body, Passenger Version U/F, As Is ..........$495 OMI, FM H-10-44 w/Cab Overhang, UP, Mint, OMI No. 0433, NYC/NKP/PRR/Frisco ...$1,095 Sunset, FM Trainmaster Phase IB, UP, Mint, Steam Era, Samhongsa.....................................$850 OMI, NYC Baldwin RF-16 Shark Nose A-B Units, CP, Mint, Pantera Paint, Freight Lightning Stripe Scheme ................................................................................ $2,095 OMI, NYC CUT Heavy Electric Locomotive, CP, L/N, OMI No. 0286, Pantera Paint, Lightning Stripe ...................................................................................................................$1,350 OMI # 0210A, PRR ALCO DL-600B HiHood, UP, New, w/Ant., (2 Avail.) .................................$795 OMI # 0393-0397, PRR ALCO FA-2 A-B Units, CP, New, w/Ant., Tower Drive ....................$1,495 OMI # 0393-0397, PRR ALCO FA-2 A-B Units, UP, New, w/Ant., Tower Drive....................$1,395 OMI #s 0425, 0426, 0425, PRR BLW RF-16 Shark Noses A-B-A, UP, Mint. ...........................$2,795 Key, PRR EMD E7 A-B Units, FP, New, Tuscan 5 Stripe Scheme (2 Sets Available) ........ $2,395 Key, PRR EMD E8 A-A Units, FP, New, Tuscan 5 Stripe Scheme ........................................... $2,495 Key, PRR EMD F3 A-B-A Units, FP, Mint, Last Run, Late F7 bodies, Brunswick SS......... $3,595 OMI, PRR P5a Electric - Box Cab, UP, Mint, OMI No. 0219, Last Run ....................................$1,095 OMI, PRR P5a Electric - Modified, UP, New, OMI No. 0237 .........................................................$995 Key, SP EMD E9 A-A Units, FP, New, Daylight Scheme, Last Run, Road #6050/51 ........$2,795 OMI, UP ALCO U-50-C, UP, New, OMI 0201....................................................................................$1,095 OMI, UP ALCO C-855-A or C-855-B, UP, New, OMI 0203/0204, (Price for each unit).....$1,095 OMI, UP ALCO PA-1, UP, New, OMI 0322, w/Dynamic Brakes (2 Available).........................$750 Key, UP EMD E9 A-B Units, FP, Mint, 1st Run, Road Nos. 903A/6051B ............................... $2,695 Rolling Stock PSC 3 16959, MILW 1939 Hiawatha 9 Car Set, FP, New, Orange/Gray/Maroon ............. $4,995 Walthers, MILW 1948 Olympian Hiawatha Coach, CP, New, Pro Built and Finished Kit, Interior, Exquisite ...................................................................................................................$250 OMI, MILW 1935 Hiawatha Observation, UP, New, OMI 0032/O, "Wenonah" ................... $375 Sunset, N&W Powhatan Arrow D1 Diner, CP, L/N, Pro Paint, Road No. 491 .......................$325 Sunset, N&W Powhatan Arrow P3 Coach, CP, L/N, Pro Paint....................................................$325 CNJB, PRR B60 Baggage Car, UP, L/N, CNJB 702-O, Arch Roof, Porthole Doors ...............$295 Sunset 3rd, PRR P70 Coach, FP, New, w/Air, Different Road Nos. (2 Available) .................$250 Sunnyside, PRR P85br Streamlined Coach, FP, L/N, Tuscan w/Dulux Gold or Gold Leaf (2 Available) .........................................................................................................$395 Fine Arts, PRR 1938 Broadway Limited 7 Car Set, FP, L/N, "Fleet of Modernism" Scheme, Interior, Lights ......................................................................................................................$4,150 Sunset/ 3rd, SP 70' Harriman Passenger Cars, FP, New, SP Lines, Baggage, Coach, & RPO Available ......................................................................................................................$295 Sunset 3rd, UP 70' Harriman Passenger Cars, FP, New, TT Gray, Baggage & Coach Available ......................................................................................................................$295 The P. Co., PRR X-42 Mail Storage Car, CP, New, Pro Paint, Shadow Keystone, Road No. 2541..........................................................................................................................$350 PSC # 15519,, REA Steel 50' Expr Reefer, CP, L/N, Late Version, Lg. REA Herald ................$295 Car Works, Nat. Car Co. 53' Milk Car w/"Bell" Tanks, UP, New, W/Express Trucks.............$250 PRB # 16259-1, AT&SF R-27 Steel Reefer, FP, Mint, "Grand Canyon, Road No. 34716 ......$345 Sunset, B&O Class I-5 Wood Cab, CP, L/N, 6 Window Vers., Pro Paint, Weathered .........$225 OMI, B&M Wood Caboose, CP, L/N, Pro Paint, Steam Era, Ajax Brake Stand ..................... $275 PSC, GTW 40' Seel Box Car, CP, Pro Paint, Stanray Roof, 6' Doors, D/N Ends ......................$215 OMI, NH Class "NE" Wood Caboose, CP, L/N, Pro Paint, Road No. C-639.............................$265 Div. Point, N&W CF Class Wood Caboose, FP, New, Late Version (2 Available) .................$395 Sunset , N&W C2 Class Steel Caboose, UP, New, Steam & Diesel Eras (2 Available)........ $195 CNJB, PRR N5b Cabin Car w/Antenna, UP, New, Excellent Model ..........................................$295 PSC #15030, SP Class C30 Wood Caboose, CP, L/N, Pro Paint, Weathered, Steam Era ..$295 PSC #15593, SP 40' "Overnight Merchandise" Box Car, CP, New, Pro Paint, Road # 9101, Exquisite.....................................................................................................................................$325 OMI #0760, Wabash Square Cupola Steel Caboose , UP, Mint, Never Unwrapped ........ $375 OMI #0761, Wabash S/L Cupola Steel Caboose , UP, Mint, Never Unwrapped.................$350 OMI #0720, WM "NE" Steel Caboose, CP, L/N, Pro Paint, Lightly Weathered.....................$250 PSC & USH, 2 Bay Hoppers, Various Types, Roads, CP, L/N, Pro Paint, Weathered, Coal Loads ..................................................................................................................................`Call Am. Std., PRR Passenger Car Kits, UP, New, B60 Baggage, D78 Diner, P70 Coaches ........ Call Mid. Div., PRR H21a Hoppers & X29 Box Cars, FP, New, Many Versions Available ............. $60 Mar/Apr ’09 - O Scale Trains • 29 As great as O Scale is, it’s not high up on the inexpensive list. So on the way to figuring out background buildings for my large layout, I realized that over twelve linear feet of buildings could break my piggybank. It quickly became clear that it would be necessary to come up with a creative solution to filling all of this background real estate. I had some Clever Models brick texture sheets in my shop but hadn’t decided how I wanted to use them. When the problem of the background buildings came up, the proverbial light came on and I was off and running towards a realistic, inexpensive and easy solution that from virtually any distance looks as good as three dimensional buildings. And, you can construct any of these “flats” in about one day! The whole key to making this idea work is 3-dimensional additions. The more creative you are with these items, the more realism you’ll get out of the brick paper walls. Basic Materials • Clever Models [www.clevermodels.com] brick texture sheets. They have dozens of options, not only brick but other finishes as well. They are currently peel and stick but are considering switching to non-stick so you may need a spray adhesive. • Foam board 3/16” thick which is available at any craft store like Michaels or online. There are thicker versions, but will be harder to cut. • Commercial ads available online at Mike Tylick’s website [www.trainweb.org/tylick/indes.html], in magazines or from Google Image. • A selection of 3-dimensional items like Tichy or Grandt Line windows and various vents, billboards, doors, styrene tubes, etc. • A #11 hobby knife, some weathering chalk 10 Easy Steps 1. Cut the foam board to the size you want. Virtually any size will work. Remember that scale is determined by the size of windows and doors, so how high or long you want the building is up to you. 2. Mount the Clever Models brick sheets on the foam board. If you’re doing a larger flat, you’ll need to match the multiple brick sheets as best you can so that the foam board doesn’t show. If you’re using white foam board, you can spray paint it black before mounting the brick sheets. This will help hide any minor gaps. Don’t worry about the seams between sheets. They’ll be taken care of later. After mounting the paper, I like to dust on some gray or black weathering chalk and then wipe it vertically with a paper towel to tone down the brick paper and age it a bit. 3. Lay out the ads and windows in a rough way to see how you’d like the building to look (Photo 1). 4. Now the careful part: outline the size of the windows 30 • O Scale Trains - Mar/Apr ’09 (or even loading doors) on the brick paper. I measure the back of the window to get as close a fit as possible, and then draw the rectangular shape of the window on the brick paper. I recommend you use windows with a lip molding around the window and not masonry windows (like those used in roundhouses or in some commercial buildings) as they are very difficult to get a close fit without light coming through from the back. 5. Cut out the windows in the foam board with a very sharp #11 blade. (TIP: Don’t drag the blade or you might rip the paper. Press down on the blade and gradually move along the drawn lines). Make sure you’ve gone all the way through the foam board. If not, you can also finish the scoring from the back. Pop out the foam core window and dry fit the casting to make sure you’re getting a close fit and the window frame covers the opening. If it does, you’re in business and you can cut all the remaining windows the same way. 6. If you’re using black foam board, you can start gluing in the windows. If you’re using white foam board, paint the inside sashes of the window with any black acrylic paint so the white doesn’t show behind the glass. Now glue in the windows. I use GS-Hypo glue. It has a very thin applicator so that you can get glue around the entire inside of the plastic window frame. You can also use CA (medium or thicker, not the thin version) but you’ll need to use a micro-brush or a toothpick as an applicator and be very careful about not gluing your fingers to the windows. (Don’t ask me how I know this!) Glue clear styrene on the back of the flat for the window glass and also some shades made from craft paper. (Glue the shades at different heights for added realism.) 7. Apply the ad(s) using Elmer’s white glue or Rubber Cement. I usually sand the front lightly and then run a light coat of India ink/alcohol wash over the ad to tone it down and give it a weathered look. When you paste the ad directly to the brick paper you can’t get the ad to sink into the spaces between the brick so it looks painted on (as you do on a resin or Hydrocal brick wall) since there’s no texture in the paper. But, from any reasonable distance it will still look pretty great. An option for smaller ads is to mount them on a thin board or even cardstock, make a thin wood border around the ad and create a 3-dimensional billboard (Photo 2). 8. Add a business name either on the building or on the roof. There are many ways to do this. You can do a separate sign with dry transfer letters, and then add it to the flat. You can also apply the dry transfer letters directly to the brick paper. The Garen Photo letters are 3-dimensional letters that I had in my shop (Photo 3). The Goar & Vetter letters were done by painting the background wood strip white, putting on self-stick letters, then painting the whole thing with a 1 3 2 4 black spray can. After it dries, peel off the letters and Voila!, an instant sign. Of course, you can always just make an original sign on your computer. 9. We’re almost finished. so now is the time for some optional details. Depending on how deep you’d like the flat, you can add a faux roof the width of the building and 1-2 inches deep. Skip this part if you don’t have the room. Its purpose is to provide a platform for roof billboards, vents, etc. 10. Finally, remember those seams? If they show too much, paint some 3/32” and/or 1/8” round styrene and some Berkshire Valley electrical boxes (or cut just the boxes from some rectangular styrene) and place the round styrene strip along the seam. You can glue it to the brick with CA (mind those fingers, though). You can further hide the seams by applying white glue and then some Woodland Scenics foliage material to create climbing vines (Photo 4). That’s about it. There are many options to make each building flat look different from the others. The Garen Photo Supply has a double bay-window type extension. Use you own creativity and in no time you’ll have a whole row of background flats that will add immensely to the realism of your layout. u Mar/Apr ’09 - O Scale Trains • 31 SMR TRAINS Virginia & Truckee Pre-Order Now! www.smrtrains.com Preproduction model shown 34 • O Scale Trains - Mar/Apr ’09 Schneider Model Railroading, Inc. P.O. Box 753, Mount Laurel, NJ 08054 Visit our Website or Write for Terms and Conditions Introducing Turntables from Ross Custom Switches! Our new turntables are ready. After two years of development and testing RCS proudly introduces our new line of turntables. Product# TUTA18M TUTA24M TUTA27M TUTA33M Description Price Manually Indexing Turntable (line up tracks by eye) 18” Turntable with manually indexing motor $949.95 24” Turntable with manually indexing motor $1149.95 27” Turntable with manually indexing motor $1199.95 33” Turntable with manually indexing motor $1299.95 TUTA18A TUTA24A TUTA27A TUTA33A Automatic Indexing Turntable 18” Turntable with Automatic indexing motor 24” Turntable with Automatic indexing motor 27” Turntable with Automatic indexing motor 33” Turntable with Automatic indexing motor $1349.95 $1549.95 $1599.95 $1699.95 Shipping on these items are as follows: 18” and 24” turntables: $100 • 27” and 33” turntables: $125 Precision made using a CNC cut 3/4” cabinet grade, no-warp, 13 ply baltic birch frame and pit, 7 ball and roller thrust bearings, 1” ground center shaft, CNC cut 18” drive gear, mated to an automotive type, nostretch, timing belt for perfect grip all the time. Stepper motor with electronic controls and power supply for automatic indexing with speed (rpm) set by you, or heavy duty gear reduction motor with manual and infinite low speed control and power supply. Full bridge with detail will accept many types of two and three rail track. Track spacing at 7.5 or 15 degrees. Pre-wired with an industrial turntable track power connector and will transmit remote train controller commands of various manufacture. A square hole 6” larger than the bridge length is required. Motor drive hangs down appx. 10.5” Below table. Don't forget our line of auto indexing transfer tables as well! See www.rossswitches.com for full details on all our products or call 1-800-331-1395. Mar/Apr ’09 - O Scale Trains • 35 Culverts And Drainage Pipes L. Lee Davis Railroads have always had to reckon with drainage problems of the track bed and have, over the years, utilized several methods to deal with this on going problem. One of which is plain old drainage pipes. This is an easy and inexpensive way to add a touch of realism to your right-of-way. I have rarely seen drainage pipes used on most layouts and it’s hard to understand why they’re not used more often. Let’s do a bit of thinking on this. Where am I going to put drainage pipes? Like the real railroads we want to put pipes where water wants to congregate. Water pools at the lowest point flooding out the roadbed. If your base scenery is done, then it will be self-evident where the pipes or culverts will go. If not, then a little planning is in order. The method used to do your subroadbed will determine the best way to mount your drainage pipes. You could just drill a hole through the subroadbed but I think that would weaken it and waste a lot of pipe. I would suggest straight cutting pieces of brass or plastic tubing in lengths 4 to 6 scale feet, then glue and clamp them on to the subroadbed just below the ballast line. With some methods you might need to place small 1” x 1” square mounting blocks along the edge (Photo 1). You can get either plastic or brass tubing and it is offered in quite a lot of sizes to fit almost any scale. Take your scale ruler with you when you shop for tubing so you can measure the diameter of it. As an example 7/32” = 12” pipe, 3/8” = 18” pipe, and 1/2” = 24” pipe in O Scale (Photo 2). Plastic or brass tubing will work fine for concrete pipe when painted 2 3 1 4 If you have a track chart of your favorite right-of-way, it will show what size pipe was used and where. Most railroads used 12”, 18” and 24” corrugated metal or concrete pipe for most of their small drainage problems, as well as larger sizes. 36 • O Scale Trains - Mar/Apr ’09 5 8 Deichman’s Depot ATLAS O Scale 2-Rail 6 9 7 a concrete gray after mounting. Corrugated pipe is another question and there has been a way of making it around for quite some time. The tried and true bolt and aluminum foil method. I have a twist on this method. Take a bolt the size of the pipe you want to model and rub beeswax on the threads (Photos 3 & 4). Then wrap aluminum foil around bolt, cover with fast dry epoxy and let dry. Remove the bolt by unscrewing counter clockwise (Photos 5 & 6). Mount it to the subroadbed and paint aluminum, silver or light gray. To cover the larger drainage areas, the railroads would usually use culverts of about three feet to fifteen feet wide made of reinforced concrete and steel I beams, with rip rap (large stones sometimes covered with heavy duty chicken wire) or concrete wings and or retaining walls (Photo 7). Woodland Scenic makes a culvert for HO and they work quite nicely in O Scale as small drainage culverts (Photos 8 &9). Of course you can make your own, but that would be another article I will get into later. Have fun and I hope you enjoy incorporating this little detail into your layout. u 3518-1 Conrail "Saving Bond" SD-40 DC/DCC $407.95 3815-2 NS MP-15 DC/DCC 407.95 20040014 PC RSD 7/15 DC 203.95 7382 BNSF PS-4427 Low Side Hopper 55.20 9278 ADM 17,6000K Tank 6.25 9527 Armour 40' Wood Reefer 57.75 9156 Lackawanna 40' Wood Reefer 53.50 7767 NS 55T Fishbelly Hopper 46.70 9287 ADM (Molecule) 17,600K Tank 66.25 9277 Cargill Foods 17,600K Tank 63.70 9122 Harding Butter 40' Wood Reefer 62.65 9085 Ken-L-Ration 40' Wood Reefer 69.30 9851 B&O PS-1 50' Plug Door Box 59.45 9403 NH PS-1 50' Plug Door Box 55.20 9802 NYC Conposite Gondola 53.50 9476 B&O USRA 55T Coal Hopper 53.50 9170 Plitts Ginger Ale 40' Wood Reefer 64.55 7709 Blatz 40' Wood Reefer 53.50 7645 D&TSL Ext. Vision Caboose 66.25 7632 GN Ext. Vision Caboose 62.00 9716 WM 1937 40' AAR Box Car 57.75 9781 PRR X-29 Box Car 61.70 Deichman’s Depot 110 Ivyside Dr, York PA 17402 Ph: 717-755-1108 • Fax: 717-840-9650 [email protected] www.deichmansdepot.com Etched brass numbers SP-style, MSRP: $15. More brass numbers coming soon! Field parts for your interlocking tower: pipe carriers, crank stands and cranks. Visit our web site for details. The Irish Tracklayer 2682 W. Palo Alto Ave Fresno CA 93771 www.irishtracklayer.com Mar/Apr ’09 - O Scale Trains • 37 Are You Expired? Your subscription expiration is now printed on your mailing label! & EVERY Layout Has Its... BACK VIEW FRONT VIEW Pedestrians And Workers to place Anywhere on Your layout that has steps or stairs. 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FAX orders: 302 455-0197 Visit us at www.arttista.com for color photos 38 • O Scale Trains - Mar/Apr ’09 Ups Downs Painted / Unptd Businessman walking up/dn... _5.99 / 4.00 Man in suit walking down...... _ 5.99 / 4.00 Worker walking up.................. _5.99 / 4.00 Worker walking down.............. _5.99 / 4.00 Man w/hard hat walking down. _5.99 / 4.00 Worker w/hard hat walking up. _5.99 / 4.00 Businesswoman going down... _5.99 / 4.00 Young girl walking up or down.._5.99 / 4.00 Woman with/bags walking up _7.25 / 4.50 Old woman w/cane walking up _6.25 / 4.00 Woman w/blowing dress up/dn _6.25 / 4.00 Couple walking ................. _12.50 / 8.00 RR worker holding on........ ......_5.99 / 4.00 Welder looking at job................_6.25 / 4.25 People make the difference 105 Woodring Lane Newark DE 19702 A Makeover for the MTH 64’ Wood Coach Edward F. Bommer Recently, MTH released an O Scale 64 ft. open-platform wooden coach. It’s based on a Long Island Railroad prototype built for commuter service around the early 1900s and numbered in the 200 series. I altered the MTH car to represent one of fifty B&O open-platform wooden coaches in various classes built between 1886 and 1912. They were sent to the Staten Island Rapid Transit in the early 1920s to help with increasing passenger traffic. The prototype cars had steam heat and electric lighting supplied by a generator on the locomotive. As the SIRT’s electrification was completed, new steel subway-compatible cars were delivered and the coaches were then returned to the B&O. In this motley fleet were three 64 ft. cars having nineteen side windows. They were built by Pullman for the Coal and Coke Railway of West Virginia in 1912 and were the newest cars in that group of fifty (Photo 1). The C&C became 2 1 part of the B&O after WW I. While the C&C cars had paired side windows, the MTH car has nineteen single windows. It would be close enough to look like a former branch-line coach pressed into metropolitan rapid transit service late in its life. While made initially for the 3-Rail market, this car is easily converted to 2-Rail as shown in an article by Joe Giannovario (OST #39, July/August 2008). Read on and see how the appearance of this MTH coach can be made over. The Car Made for operation with tight curves, MTH placed the steps beyond the car sides to allow for maximum coupler swing (Photo 2). Over the lowest steps the car measures 10’9” wide – more than a large steam locomotive! These steps should be about one to two inches inside the width of a car for proper AAR (and NMRA) clearance. Brake parts are the second item to be addressed. There is a small, square box on the underbody; it’s supposed to be a brake cylinder and should be round. Also, there is no control valve for the brake system. The end windows were blanked on the MTH model, as the prototype did not have them. The last window on each side was altered to be a shorter arched window, like the C&C prototype. More details, new paint and SIRT lettering will complete the transformation. Disassembly Disassemble the car by removing the six large screws from the underframe and then lift the body off. There are many screws of various sizes in this car. Sort and save them and the other little parts in an empty egg carton or other container. Take out the screws to remove the car steps. Use care in pulling the steps off the underframe. They are a tight fit and are delicate. Do not try to twist them off. Pry them up gently with a thin screwdriver blade around the mounting flange. The steps are indexed right and left. The notched side of the step faces the carbody. Remove the interior seating from the underframe along with the steel weights. Remove the trucks and disconnect the lighting wiring. Do not lose the thin brass truck washers. Mar/Apr ’09 - O Scale Trains • 39 Next, remove the lighting assembly from the roof. The wires unplug from the gray contact connector and from clips on one end. Pull off the gray connector, taking care not to lose the contact springs. Leave the reflector tape in place. Remove the car ends from the body. These may be a tight fit as they slide out of grooves in the car sides. Use care when pulling them free. The underside roof end pieces can stay in place. Remove all of the car’s window glazing. If one is damaged it can be easily replaced. Replacements for the green glazing may be more difficult to find. The coach is now ready for modification work (Photo 3). 3 Next, cement shims made from 0.010” thick styrene to each side of the piece. These shims will replace the material the saw kerf removed. After the cement dries, be sure to trim and notch the shims on each side to match the part’s profile. Check the fit and, if necessary, lightly sand each side evenly for a snug fit. Cement the part back in place on the underbody, being sure it is even on the top side. I found it best to work and finish each step one at a time. To stiffen the ends, I added centersill beams made from 3/32” x 3/16” styrene strip. They are located so their centers line up with the nut detail on the end sills. These bolts represent the ends of the inner truss rods on a prototype car (Photo 5). 5 Two pieces of 0.060” scribed styrene 0.020” thick were cut to 1-19/32” long and 17/32” wide (9 boards) and sanded on the back until they were reduced to 0.015”or a bit less in thickness. These were cemented to the top of the smooth platform to better represent a wood deck (Photo 6). I used some Athearn drop style grabirons on the end sills. Brass wire of 0.022” or 0.025” diameter can also be used. Figure A shows the dimensions for the grabirons. Figure B, from the Car Builder’s Cyclopedia, shows the location and dimensions for these on the coach. The Car Steps The first order of business is to relocate the car steps 3/16” inward on each side. To move them in, use a fine-toothed razor saw and cut 1/2” further in at each side of the step recess on the underframe. Use a drawing motion with the saw; do not push. Score a deep, straight line on the underside between these cuts, making several passes with a fresh singleedged razor blade. Be sure all cuts are square and true. Snap off the car step mounting area and smooth the cut surfaces with a file or fine emery paper. Trim 3/16” from the inner edge of the broken-off piece. This cut should be about 1/32” from the step mounting boss (Photo 4). 4 40 • O Scale Trains - Mar/Apr ’09 6 Figure A Figure B The Underframe The square box-like brake cylinder was pulled off the underframe and replaced with an All Nation passenger brake cylinder. The large box with the wood detail was removed and its mounting bosses were cut down to the side sill height. An All Nation passenger UC brake control valve was cemented between those bosses. Next, the truss rods were bent so their angles would be at the queen posts and not some point beyond. The center of each truss rod was fitted with a 5/32” long piece of wire insulation slipped over it to represent the turnbuckle. All of these were secured in place with CA (Photo 7). 7 8 The Coal and Coke coaches had arched side windows at each end. To make them, drill two 1/2” diameter holes in a piece of 3/32” thick styrene sheet. It took several changes of bits, each a little larger than the other and drilling by hand to keep from ruining the styrene. The drilled holes are cut to make four half-round arched sections. Each section is then trimmed to fit a window opening. The bar in each end window was cut out and the arched piece is cemented in its place. A 3/32” x 3/32” styrene strip was fitted over the top of the lower window sash of each side’s end windows to shorten them. A 0.020” thick by 0.060” scribed overlay 3/32” wide was cemented below it over the original lower sash. A small strip of 1/32” x 3/64” styrene was added for the window sill (Photo 9). 9 This model does not have a generator and battery box. While these old B&O coaches had electric lighting, they did not have generators or battery boxes. Running in three to five car trains with a mile or less between stops, the locomotive’s generator supplied the lighting needs at night. The Car Ends And Sides With the steps relocated, the ends must now be filled in at each lower corner to close the resulting gaps. Pieces of 3/32” thick styrene were used with overlays of 0.020” thick, 0.060” scribed styrene sheet. They are matched to the car siding as best as possible. Door thresholds made from a piece of 1/32” x 3/64” styrene strip were notched to fit along the lower edge of the door. They fill the gap between the scribed platform deck and car door bottom. Since the Coal and Coke car did not have end windows, the end windows were filled in with pieces of 3/32” thick styrene and more 0.020” thick by 0.060” spaced scribed overlays. This matches the thickness of the car end (Photo 8). The Car Roof More details were applied to the car roof. Small round vents from Keil Line were installed over the arched windows at each right-end of the car. Two ladder stays were made from 0.022” diameter brass wire and installed on the lower part of the roof at each right end. Figure C is not scaled; so follow the dimensions shown. Drip rails, made from 1/32” x 3/64” styrene strip with one edge rounded off, were cemented to Mar/Apr ’09 - O Scale Trains • 41 Figure C 10 coats about an hour apart. I brush painted the brake wheels, end sill grab irons and platform railings PolyScale Engine Black, along with the conductor’s brake valve. Between coats, the interior seating piece was airbrushed the roof at each end. These details were brush-painted with with Floquil’s New York Central Dark Gray. Micro-Mark has PolyScale Engine Black, which reasonably matches the MTH replacement paint bottles with caps that match the Badger roof paint. airbrush. They make changing colors much easier when airConductor’s Brake Valve A conductor’s brake valve was added on one end platform. brushing. Lettering It is located at the left end of the side where the UC valve is After drying for a day or two, the masked car sides and on the underbody. the valve is made from 0.028” diameter ends were given a spray of Glosscote in preparation for letbrass wire with a handle of 0.019” diameter wire flattened, tering with Champ’s “Dulux Gold” alphabet decal sets. Car wrapped and soldered to it and then bent (Figure D). numbers for the ends and the sides were done with 3/32” Express and 5/32” Railroad Roman respectively. The road Figure D name is 1/8” Chelsea. While Champ’s Chelsea lettering is rather heavy-looking, it’s as close as I could get to a B&O/ SIRT font. The corners of each E, L, and T were trimmed and the E’s center tail tweaked to more closely match SIRT lettering. Champ’s decal setting solution was used to bed down the lettering. Air bubbles, showing under the decals as whitish spots, were poked with a pin and a bit more setting solution was applied. After drying overnight, the lettering was wiped with a damp cloth to remove any remaining decal glue. When dry, another spray of Glosscote was applied to seal them. The next day, several light sprays of Dullcote were applied, to further seal the decals and to dull the shiny MTH roof. Paint and decal work was also detailed in an article on painting and letPainting tering a B&O baggage car (OST #20, May/June 2005). Now the car is ready for paint and new lettering. The car’s After removing the masking materials, the clerestory glazold lettering was rubbed with fine emery paper and steel ing strips were matched and reinstalled in their original locawool to remove as much of it as possible. The car has rather tions with drops of CA. deeply “grained” wood siding, so it is difficult to remove all The clear MTH window glazing was replaced with 0.015” of it. The parts to be painted were cleaned to remove dust, thick clear styrene. Frosted window areas were made by rubfingerprints and bits of styrene. Glued joints were checked bing the inside surface of the glazing with fine emery paper. over and cleaned up if needed. The underbody and trucks Use an up and down, then side to side motion first. Dust it off were airbrushed with a coat of Floquil’s Engine Black and and then rub it again in a circular motion. This makes a uniGrimy Black in a 50/50 mix. This lightens the Engine Black form, frosted glass look when seen from the outside. The glazand avoids the bluish hue that Grimy Black sometimes shows ing was glued in place along with window shades cut from in photos. Once dry, the underbody was wrapped in newsblack ribbon, using Walthers Goo with a Micro-tip. Take care paper and masked to cover the black areas, so the end sills that the glue will not show in a window! Shade heights can and platforms could be painted green. The black areas of be varied if they are cut to one, two or three window widths the roof were masked since the sides of the clerestory will before cementing in place. be the body color of the car. Masking tape was also applied Reassembly inside to cover the clerestory and coach windows (Photo 10). When inserting the car ends, be sure to scrape off any A piece of rolled newspaper stuffed into the clerestory roof paint that may be on the tapered flanges that slide into the car covered the light reflector strip. Floquil’s current shade of sides. These ends fit very tightly. Reinstall the light strip in the Pullman Green is reasonably close to the B&O’s coach/olive roof and fit the wiring into the slots on the car end. Plug the green which the SIRT also used. The car steps, ends, body wire into the connector and then slide the connector onto its and underbody platform ends were given two light airbrushed post. The brass spring contacts face the car floor. Attach the 42 • O Scale Trains - Mar/Apr ’09 weights and the interior to the underframe. When attaching the trucks, scrape off any paint on the bolster and the contact area on the truck. Be sure the thin brass washer is in place over the truck’s mounting boss. Because MTH screws trucks on from inside the car, be sure that they are tight. The screws could work loose and a truck could possibly come off. Fixing that will require disassembling the car. Attach the couplers and the car steps. My car came with coupler shims and self-tapping screws hidden in a compartment of the packing. These shims were sanded down to get the coupler at the correct height. The self-tapping screws were replaced with brass 2-56 machine screws cut to the correct length. Self-tapping screws can eventually strip the threaded hole in the plastic underbody. When installing the steps, it helps to clean out any paint from inside the mounting hole with the tip of a rattail needle file. That way, they should fit over the boss on the underbody without undue force. Be sure the notched side of the step faces the carbody. Put in the attaching screws. Finally, the coach body is mounted to the underframe. Take care here; it only fits one way. When securing the body screws, be sure they turn into place without cutting new threads. Otherwise they could strip the plastic mounting posts. A Few More Details Steam lines on older cars like this were hoses. These are modeled with short pieces of #20 black insulated wires. A collar of larger insulation was put on one end to represent the coupling union. The safety chains were made from a piece of discarded costume jewelry. It had flat links that scaled 6” long. Pull-type uncoupling rods were made from 0.019” diameter brass wire fashioned to look like those sometimes found on cars like this. Pieces of 0.015” x 0.060” brass strip are used for the uncoupling rod support. The coupler end is fitted to wrap around the Kadee® box. Figure E is not to Figure F One end link of the chain was slightly squeezed with pliers and attached to the underbody with a cut-off straight pin and a drop of CA. These details were brush painted with the Floquil 50/50 black mix. A specific detail for the SIRT is the electrical jumper cable for the locomotive powered car lighting that hangs from the roof at each end. MTH’s roof detailing represents Pintsch gas piping for car lights. It can also represent electrical conduits. The jumpers are made from fine stranded insulated wire with a short piece of larger insulation applied at one end for a plug. Clamps made from 0.022” diameter brass wire hold them in place at the roof ends (Photo 11). 11 Figure E scale. Follow the dimensions and bend the rod to fit the location. Small pieces of 3/32” styrene were cemented between the steps and coupler box on each side to provide a place for attaching these parts. The steam line and air hoses are attached closest to the coupler. The steam lines are #20 stranded, black insulated wires. One end of the insulation was cut back about 1/8” and tinned with solder. This end was bent and fitted into a hole in the pad on the left side of the coupler, then formed and cut to the proper length. A snippet of larger insulation was fitted as a collar to represent the coupling union. Two cast brass air hoses were similarly attached to the right side of the coupler. The safety chains have four links on the right side of the coupler and three on the left side, with a hook on the end made from 0.030” diameter brass wire. (See Figure F.) The Staten Island Rapid Transit had high-level platforms at all stations since 1884. The 50 open-platform cars were modified for that with trap plates and gates. On this model, the trap plates are made of thin styrene sheet painted Pullman green and applied over the step openings (Photo 12). Four safety gates were made from 0.015” x 0.060” brass strip for the top and bottom. Holes for 0.022” brass wire were spaced 1/8”apart from the outer end. The inner ends were drilled 0.028” (a #70 bit) and cut to make slots for the gate to fit onto the handrail. The vertical rods were fitted, soldered in place and trimmed to length, as shown in Figure G. The safety gates were painted PolyScale Engine Black. These trap plates and gates are fitted so they could be easily removed if no longer wanted. With a different look and iden- Mar/Apr ’09 - O Scale Trains • 43 into their attachment holes in the bottom of the car. I also left off the eyelets that MTH used. This looked much better to me and was more pleasing. Photo 13 shows the differences from start to finish. Figure G tity, this old coach is back in service. At this point I thought I was finished but the more I looked at the coach the more those low hanging truss rods bugged me. The Long Island prototype and the car I was modeling for the SIRT both had truss rods that were much closer to the underframe. I pulled off the rods and cut back all eight of the plastic queen posts by about half. With a small file, I cut a shallow groove into the cut ends of each queen post. Then I rebent the truss rods to fit back over the shortened queen posts and 44 • O Scale Trains - Mar/Apr ’09 Materials, Supplies and Tools: Liquid cement for styrene CA glue Walthers Goo and Micro-Tips 0.015” clear styrene sheet for replacement window glazing Black ribbon 1/2” to 3/4” wide – window shades 0.010” white sheet styrene - shims 0.020” white sheet styrene, scribed .060” 3/32” styrene sheet 1/32” x 3/64” styrene strip 3/16” x 3/8” styrene strip 0.019”, 0.022” or 0.025”, 0.028” and 0.030” diameter brass wire 0.015” x 0.060” brass strip Four Grandt Line 1/16” diameter nut/bolt/washer details Four air hose detail parts Passenger type brake cylinder with slack adjuster extension Passenger type air brake valve 2” of 20 AWG wire with black insulation, for steam hoses 14 links of chain with links no more than 1/8” or less than 3/32” long for car end safety chains Four straight pins for fastening safety chains to underbody Floquil Pullman Green, Engine Black and Grimy Black Poly Scale Engine Black Spare bottle for mixing and storing paint Testors Glosscote Testors Dullcote Single edge razor blades Fine toothed razor saw Files, emery paper, sandpaper, 000 steel wool No. 74, No. 72 and No. 70 drills (0.022”, 0.025” and 0.028” dia.) Pin vise Drill bits up to ½” diameter Phillips head screwdrivers Flat blade screwdrivers Tweezers Empty egg carton or other storage for small parts East Gary Car Co. Your source for: Dept OST 3828 St. Joseph Ct Lake Station IN 46405 Motive power, rolling stock and structure plans (since 1975) Quik-Signs sign sets Scale industry directory They’re Back! Former Indianapolis Car Company sides are now available from new tooling. Parts #100 & #200 $3.00 each OST 03-09 1/9/09 1:07 PM Paper Creek Models Send $2.00 for catalog Page 1 Orders under $50 please add $4.50 for postage and handling. SASE for updated list. P.O. Box 814OS Brevard, NC 28712-0814 © 2008 Gorilla Glue Company SG6HD2 Get our BIG catalog of tools and supplies for the railroad modeler! – a $4 00 value – $4 THE SMALL TOOL SPECIALISTS ™ Underground Railway Press yours FREE if you mention code 3600 when calling... 1-800-225-1066 1-800-225-1066 icromark.com Shop On-Line: www.m FOR THE TOUGHEST JOBS ON PLANET EARTH. 1-800-966-3458 WWW.GORILLATOUGH.COM ® 9 am – 5pm ET Monday thru Friday Little Creek Depot On30/On3/O scale #6122....$110.00 Pro Patria Mill...from Rico, Co, On30/On3/O scale laser cut wood, tons of strip wood, over 400 parts, 800 bits of stripwood.... you get the idea, a lot of hobby building enjoyment..bmw-137 O shipping now! $975.00 footprint: 48” wide, 30” deep, 30” tall...it’s big!!..more info on our web site or write for a product flyer....limited run numbered kits. only 36 O scale kits banta modelworks 421 hopkins road, dummerston, VT 05301, add $10 for shipping order line 800.653.8214 bs line 802.258.3869 Includes everything you see including the baggage wagon, work bench in back, station benches, barrels crates, milk cans, tools, semaphore, lamps, signs, etc. Less figures and pumpkins! (scenery items like ground cover and trees not included) www.bantamodelworks.com Mar/Apr ’09 - O Scale Trains • 45 Jim Hackworth Buy⁄Sell⁄Trade MODEL TRAINS Consignments (and Subsidiary JH Consulting) 2631 Edgevale Road, Columbus OH 43221-1113 Phone: 614-4514517 Fax: 6144514557 Email: [email protected] • Web: www.jhmtrains.com AOCC* Gem PRR B6 0-6-0, C/P or N/P, OB..................................................$575.00 WSM PRR J1a, 2-10-4, C/P, OB....................................................$1, 550.00 WSM PRR M1, 4-8-2, C/P, Nice, OB............................................$1, 150.00 USH NYC De-Streamlined 4-6-4, C/P, Ex.OB..............................$1, 275.00 USH C&O 2-8-4, C/P, Runs good, OB.........................................$ 1, 275.00 USH PRR M1a, 4-8-2, C/P, OB.....................................................$ 1, 175.00 MG NYC J3a, C/P, NOB From Tony Ambrose............................$1, 395.00 OM N&W Y3a, 2-8-8-2, C/P VGN, DCC, OB.............................$ 2, 250.00 USH NYC S1b, 4-8-4, C/P, OB......................................................$ 1, 250.00 MG PRR J, 2-10-4, C/P, Icken Gears, NOB.................................$1, 895.00 USH NYC H10, 2-8-2, Mint, N/P, NOB.........................................$1, 275.00 USH PRR L1, 2-8-2, N/P, LN, NOB..............................................$1, 175.00 Gem PRR A5 0-4-0, C/P, NOB..........................................................$ 575.00 Atlas EMD GP9, F/P UP, OB.............................................................$250.00 OM N&W C630 High Hood, FM Trucks, New, OB.....................$1, 195.00 OM SD70M Demo, F/P, LN, OB....................................................$1, 750.00 USH B&O C16a, 0-4-0, C/P, OB.......................................................$ 675.00 AOCC* Joe Fisher?? PRR R50b Express Reefer...........................................$200.00 OM PRR PAPB Set, Late Run, F/P, New......................................$2, 875.00 PRB 60’ Greenville Boxcar, F/P N&W, LN, OB...............................$249.00 USH #506 2-Bay Hopper, N/P, OB.....................................................$125.00 OM ATSF Erie Built ‘B’Unit, F/P, New............................................$899.00 OM#0626.1 ATSF SD75M, F/P, OB...............................................$1, 750.00 Scale Mod Ind Roundhouse Kit.........................................................$195.00 PRB 60’ Greenville Boxcar, F/P GT, New........................................$ 295.00 Atlas EMD F2/3, AB Set, Both Pwd, F/P SRR, OB.........................$650.00 OM 89’ TTX Flat, C/P TTX Yellow, LN, OB....................................$275.00 USH PRR N5 Caboose, New w/Trucks, N/P, OB.............................$250.00 OM PS2-CD Covered Hopper, C/P ATSF, OB, LN..........................$319.00 PRB SP Gunderson D.Stack Set, LN, OB.....................................$1, 395.00 Sunnyside PRR N5c Caboose, N/P, OB . ..........................................$309.00 MG PRR N8 Caboose, N/P, NOB......................................................$250.00 Alco PRR N6a, C/P or N/P........................................................$each 225.00 *All Offers Cordially Considered Layaway Available 46 • O Scale Trains - Mar/Apr ’09 LSASE for Complete List Shipping 6% - $6.95 Min., $15.00 Max Ohio Residents Add 6.75% Sales Tax NEWS: Laser-cut Architectural Materials; MSRP: $9.99 & $12.99 each Model Tech Studios, PO Box 1497, N. Hampton NH 03682 603-964-5995 • www.modeltechstudios.com Model Tech Studios has begun producing a new line of architectural materials which are essentially laser engraved wood sheets. They sent us a sample of a brick sheet painted and weathered, as well as a sample of a cut block wall and heavily worn and weathered siding. Available on the Model Tech website is a sheet of old, worn, cracked concrete sidewalk, also etched into wood. The idea behind these engraved sheets is to save time making structures by not having to laminate materials to backer sheets to get the look of brick, stone, etc. The O Scale brick, stone and siding sheets are 6” x 24” and cost $12.99 per sheet. The sidewalk sets provide 30 linear inches of material and sell for $9.99 per sheet. Model Tech Studios will be producing more of these unique products during 2009. NEWS: Kit #O214, The Auto Dealer Relief; MSRP: $49.95 DSL Shops, 630-858-1803 • www.dslshops.com This new kit is a circa 1920-30 brick auto dealer in relief. It is made from cast urethane that must be cleaned, painted and assembled. It features pre-cut dealer signs and pre-colored dealer sign pieces, plus other paper signs. The finished building is 13-3/8" wide by 3-3/8" deep by 5-5/8" high. See your local hobby dealer first, or contact DSL Shops at [dsl@dslshops. com], 630-858-1803. NEWS: 2-Rail Converted GENERAL 4-4-0; MSRP: $1499.95 SMR Trains, PO Box 753, Mount Laurel, NJ 08054 Email: [email protected] It’s not often that folks can get a second chance to own a sellout! When SMR’s ground-breaking, fully decorated, allbrass model of the famous Civil War locomotive the GENERAL was introduced, only 25 2-Rail models were made. These sold out immediately and no resale of this popular engine has been noted to date. Now SMR has contracted the original Korean builder of their Civil War era locomotive to convert a total of 18 remaining models from 3-Rail to 2-Rail operation. With these additional models the number produced will still be just 43 pieces total! The conversion will consist of replacing the 3-rail wheels, pickups and other electronics, with all new wheels and drivers, having RP25 flanges and profile with new wring and insulation for 2-Rail. The revised model will also feature a real wood load to replace the original casting along with additional weight. Of course, everything will be fully decorated with SMR’s super-detailed, museum-authenticated, 12-color paint scheme. The additional 2-Rail GENERALs are expected this spring. Price is just $1499.95, delivered. A refundable deposit of $100 is required to hold your model. Because this is an extremely limited, special release, it is expected that these models will sell out quickly. Contact SMR directly by email to [email protected] or write to SMR Trains, PO Box 753, Mount Laurel, NJ 08054. NEWS: Autumn Colors In The Northeast, Fall Foliage series from SceniKing. BPH Enterprises, 4 Palmer Drive, Barrie, ON L4M 9V4 Canada. 705-739-4878 •www.sceniking.com Now shipping to dealers, the Fall Foliage Series from SceniKing creates new, longer images in all scales from N to G. The full line of 104 SceniKing photo backdrop kits are printed as individual panels on 8-1/2” x 14” 24-pound paper. Careful assembly using the manufacturer’s instructions can create a seamless image. Package #R028 Autumn Treeline provides 9-1/2 feet of brilliant fall foliage for O and S scales, and connects with #U029 Autumn Camp, to add 9-1/2 feet more. These kits sell for $49.95 each. SceniKing photo backdrop kits are available through authorized dealers or direct from BPH Enterprises. Mar/Apr ’09 - O Scale Trains • 47 NEWS: Evans Gondola Kit #19201; MSRP: $99.95 BTS, RR1 Box 141A, Belington WV 26250 304-823-3729 • www.btsrr.com In 1975, the Southern Iron and Equipment Co. (SIECO) started building a 52'-6", 100-ton gondola. Evans took over SIECO and continued building the cars through December 1981. A total of 1,730 cars were built with three minor body variations. This model represents the second and the most common version. The unpainted kit consists of a one-piece body and frame casting made of high quality, no-odor urethane, hidden weight along with brass and white metal brake components. Assembly is easy using CA or epoxy. Decals, trucks, and couplers not included. Decals for the Evans Gondola are available for Maine Central, #12720, for $7.95 and for CNW, #12721, for $5.95. REVIEW: Franktown Water Tank #VTFTWT: MSRP: $79.95 Wiseman Model Services, 627 Cedar Lake, Ewing, KY 41039 606-267-3466 • www.locopainter.com Reviewed by Joe Giannovario The Prototype This unusual square water tower serviced the Virginia & Truckee Railroad at Franktown, Nevada in the Washoe Valley. The tank stood until late 1983 when it was lowered to the ground because it had become unstable. A two-thirds sized replica can be seen at the Nevada State Railroad Museum [www.nsrm-friends.org/nsrm88.html]. The Kit This kit consists of a cast resin base, tank, roof; a bag of pre-cut wood parts, and a bag of soft white metal castings, plus plans and instructions. Assembly I read all the instructions before assembly and familiarized myself with the various parts. The instructions note 48 • O Scale Trains - Mar/Apr ’09 that the roof fits on the tank only one way and is marked with an "F" on the underside. I could not find the mark, nor did it seem to matter which way the roof sat on the tank. All of the cast parts were examined for flash and cleaned up accordingly. I noted a strong odor, almost like kerosene, coming from the resin castings. This odor was present whenever I sanded or cut the resin. I test fitted the roof to the tank body and noted that the top of the tank casting was not level. The only way to get a level top surface was to either saw off the excess resin or machine it off, as simply filing it off would take forever. I opted to machine it off using a Dremel rotary tool in a vertical tool holder. I could have used a table saw but it would have taken longer to set that up. The resin machined easily and the tank body was level in no time. I then followed the instructions for assembly. I used CA glue for almost all of the assembly. Since the V&T was a standard gauge railroad, I figured the tank would be okay for use on the OST Coal Creek Rwy. layout. Oops! Nope. The Franktown tank was used with standard gauge locomotives, yes, but they were rather small. The assembled tank has a height more appropriate for On30/On3 locomotives. So, I modified the model by adding an extra four scale feet (1") to the bottom of the tank base which I then covered with Plastruct masonry sheet. Had I really thought about it before I started, I would have cut new, longer tank supports. Getting back to the roof, I fitted soffits of 2x6 styrene to the lip on the under side of the roof. I then glued additional 0.040" styrene strips to the inside edges of the soffits. This allowed the roof to slip down over the tank body and sit centered on the body. The only other area that gave me some trouble was setting the tank on the supports. It’s very difficult to get all the supports to line up with the notches in the tank base. So I used a Dremel tool and opened up all of the notches a bit except at the four corners of the tank. I set the tank down on the supports making sure it was supported at the four corners and was both level and square with the base. I then used a polyurethane cement to attach the tank to the supports. The cement foams slightly and expands as it sets, filling any voids in the machined out notches. This worked out very well. I chose not to install the water spout and mechanism as the CCR likes to use water plugs. The frost box on the prototype came out of the back of the tank. I installed a new frost box down the center of the tank into the base (just barely visible in the photo). I painted the tank with a combination of Floquil Rail Brown on all the wooden parts and acrylic craft paint on the rest of the tank parts. Conclusions The kit was easy to assemble and paint. It only took about 6 hours of work total and builds into a unique water tank. My only real issue was having to machine off the top of the tank body. For $80, I think the manufacturer should make sure the top is level before it goes in the box. If you need a water tank for a narrow gauge railroad or just want something different, this might be what you are looking for. REVIEW: Canadian Pacific 4-4-4 Jubilee, 2-Rail w/o sound; MSRP: $995. Weaver Models, PO Box 231, Northumberland PA 17857 570-473-9434 • www.weavermodels.com Reviewed by Joe Giannovario The Prototype The Canadian Pacific built two series of 4-4-4 Jubilee locomotives. The first series of five built in 1936, designated F2a, had 80” drivers and the main rod was connected to the first set of drivers as if it were a 4-4-0 American. The second series consisted of 20 locomotives designated F1a and numbered from 2910-2929. These F1a engines, built in 1938, had 75” drivers and were lighter in weight than the F2a class. The F1a engines were designed for lightweight streamlined intercity passenger service which never materialized. They were then assigned to secondary local passenger service on the prairies and in eastern Canada. One photo I found online showed an F1a pulling a string of three heavyweight passenger cars. Locomotive #2929 was known to have operated between Montreal and Ottawa in 1957 and as late as 1958 between Montreal and Farnham, Ontario. The 2929 was sold in 1959 to American entrepreneur F. Nelson Blount who founded the original Steamtown in New Hampshire. The 2929 resides in the current Steamtown outside of Allentown, Pa. One other F1a exists at the Canadian Railway Museum in Delton, Quebec. No examples of an F2a exist. More information about the Jubilee class can be found online at [http://www.nps.gov/history/history/ online_books/steamtown/shs3h.htm]. The Model Weaver has produced a brass model of the F1a Jubilee. The model sent for review was painted, lettered and numbered 2929. Weaver also offers number 2928. A certificate was included with the model that indicated only 70 2-Rail models have been made. The model is constructed in the manner typical of imported brass locomotives: a formed brass boiler, cab and tender with assorted cast brass fittings. The model was assembled nicely and the finish was flawless. The model has lighted class lamps, headlight and backup light. The headlight and backup light are directional. Fidelity Upon removal from its packing, the valve gear rods were observed to be bent, as were the hangers. I was able to bend them back in shape with my fingers. The rods seem to be made of soft plated brass. I would prefer the rods and valve gear be made of harder material like Nickel Silver. The main rod and eccentric are held in place with a slotted screw. A hex head screw would have been better looking. Other than these two items, the model looks very nice. I located plans for the F1a in the December 1963 issue of Model Railroader. I checked all the major dimensions and found only a few discrepancies. The most notable difference is the lead truck wheel diameter. They should be 33” but measure out at 29”on the model. The lead truck wheelbase was also extended on the model by 4 scale inches. I presume this was done to permit operation on sharp curves for the 3-Rail versions. Nevertheless, the overall length of the locomotive and the driving wheelbase is not compromised. For those who object to the smaller diameter wheels, they can be replaced. I also noted that the boiler diameter is a scale foot too wide but it is not really noticeable. The color of the cab window frame, which should have been Tuscan Red, was near fuscia. The tuscan panel on the tender seemed a tad too long in both directions. The former is fixable, the latter is not. The air pipes on the air tank over the lead truck are missing but are an easy addition to make. Lastly, I noted the tender has markings indicating a 7000 gallon capacity while both the drawing and online references indicate 7700 gallons. Also, the drawing shows 12 tons of coal marked on the tender while the model has no notation for coal. Compatibility All the wheels and drivers checked out against an NMRA O Scale Standards Gage. Since this is a DC-only model it will operate with other DC-only locomotives. Because of the very low starting voltage, it will not run well with Dual-mode DCC or DCS engines in DC mode. The tender came equipped with a Kadee® compatible scale coupler. Performance The test model was 2-Rail DC without sound. The engine weighed four lbs. exactly and the tender weighed 1.5 lbs. The model started moving with no load at 1.7 Volts and 300mA. The speed was steady at five scale miles per hour. With nine O Scale freight cars attached (approx. nine lbs.) the current draw at the same voltage was 400mA on level track. However, with the nine cars attached, the engine could not pull the train up a 3+% grade. I reduced the number of cars from nine to eight and then to seven before it would take the train up the grade with a great deal of slipping. I suspected the model suffered from low engine weight because of the lack of a smoke unit in the boiler as did the CP Empress I tested earlier (OST #37, pg 58), so I grabbed a chunk of Tungsten from my workbench and taped it on the boiler over the center of the drivers. This extra 6.5 ounces made a huge difference in performance and the locomotive climbed the grade with no problem drawing 700mA. Conclusions This is a very nice model of an unusual wheel arrangement specific to the Canadian Pacific Railway. Nonetheless, it's nice to see small steam locomotives on the market. It runs smoothly and quietly but I would strongly recommend adding extra weight to this engine if it's purchased without sound and smoke. Mar/Apr ’09 - O Scale Trains • 49 Review: MTH GE Dash 8-40C w/Scale Wheelsets; MSRP: $449.95 MTH Electric Trains, 7020 Columbia Gateway Dr, Columbia, MD 21046 www.mthtrains.com Reviewed by Gene Clements & Joe Giannovario The Prototype Produced by General Electric, the first production Dash 8 models went to the Union Pacific as 9100 series in December of 1987. Although similar in carbody design to the C-39-8, the cab was raised sufficiently to match the hood contours over the dynamic brake apparatus resulting in a smooth roof design. Originally produced with the GE standard cab and low nose, later production units were equipped with the wide North American style cab and carried a (W) designation for Wide Cab. The unit’s identification stands for Dash 8, 1980’s improved electronics and features, which included the primary dynamic brake grids enclosed in an enlarged box over the brake blower fan mounted at the cab end of the prime mover. 40 stands for 4,000 H.P. plus and the “C” stands for 6 powered axles. The Model This is not the MTH 2-Rail model from the 1990s. Although this locomotive has a plastic body and metal frame as used before, the quality and detail is much improved. Twin vertical can motors power the unit. The die-cast fuel tank houses the speaker for the sound system and brings the weight in at 7 lbs. 4 ozs. This weight produces excellent tractive effort. Without scale plans to check measurements, the unit is a scale 71’ 6” over the face of the Kadee® couplers. It is a scale 10’ wide and stands 15’ 6” from the rail top to the roof of the cab. The unit is factory equipped with Proto-Sound 2.0, a variable smoke unit, operating headlights, flashing ditch lights and scale wheels with fixed front and rear pilots. The unit is also available in 3-Rail and unpowered versions. Other road names include CSX, C&NW and Norfolk Southern. Fidelity The unit was painted in Union Pacific colors, lettered and numbered correctly. The paintwork is sharp and crisp down to the warning placards on the long hood. Grab irons, stanchions and safety railings all appear to be installed per prototype photos. Additional details included coupler lift levers, m.u. hoses and cab crew. The pilots accept Kadee No. 806 coupler boxes which are attached with two machine screws supplied with the engine. An included snowplow also attaches to the front pilot in the same manner. A word about the sound: a couple of days after this unit arrived and had been through its paces, I caught a trip with BNSF #863, a Dash 8-40CW built in 1992. The idle of the 8-40 is distinctive; 50 • O Scale Trains - Mar/Apr ’09 without knowing better, you’d swear a couple of the pistons were swapping cylinders as the prime mover idles. After returning home, I ran the MTH 8-40 again and can say it sounds like the real thing. Compatibility (Joe Giannovario) I checked all the wheels with the NMRA O Scale standards gage. All the wheelsets passed. Once installed, the scale couplers were at the correct height without the need for shimming. Performance I tested the unit on a conventional DC system while Joe tested both DC and DCS systems. Our results are: Gene’s Comments - The unit was operated using a Starr Tech “Hogger” DC throttle. The sound system turns on and goes through start-up at 4 volts. At 5 to 6 volts the headlights illuminate and at 7+ volts (@ 200mA) the unit will start to move. At standard speed on my layout (30-40 smph) the unit drew 12 volts at 55% throttle. At 90% plus throttle this unit will move an estimated 60+ smph. Once the sound system goes through start-up, the prime mover revs up with the increase of power; likewise it throttles down as power is decreased until you stop and the sound system returns to idle. Once stopped with the throttle off, the battery backup keeps the sound system active in idle for about 30 seconds. Then the sound system cycles through shutdown and turns off. The sound system is not playable or adjustable in DC mode, with the exception of the volume control located underneath the radiator housing. Since MTH’s DCS system is proprietary, you will need to use it to enjoy the full effects of the sound system. In testing on level track the engine reached 28 ozs. of drawbar pull prior to wheel slip. As everyone knows who reads my writings, I like to run multiple powered units in consist. I operated the 8-40C with an MTH SD70ACe and other conventional DC Diesels without onboard electronics. MU’d with the 70ACe, the two ran together as a team but the electronics seemed to compete with each other. Operating with non-electronic units, these engines tended to push or pull the 8-40C simply because of the electronics’ power requirements. Operating as a single unit or with a dummy yielded good results. Joe’s Comments - The slowest speed in DCS mode was 2.5 smph. Since this is a road engine, not a switcher, this is quite acceptable. In DC mode the slowest smooth speed attainable was 4.3 scale mph which is a bit on the high side. The power draw at this speed was 9.8 Volts and 400mA. Under a full load using my 12 standard freight cars, the locomotive drew 800 mA at 12 Volts on grade. Conclusions It is obvious from just viewing the model that MTH has been listening to its customer base. For those of you like me who own MTH 2-Rail Diesels from the 1990s, you will be impressed by the attention to detail and efforts to improve their products in order to compete in the O Scale marketplace. As Joe noted in his Observations from issue 41, Nov/Dec 2008, MTH plans to have DCC compatible locomotives out in the fourth quarter of 2009. I, for one, will be looking forward to those products because when our hobby suppliers listen, the consumers win. Product Review: Standard O and P48 passenger car trucks.; MSRP, $150 Wasatch Model Company, PO Box 5669, Vernon Hills, IL 60061 847-833-5862 • www.wasatchmodel.com Drive unit that was mounted to one axle. These power extraction units were typically mounted on the inboard axle closest to the body-mounted generator. My preproduction samples also included a casting for the generator which can be mounted to the carbody and connected to the axle unit with a length of flexible rubber tubing. The axle unit slides easily Reviewed by Mike Cougill in a lateral fashion on the axle to accommodate our much tighter than prototype curves. The Prototype Fidelity Lightweight passenger car technology came onto the railChecking the wheels against a P48 track gage showed road scene quickly in the pre and post-War eras, along with them to be right on the money. The same with the Standard new designs for four wheel trucks. According to an article O version when checked with an NMRA gage. Both trucks by Pat Wider in the Railroad Prototype Cyclopedia’s Vol. 6, are fully sprung and very free rolling. Since the I&W is a unlike freight car trucks, there really wasn’t a widely accepted freight operation, I don’t have any passenger equipment to way of classifying lightweight passenger trucks. Truck designs test the trucks on. However, I took the P48 truck for a stroll were all over the map due to the variety of manufacturers on the layout and it tracked well everywhere with a satisfying who were competing for the business. The Pullman Company clatter through the turnouts and rail joints. While I won’t be came up with a descriptive system of numbers and letters modeling any passenger service, these trucks are a welcome that identified most of the trucks in use with their cars, but it addition for O Scalers who do. The Standard O versions are is complicated to remember and use. For a more technical available from Wasatch while the P48 will be available from explanation of the details of the prototype’s truck designs and Protocraft. features, I refer all of you gentle readers to Pat’s article. The Model Roger Lewis of Wasatch Model Company is producing lightweight passenger car trucks based on the Southern Pacific’s 1939 prototype designs. The trucks are available with either Standard O (1-1/4” gauge, .145 wheels) or P48 wheelsets. The P48 version also has a correctly scaled bolster, which is 3-1/2 inches narrower than the Standard O trucks. Two confessions are in order immediately. I know next to nothing about passenger car trucks and even less about the Southern Pacific’s passenger cars and operations. Upon initial examination, the Wasatch trucks look very nice indeed. They are made of heavy brass castings that feature crisp detailing, right down to the lettering on the lids of the journal boxes. I was able to read most of this tiny lettering with the help of a strong magnifying glass, although some of it was obscured by the paint layer. The triple bolster design of the prototype is nicely represented on the model along with the brake hangers and other details. Overall, the workmanship was excellent and very clean. The wheelbase scaled out correctly at 8’-6” and the unpainted nickel silver wheels are insulated for two rail operation. Both versions featured a Spicer Positive Generator Mar/Apr ’09 - O Scale Trains • 51 Review: Non-Derail Circuit Board #6924, 2 or 3-Rail; MSRP: $ 19.95 Atlas O, LLC, 378 Florence Avenue, Hillside, NJ 07205 908-687-9590 • www.atlaso.com Logging Caboose: Reviewed by Gene Clements A new electronic board released by Atlas O is designed to insure correct current polarity when throwing switches (turnouts) for train routing. Engineered to work in either a 2-Rail or 3-Rail application, the board will control up to two separate turnouts. The Non-Derail Circuit Board is compatible with DC control systems and AC systems such as TMCC/Legacy, DCS and DCC. Although designed for use in O Scale, the Non-Derail Circuit Board can be used in other popular scales. The board requires a power supply of 6-22 Volts, AC or DC. The electrical non-derail operation is provided by a DPDT 8 amp latching relay for power routing plus auxiliary uses. Optional outputs are provided for connecting add-on accessories such as the Atlas O Dwarf Signals to provide turnout indications or LEDs for control panel turnout indications. Additionally, the Non-Derail Circuit Board interfaces with the Atlas O 21st Century Signal System and Custom Signals products and signal control boards. When used in a 2-Rail control system application, the non-derail board provides polarity reversing for the turnout points and closure rails or frog dependant on the type turnout being used. An additional 2-Rail feature of the board is the automatic control of a reverse loop by adding separate detection units for the loop and its approach. Designed to work with the Atlas O turnout motors, the board will also work with Tortoise turnout motors and other electrically powered turnout motors commonly used on O Scale layouts. In conclusion, rated at 8 Amps the Non-Derail Circuit Board should handle most all O Scale locomotives and lighted cars by providing correct power routing and improved electrical pick-up through your turnouts. Its ability to control your turnout motors, either manually or automatically by route selection, should ease some of the headaches involved with wiring and dead spots on your turnouts. A detailed wiring diagram is included with each circuit board that shows the power hook-ups, auxiliary signal wiring, non-derail switch motor and Tortoise switch motor wiring, as well as diagrams for reverse loop wiring (2-Rail), turnout position indication, power routing and installation in a TMCC/ DCS SC2/ AIU electrical system. So check out the NonDerail Circuit Board at your local hobby shop, Atlas O dealer or on the Atlas O website. I’m sure you’ll find a spot where it will be useful on your layout. 52 • O Scale Trains - Mar/Apr ’09 I tend to model in spurts. There are times when I can’t get enough time at the workbench and other times when I don’t go out there for weeks. Happily right now, I’m in a busy spurt! However, when I went to work on my current projects, I sadly discovered I couldn’t do much of anything. It seemed that every project needed something that was back ordered. I know we all have been there and know how frustrating that can be. I have walked away more than once because of it. Many years ago in the mid ‘70s, I built a narrow gauge four wheeled logging caboose for a friend. A very fun project! I always thought I would do one for myself someday. Well, recently, my friend Dan Downing and I have discussed building a logging caboose or two. Both of us have become interested in standard gauge modeling after our many years of narrow gauge modeling. As a result of this, I have been going through my parts bin to see what can be used for standard gauge. Among the parts I found were an old set of eight Lee Town pedestals and another half of a set. I also found a pair of P48, 30” Northwest Shortline wheels, some link and pin couplers, Grandt Line brake shoes, assorted NBWs and all the things I’d need for an interior. Gee, I have everything needed to build this model and I can build it much the same way a real logging line would by using what I had on hand. This would be a nice diversion while I waited for the back orders for my other projects. After a little research, I was ready. I had enough stripwood from Mt. Albert on hand; however, I needed some special pieces, so I cut those on my table saw with a veneer blade. With my wood cut I was ready to start the assembly. Since this model was being built board by board, I pre-weathered every piece. I always try to do something new with every project and hopefully add a new technique to my skills. For this project I wanted a very weathered car, one where the paint was nearly gone! Photo 1 shows the tools and materials I used. Photo 2 shows each step of the 1 process on a sample piece of stripwood and explains how I achieved the effect I wanted. It is basically a 6step process: Step 1: I grained the wood with a scriber and a wire brush (shown on the A Diversion Model William W. Davis 2 lon drum and some Grandt Line caboose stove parts. I also scratchbuilt a bench for the figures, added a calendar on the wall, some firewood for the stove and the interior was done (Photo 4). far left section of the sample piece). I don’t like using the The undercarriage is pretty simple and Photo 5 illustrates Zona saw method as I feel the graining looks to uniform to be the creosote effect on the wood. realistic. Afterward I lightly sanded the pieces with some 400 This was a fun project! I’m glad I did it! I’m sure if you are grit wet/dry sandpaper to remove the wood fuzz and soften digging around in your parts box, you just might be amazed the graining effect a little. We all tend to overdo the graining at what you have in there. Who knows what fun diversion because it looks so good. That’s OK as it adds character to our project might be waiting for you. Bottom line: Have fun. After models. However on the other side of the coin, if you were all, isn’t that what this is all about? u to take a piece of wood that had been left in the desert to be sandblasted by the wind, took a picture of it and reduced the picture to ¼” scale, that piece would look nearly smooth. 3 Step 2: Next I dipped the wood into a home brewed mix of black shoe dye and alcohol (second segment). You can use commercial products like Weather -It or Silverwood. Step 3: I have been using a lot more craft paints on my models these days. The Apple Barrel brand can be bought at Wal Mart or your local arts and craft store. I feel they work well in many applications, especially when it comes to weathering. Now, to me, the wood looked too gray. So after it dried, I gave it a light coat of an Apple Barrel country tan which I rubbed in with my finger (third section). Messy, but fun. This made the wood look much better. Step 4: For the underframe, I gave the pieces a coat of a sweet and sour mix and put it in my shop microwave which 4 made it look like it had been creosoted. I don’t recommend doing this in your kitchen, as your wife will kill you for messing with the microwave. Now for the siding, I drybrushed on Apple Barrel Barn Red, being careful to leave some of the unpainted wood color showing through, and let it dry naturally (fourth segment). Step 5: When the siding pieces dried, I lightly sanded them with 100 grit sandpaper, which removed a lot of the red, making it look like it hadn’t been painted in many, many years. The effect I was after! (Fifth segment.) Step 6: Finally, I again brushed on a coat of the shoe dye and alcohol mix to even it all out. I know this sounds like a long process but the end results are worth the effort (sixth segment). Now that the wood was ready, it was time to assemble all those little pieces into something. I basically winged it. I did 5 what looked good to me as I went along. Probably what a real logging line did. This gave me a lot of freedom and was a fun way to create a model. I wouldn’t do this on most of the models I build but this, as mentioned earlier, was a diversion model so it was anything goes. I made several simple drawings of the underframe, the walls and the roof framing and I assembled the pieces over these drawings. This created a series of sub assemblies to create the caboose. The roof was to be removable. I needed to hide that fact and at the same time keep it on the car. To do this I mounted the fascia to the roof instead of the walls, making sure that it had about a 3” reveal below the roof framing (Photo 3). This made it fit tight and it doesn’t look removable. For the interior I added a bunch of tools, some figures, and a stove that I built years ago from a Grandt line 55 gal- Mar/Apr ’09 - O Scale Trains • 53 2009 Convention Layout Tours Part 1 The 2009 O Scale National features a large number of layouts to visit representing O Scale, Proto48, On3, On30, and scale Hi-Rail. Many of the layouts have been featured in the model press. We are arranging for a significant number of layouts to be open so you can visit them before the convention on Wednesday, June 17, or afterwards on Sunday, June 21. These layouts will be organized along travel corridors. The three major groupings are southern (Routes 95 and 81 from the south), northern (Routes 95and 81 from the north), and western (Routes 70 and 68 from the west). Layout tours during the convention will be available Thursday evening and Saturday afternoon. Some layouts will be open on multiple dates. A detailed schedule of layout dates and times will be posted on the convention website, and will be made available to registrants at the convention. A sampling of the layouts arranged as of December is described below. Additional layouts are expected to be available. Southern Group: Layouts in Northern Virginia, DC, and Maryland suburbs near DC. Bob Guillete: Bob’s New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad layout demonstrates that you really don’t need a lot of space to have a great O Scale layout. This layout features the best of the New Haven’s steam as well as colorful early Diesels. The layout’s urban setting provides the perfect backdrop for train watching and way freight operation. Rick Wright: Rick’ s CONUS Lines (CONUS is short for Continental United States) is a 24x35 ft. John Armstronginspired, Hi-Rail layout featuring a double-tracked mainline with a 2.2% ruling grade; extensive yard and engine terminal facilities, and a branchline to service a coal mine and apple warehouse. The layout is designed for prototypical operation. For this convention, trains of the Western Maryland, Baltimore & Ohio, and Norfolk & Western will be featured in the 194855 timeframe. 54 • O Scale Trains - Mar/Apr ’09 Gary Eames: This multilevel, medium-sized layout is another John Armstrong Hi-Rail design and includes a helix as well as unique solutions to the mushroom design. Based on the Pennsy’s Northern Central, it features numerous scratchbuilt buildings based on prototypes in Baltimore (Fell’s Point, Canton, & Pig Town) and suburbs (Monkton). There is a rotary dumper with sound effects, a coal loading facility, a spectacular union station and other interesting scenes. John Sethian: A PRR layout that includes electrics, and a mid-town Manhattan scene. John retained the MTH DCS control system for full-featured sound effects and control. There is a double (and in some places four) track main line. The visible curves are all super elevated, with radii ranging from 57 to about 200-inch. John’s goal is to depict GG1s, P5s and the occasional K4 flying over the townships of New Jersey. The broadest radius section has a four track main crossing a four track flyover. Western Group: Layouts in or near Cumberland, Westminster, and Rockville, MD, Berkeley Springs, WV, and Gettysburg, PA. Wes Morganstern’s Western Maryland East Subdivision is 32’ X 24’ 2-Rail with DCC layout based on the Westminster to Highfield, MD, segment of the original WM line between Baltimore and Hagerstown, in the 50s. The focal point of the layout is Union Bridge, where a large cement plant and the WM’s car shop provide significant traffic. Equipment includes Soundtraxx equipped steam and Diesel locomotives. Most of the scenery is in place and operating sessions with switch lists and Form 19 train orders have been started. Pat Mitchell’s Proto 48, Black Fork Grade on the Western Maryland features heavy coal trains and helpers between Elkins and Thomas WV. All steam operation with battery power and DCC with sound running on highly detailed P48 track. This large railroad is under construction and has several outstanding innovations, including a train elevator. Jay Beckham’s layout is based on the fabled Chicago, South Shore and South Bend Railroad. Currently under construction, it will eventually feature 400 feet of point to point running. The layout will be controlled by a dispatcher using a CTC machine. The CTC will be interfaced with a PC using DCC by NCE, Bruce Chubb’s C/MRI, and JMRI. All benchwork is completed and 95% of the track has been laid. You can track Jay’s progress on his web site at [http://www.south-shore-line.com/.] Lee Gasparick’s Large 2-track mainline railroad features Pennsylvania and New York Central RR steam and 1st generation Diesels pulling long passenger and freight trains through the countryside. Construction of the benchwork and track is essentially complete, but continues on sidings, industries, and scenery. Lee has the ability to run guest locomotives on conventional DC even though his trains run on battery power, using RCS (Remote Control System) hand-held, walk-around throttles. Lee has invested considerable time and effort into his locomotives to improve their low speed performance and pulling power. Arthur Selby: The 1950s Blue Ridge Midland Railroad is a John Armstrong designed 36 x 25 foot multi-level layout housed in its own building. Hagerstown, the operational center, features motive power of the Western Maryland, Reading, B&O, C&O, PRR and N&W. White Sulfur Springs, WV, the passenger terminal, features equipment from many railroads. Six DC Cabs are available to keep the trains moving. George Eschbach’s Bald Eagle and Northern Railroad (BEAN) emphasizes passenger train operations centered at a June 18 - 20, 2009 Join us for the 2009 O scale National Convention n By Baltimore O Scale, LLC & The Baltimore Society of Model Engineers n Friday Evening Banquet n Model Contests n Layout Tours n Tours & Visits to nearby: large urban station, and features beautiful long distance and local BEAN and PRR passenger trains. A large freight yard, coach yard, engine facility, and commissary are near the station. The city scene features many fine scratchbuilt and kitbashed structures. The layout appeared in OST #30, Jan/Feb 2007. A narrow gauge branch is under construction. Rich Randall’s layout is under construction and features the Milwaukee Road at the Avery, Idaho Division Point in the early 70s. Trains to and from the east will transit the Rocky Mountains into Montana. Trains to and from the west will transit the Idaho panhandle into eastern Washington. Electric locomotives and helpers will be exchanged with Diesels at Avery with the help of DCC control. Occasional steam railfan specials are run (not prototypical, but they look good). The east end of the railroad is not built and there is no scenery as of December but work continues. u B&O Transportation Museum Baltimore Streetcar Museum BOSS,LLC., P.O. Box 14, Baldwin, MD 21013 For Updates, visit: www.OscaleEast.com Mar/Apr ’09 - O Scale Trains • 55 M ullet River O Scale Caboose Models odel Works 118 Huson Ct. • Plymouth, WI 53073 Phone 920-892-8159 WWW.mulletrivermodelworks.com > Laser cut plywood body with working windows > Full interior with roof ribs and purlins > Separate doors can be modeled in the open position > Working windows > Etched brass underframes � 403001 SOO Line Caboose with single window cupola� $120.00 403002 SOO Line Caboose with two side window cupola� $120.00 403003 DSS&A Caboose� � � � $120.00 403004 C&NW Caboose with no end windows� � $120.00 403005 C&NW Caboose with end windows� � $120.00 403006 C&NW Caboose with all wood underframe� $120.00 403007 Big Four Caboose� � � $120.00 403008 Milwaukee Road Caboose with tall cupola� � $120.00 403009 CB&Q 28' Caboose� � � $120.00 403010 CB&Q 30' Caboose� � � $120.00 403011 SOO Line 34' Caboose� � � $120.00 403012 Central of Georgia Caboose with tong and groove side�$120.00 403013 Yosemite Valley Caboose� � � $120.00 403014 Central of Georgia Caboose with plywood side� $120.00 403015 Colorado & Southern Caboose standard gage� $120.00 403016 C&NW Bay Window Caboose tong and groove side� $120.00 403017 C&O-Pere Marquette Caboose� � $120.00 403018 Southern Pacific C-30-1 Caboose� � $120.00 403019 Southern Pacific CS-15 Caboose� � $120.00 403020 Grand Trunk Western Caboose� � $120.00 403021 New York Central Caboose� � � $120.00 403022 Boston & Albany Caboose� � � $120.00 Direct! TBuy WIN WHISTLE SIGN & KIT C New New New New New 31 Turnberry Drive, Arden, NC 28704 (828) 684-6 See your dealer or our web site for more photos Th Kit Footprint: 10” x 4.5” Buy Directly from our e-store! WWW.TWINWHISTLE.COM 56 • O Scale Trains - Mar/Apr ’09 • Pre-C • Comp • Asso • Wide Graph • Gran Wind • Scrib twinwhi Jus Golden Gate Depot Trains Info (302) 453-0465 Orders (888) 453-9742 2009 Lionel Product Classics Sets *Delivered $* IN-STOCK L-3a, 3b, 3c *Mon-Fri 9-6 Sat 11-4* NYC 21” 6-pk 575 2-Pk 259 Fax Orders (302) 368-6447 P70 20” Coach 4-Pk 399 215 Newark Shopping Center Newark, DE 19711 Store open 7 days a week MC VISA DISC. AMEX Atlas 2-Rail Clearance Trainman 40’ Sliding Door Box Car BAR, JC, Lack, GN, NP 40’ Plug Door Box C&O, CGW, WM Bay Window Caboose CSX, Frisco, MP, SP 40’ Hy-Cube Box Car UP, Burlington, ICG, MR 27 27 27 27 Master Series 40’ Pulpwood Flat Car 35 D&H, SF, WM 3-Bay Cylindrical Hopper 35 PRR, Cumberland, USI Petro, 6-Bay Cylindrical Hopper 35 Wabash, Cotton Belt 40’ GATX Airslide Hopper 35 RG, PRR, Brach’s, Chessie, PC PS-4427 Grain Hopper 35 Continental, Producers, PRR, B&M 33K Gallon Tank Car 35 Wanda, ACF Demo War Emergency DC Hopper 35 B&O, Burl, GA, L&N, PRR, Alton 40’ USRA Sgl Sheath Box Car 35 SP MOW, MOW, PRR, JC, CNJ WM, RFP, Erie, MKT, PRR Lines 40’ Steel Rebuilt Box Car 35 C&NW, RS&P, C&O, MoPac 53’ Evans Plug Door Box Car 35 BN, UP, MP, Aloha, Bend Mills, MNS 60’ Auto Parts Box Car 40 CN, GTW, N&W, C&O, UP, CB Extended Vision Caboose 45 BN, RG, BN Freedom, DMIR, GN, Chessie Safety, SF Ltd, Rutland, SOO Line, Chessie, Indian Harbor, RF&P, Conrail Standard Cupola Caboose 45 MRL, NS, N&W NE-6 Caboose 45 NH, Clinchfield, P&LE, WLE, N&W, NYS&W, Conrail, Shaw 40’ Woodside Reefer 35 Blatz, Del Maiz, Silver Edge, B&M, WP, Atlas, Phoenix, Century, Merchant’s, Nash, ART, Fairmont, Donaldson, Goetz, LaCrosse, 40’ Re-Built Woodside Reefer 35 Undec, Hardy Salt, Oak Grove, Silver Edge, Canada Dry, Prairie Farm, Glaser – Crandell,, Meeter’s, Pabst-ett, Stokely’s, Sun-Rayed 36’ Woodside Reefer 35 Und, Hormel, Oscar Mayer, Krey’s Cudahy, NKP, Sou Star, Clicquot, Page, Pearl-Brand, Fox Beer, , Wescott & Winks, Crown, Blatz Kornblum, Columbus, Noack, Swift’s, Kahn’s, Kraft, Rath’s Grand Union, Ralston Purina, 50-Ton Fishbelly DC Hopper 35 Und, NS, B&O, ACL, D&H x 2 11K Gallon Tank Car 35 Columbia, Homgas, Essotane, Hooker, Adirondack, Undec 17K Gallon Tank 45 Hooker, PPG, ADM, Cargill, LSI, GATX, Minn.Corn Products 89’ Flats Erie, FEC, SF, WP 45 MTH 2008 Vol II 2 or 3R MTH 2009 Vol I Weed Sprayer 3-Unit Pwr 399 Premier #1562W Burl GP-7 Pass Set 299 UP, C&O, NP Dmy 3pk 209 Madison 5-Pk 335 2-Pk 137 #2291W FM Thunderbird Frt 269 NYC Mohawk 2 or 3 Rail 999 JC, NYO&W, Reading RPO 77 L-4a, 4b L-4a Mohawk Freight Set 1079 NYC 35’ Wood Caboose x 3 52 Erie, VGN 2-8-8-8-2 Triplex 1299 LIRR, PRSL, PRR 12# #2124W GG-1 Irvington Set 299 DMIR 2-8-8-4 Yellowstone 1299 Princess Coronation Steam 1079 1399 London, Midland, & Scot, British Heavyweight 20” 4-Pk 399 #1484WS #2056 Hudson Pass 399 Yellowstone Freight Set 4-6-0 G-5a LIRR, PRR x2 719 GP-35 Pwr 389 Dmy 169 3R 399 RDG, LV Wilkes Classic Engines & Add-ons PRR N5C Caboose x4 52 PRR, NYC, GN, Alaska PRR 20” Head-End Set 359 4-6-0 Camelback Steam 819 SD70ACe 389 Dmy 169 2R 399 JC, NYO&W, Reading BHP Billiton, KCS, UP 2-10-0 Russian Decapod 899 SD70M-2 389 Dmy 169 2R 399 Pullman 12-1 Heavywt Sleeper 109 #2340 Tuscan 5-Stripe GG-1 179 Erie, Pitt Shaw& N, W. Md NS, CN PRR & Pullman New Run #2338 Milwaukee Rd GP-7 145 0-6-0 525 PRR, ACL, MP, NKP SD40-2 3-Rail Pwr 359 Dmy 169 Reserve 899 UP, Marquette, IC, BCR #2331 VGN FM Trainmaster 155 4-6-4 Royal Hudson 21” SP Daylt Alum 5-Pk 575 Saiger Obs 45 Burl Coach 39 BC, CP, Southern, CP-Royal Tour F-3 ABA 649 Dummy B 139 Express 2-3-1 Pacifc 899 B&M, CN, SF, SP&S SP Articulated Diner Set 575 Lionel 2008 Volume I Orient 5-Car Orient Passenger Set $419 F40PH 3-R Power 389 Dmy 169 21” PRR Smooth Side 5Pk 575 Fleche D’Or 2-3-1E Pacific 899 Alaska, Amtrak, CAR, VIA “Fleet of Mod”, Brown Post-War 0-6-0 USRA Steam 519 E-8 ABA 649 Dmy B 139 CB&Q, GM&O, MEC, RI, T&P B&O, Burl, Lack, PRR Madison 5-Pk 335 2-Pk 137 Premier Passenger Cars 5-Pk 335 NYC F-12e 4-6-0 Ten Wheeler 575 Brass John Bull Passenger Set 385 JC, NYO&W, Reading RPO 77 2-Pk 137 Full Vista 77 RPO 77 PRR “Queen Mary” Observation VGN 2-8-8-8-2 Triplex 1299 Alaska, B&O, Burlington, Lack, 2007 Volume I - Legacy Erie, & PRR D78 Diner 265 Del PRR, Sante Fe, VIA Rail N&W 4-8-4 J-Class 999 2 #’s PRR P70 20” Coach 4-Pk 399 FEC SD70M-2 Twin-Stack 649 GP-7 359 Dmy 169 BAR, Erie LIRR, PRSL, PRR Post-War 12# UP SD70ACe Twin Stack Set 649 GP-9 359 Dmy 169 C&O, UP PRR B70 Baggage, PB70 Combine, UP FEF w/Legacy Grey or Blk 989 GP-35 Pwr 389 Dmy 169 3R 399 AEM-7 Electric 389 Dmy 169 BM70 Mail RPO 3-Pk 359 Lionel Blow-outs Amtrak x 3, MARC, Septa PRR, NYC, GN, Alaska, GM&O 20” Head-End Set 359 Steel Reefer 2-Pk 65 SD45 Pwr 389 Dmy 169 2R 399 Amfleet 4-Passenger 277 2-Pk 142 B&O, GN, NH, NYC, NP, N&W, SF, Septa, MARC, Amtrak x 2 MR, GN x 2, SF, UP Dubuque, ADM, National SP Green, SP Gray, SP Daylt, Pullman, SD70ACe 389 Dmy 169 2R 399 EP-3 Electric 739 NH x 3 UP Gray, UP Yellow, Undec Green BHP Billiton, KCS, UP MTH 2008 Vol I 2 or 3 R 20” Diner/Observation 2-Pk 265 SD70M-2 389 Dmy 169 2R 399 B&O, C&O, CBQ, CP, GN,N&W, NH, 21921 Imco PS-2 Hopper 2-Pk 75 SP Cab Forward Freight Set 1389 NS, CN MR NP, NYC Gray, NYC Betterment, U30C Diesel Dmy 119 CNW E-4 Strm Hudson Pass Set 999 SD40-2 3-Rail Pwr 359 Dmy 169 Pullman, SP Gray, SP Green, SP Daylt, Alco S-2 359 CVT, JC, NP, SF UP, Marquette, IC, BCR UP Gray, UP Yellow, Undec PRR P-5a Box Cab Electric 739 F-3 ABA 649 Dummy B 139 Pullman 8-1-2 Heavywt Sleeper 109 Diesels Pwr 389 Dmy w/Lts 169 C&O 4-Pk 250 2-Pk 140 Diner 150 B&M, CN, SF, SP&S Pullman, NYC, NYC Pullman, PRR F40PH 3-R Power 389 Dmy 169 AC6000 NS, CSX, BNSF, UP REA 54’ Reefer 4# $65 4/$245 Del All seven cars for $525 AC4400cw CNW, KCS, Quebec, UP Alaska, Amtrak, CAR, VIA ACL, B&O, NYC, SF, GN, REA Op. Hot Box wRS 55 MDT, SF Green, REA Red Logo, Orig White PRR F-7 Pwr B 160 Breakdn B 150 Premier Passenger Cars 5-Pk 335 SD-80MAC NS, CSX CP, UP Weaver Models 2009 24597 NYC E-7 Breakdown B 150 2-Pk 137 Full Vista 77 RPO 77 SD-9043MAC SD40-3 Tunnel CN MR 4-6-4 J6a Baltic, 2# 1039 Sante Fe F-7 Breakdown B unit 150 GP-7 359 Dmy 169 BAR, Erie SD45T-2 Tunnel KCS, SP, SLSW Lionel TMCC & Power GP-9 359 Dmy 169 C&O, UP CP 4-4-4 Jubilee TMCC 1039 NJ Transit ALP46 399 Dmy 189 SD-35 Chessie, PRR, Sou, W. MD #990 Legacy Command Set 259 80’ Aluminum 5-Car 569 219 NJ Transit ALP44 389 Dmy 169 Diesels Power 359 Dmy w/Lts 169 GTW, NP, PRR, NYC, GN, CN #993 Legacy Expansion Set TMCC Cab-1 59 Command Base 59 AEM-7 Electric 389 Dmy 169 GP-40 B&O, CNW, Rdg, WC Alaska, N&W, L&N, CNJ GP38-2 BNSF, B & Pitt, MEC, W&S TMCC Command Set 109 Amtrak x 3, MARC, Septa GP38-2 Power 249 TMCC 319 Lionel ZW 365 180W Brick 75 Amfleet 4-Passenger 277 2-Pk 142 SD40-2 CN, Conrail, MoPac, UP US Army, MR, MEC, LV, Chicago TPC 400 149 TPC 300 109 PM-1 62 GP-60M BNSF, Maersk, SF Septa, MARC, Amtrak x 2 Company Row House 45 2/85 3/115 ARC 73 ASC 67 AMC 73 BPC 67 50’ Flat w/35’ Trailer 4# 53 OTC 59 AVC 105 SC-2 Controller 74 EP-3 Electric TTX, NH, NYC, Rdg, WM, PRR VO 1000 Cmd/EOB/RS 249 GA Troop Sleeper 6# 85 Troop Kitchen 4# 85 Troop Hospital 4# 85 Any 6 for 489 Delivered VO 1000 Cmd/EOB/RS WP, C of GA K-Line Circus ’09 21641 Scale Merchandise Flat 21649 City Traction Trolley Vintage Truck 28 Tractor Trailer 21688 18” Heavywt Coach 2-Pk 21691 Flat Car w/ 2 Trailers 21692 CNW MP-15 w/RB&B 21715 Scale Stock Car #50 Silver 38 60 24 172 47 99 38 739 NH x 3 Premier Specialty Sets Specialty Set UP M10000 Diesel Passenger 649 M1000 Coach $85 2# R-11 Subway 4-Car 449 2-Pk 175 Flying Yankee Zephyr 4-Unit 649 649 N&W J Passenger Set 1079 Burlington Zephyr 4-Unit Mark Twain Zephyr 4-Unit 649 2-Car 137 RPO 77 Vista 77 Maersk GP-60M Twin-stack 649 N&W J Express Mail Set 1079 NYC J-1e w/PT Passenger 999 NH East Wind EP-3 Pass Set 819 CNW E-4 Hudson Passenger 999 Zephyr 4-Unit Sets 3 types 649 SP Cab Forward Freight Set 1399 Maersk GP-60M Twin-stack 649 22225 JOMAR 18” Private Obs 79 60’ Flat w/Trash Containers 57 22250 Dining Dept Billboard Reefer 65 East Carbon x2, Gen. Am., Joe Trans C&O M-1 Stm Turbine Pass Set 899 Premier Husky Stack Cars 52 249 18” Aluminum Coach or Shop Car 119 22259 Trailer #2 on Scale Flat Car 40 CSX, KCS, NW OK, Trailer Train 22415 Scale Flat #75 w/ 3 Wagons 38 R50B Express Reefer, 2# 57 PC E-44 Tropicana 4 Reefer Set 475 MOW Troop Cars 50 2/$95 PRR, East Wind, SF, N&W MTH Premier K-Line 2008 Volume I Monon, N&W, CB&Q, Guard, 219 ES44AC 3R 385 2R 399 Dmy 142 C&O, GTW, Erie, WM, L&N, Lack RS-3 Diesel w/TMCC & Smoke 299 Freight Cars 6-Packs 2# BNSF, CP, GE Demo, UP NYC, PRR, PE, E-Lack, B&M Fish Belly WM, Waddel, NYC, VGN Wartime Gondola w/Die-Cast Trucks GN or CNJ Boxcab 78 2-Bay Offset PLE, Erie, NP, Pitt Shaw 64’ Passenger 3-Pk $229 Coach 79 $25 each or 4/$90 4# 2-Bay DC Hopper 38 3-Pk 102 MR Twin Stack 5pk 289 3pk 195 2pk 135 B&O, PRR, UP, CP, LI, Strasburg N&W, MEC, Sou, LN, B&M CN, TTX, Conrail, Sealand New Haven I-5 TMCC/EOB 1049 NP Aluminum Hopper 45 3-Pk 124 Diesel Locomotives O-54, 24” L, Script or Block Reading Alum Tank 45 3-Pk 124 Ore Car 6Pk 192 CN DMIR, MR BLE Union Pacific #80 Coal Turbine 909 UP Gray, SLSW, KCS, LV 4-Pk 299 Overland Models $1700 If Weaver has it in stock, We will get it for you at a discount & ship over $200 for free UP C44ACCTE #5735 Flag UP C44-9W #9700 or #9716 UP C60AC #7567 or #7567 UP SD90043AC #8024 UP SD90AC #8201 Sharknose AB 488 A-Unit 135 NYC, B&O, D&H E44 Electric Conrail, PRR E33 Electric N&W, VA, NH 385 385 R40 4-Car Set 439 Dmy 2-Car 168 Just TrainsTM Most Orders Ship within 24 Hours Orders (888) 453-9742 Info (302) 453-0465 www.justrains.com GP60M BNSF, DC 349 In-Stock Scale Wheels 3rd Rail/Sunset Models Atlas 2-Rail Williams Trains GP60B BNSF Red/Silver DC 325 Discontinuing Engines GP60B BNSF Red/Sil, Dmy 190 Golden Memories GP60 Undec 349 Dmy 185 N&W Class A #1218 or #1242 1150 F-3 AA $219 ABA $315 & Rolling Stock MTH Steam PRR “Doodlebug”, TMCC Scale Wheel Steam w/PS 2.0 2110 BN GP-35, DC 20-3286-2 PRR 2-8-2 Mikado 15” Aluminum 4-Pk 225 2-Pk 115 675 Wab, IC, B&O, MR, Sou, NH, RG, CP WP, SF Red/Sil, SF Blk/Red, TS, NYC O-27 Alco FA-2 AA 199 Erie SF, RI, UP Yellow, UP Silver 725 250 C&O “Heaviest Hudson” L-2/A 1155 GG-1 Girls Freight Set 2-10-0 Russian Decapod 899 20-3288-2 UP 2-8-2 Mikado ACL, Erie, Pitt Shaw& N, W. Md 325 Steam Girls Freight Set 359 GG-1 Girl’s Passenger Set 325 725 MTH Diesels Fixed Pilots 1520W F-3 Texas Special Set 275 2368 B&O F-3 Freight Set 325 N&W J Class Freight Set 375 2111 Reading GP-35, DC 3# 250 Fleche D’Or 2-3-1E Pacific th 899 SD70M-2 2112 SP GP-35, DC 2# 250 Orient Express 2-3-1 Pacifc 899 Most Detailed Die-Cast Ever SD40T-2 5-Car Orient Passenger Set $419 2113 Savannah & Atlanta 250 0-6-0 525 PRR, ACL, MP, NKP FEC, EMD PRR “Old Rivets” GG-1 875 1464W UP 50 Anniversary Set 315 399 Conrail, Bi-Centennial, Wiskers, 2-car add-on $85 Full Set $390 PRR GG-1 Congressional Set 410 Strasburg Grn 5-S, Loewery 5-S 2-car add-on $115 Full Set $515 N&W 4-8-4 J Class Steam 259 DMIR, BLE NW-2 399 C&O, SF, Seabd 149 PRR S-2 Turbine #671 or #681 195 2056 Semi-Scale Hudson 219 SP M-6 w/Vandy Tender 899 #726 Berkshire w/TBII 229 UP SD40-2T Scale Wheels 399 SP M-6 w/Whaleback Tender 899 FA-1 AA 225 B-Unit 80 ABA 299 PA-1 AA 225 B-Unit 80 ABA 299 Dash 9 Power 145 BNSF, CSX, NS, SF, UP, CNW, Amtrak, Con, SP GP9 129 Dmy 80 B&O, BR, MR, 399 4-6-4 Royal Hudson 899 SD70ACe UP Heritage NYC, NS, RI, SF Blue, CN, GN, 2114 WM GP-35, DC 250 BC, CP, Southern, CP-Royal Tour Z-4000 385 AIU 85 DCS 249 Rdg, SP, UP, IC, JC, WM-Fire, PRR SP M-9 w/Whaleback Tender 899 GP38 129 Dmy 80 BNSF, Chessie, NH, NS, SF, GT, AK, GM&O, DTI, PC Reservations available for BL-2 Powered 129 BAR, B&M, 0-6-0 USRA Steam 519 Immediate delivery 2115 NKP GP-35, DC 250 C&O, C&EI, GM Demo, FEC, Monon, CB&Q, GM&O, MEC, RI, T&P RI Red/Black, WM-Fire, MP GP-35 also in PRR, CNW, GA GN M-2 2-6-8-0 2 or 3R 1650 Lionel E-7 AA 239 2235 MR Hiawatha Power B 250 4-6-0 Camelback Steam 819 JC, NYO&W, Reading N&W 4-8-4 J-Class 999 2 #’s 7890 Ann Arbor RS-1, DC Other RS-1: 299 Princess Coronation Steam 1079 NH, RI, C&O London, Midland, & Scot, British MTH Diesel 2 or 3 Rail 7805 Jersey Central SD-35 Golden Gate Depot PRR, LIRR, PRSL P70s In-Stock 275 LV John Wilkes 20” 4-Pk 399 44 Tonner w/Horn 104 SD45 142 Burl, Conrail, CSX, GN Rdg, RG, SF, SP, UP WC SD90 Power 149 BNSF, CSX, Demo, NS, BN, Con, Amtrak, SF UP 4-8-4 FEF, TMCC, EOB 1199 Genesis Power & Dmy 219 CN U2g, GTW U3b, OC U3b 1175 J Class 4-8-4 255 SF Blue Goose 4-8-4 w/TMCC, EOB Cruise B&O, CN, NH, PRR, Wab Berkshire 2-8-4 Steam 225 Die Cast Scale Hudson 349 O27 Hudson 225 NYC, B&O, NP, GP-35 Pwr 389 Dmy 169 3R 399 PRR, NYC, GN, Alaska 7822 CSX SD-35, DC 275 7823 Penn Central SD-35, DC 275 Reading Company 20” 4-pk 399 Chessie, Sou Crescent, PRR SP Daylight 4-8-4 GS-4 249 2-10-4 “Colorado” 2 Heaters 1425 S-2 6-8-6 Turbine 209 PRR Grn CB&Q, B&LE, DMIR N&W Y-6B 2-8-8-2 , EOB 1695 SD45 Pwr 389 Dmy 169 2R 399 MR, GN x 2, SF, UP CPR D-10 4-6-0, 2 versions European PRR Tus 1-S, PRR Tus 5-S, PC, CR PRR Grn 1-S, PRR Silver 1-S, Amtrak EF-4 Rectifier 165 NH, CR, Third Rail Resrvations guarantee item as well as the production N&W, VGN x 2, PRR Blk PRR O-1 2-Unit Electric, TMCC 975 EP-5 Rectifier 132 PRR, NH, AM LIRR BB1 Rats (2), Conv w/Snd 575 72’ (18”) Streamline 4-Pk 179 B&M R-1 4-8-2, TMCC, EOB 925 72’ Madison 4-Pk 219 2-Pk 110 60’ Alum 4-Pk 225 2-Pk 115 60’ Madison 4-Pk 159 Many Roads 60’ Amfleet 3-Pk 155 Amtrak x 2 7840 BNSF Patch Job -8, DC 299 7841 BNSF Patch Job Dmy 195 AA16 NOHAB 3-R 399 2-R 449 A-4 Pacific “Mallard” GN, Denmark, GM Demo, Norway, 3 Types Belgium, Luxembourg, Hungary J&L Silver, Koppers Black 219 299 GP60M SF, DC TRAXX F140 AC2 399 2R 449 299 Demo, SBB Cargo, Veolia, Europe B&O Q4b 2-8-2, EOB 249 GG-1 14” Die-Cast 179 PC, Con Lackawanna, PLC 7848 GE Demo Dash 8, DC GG-1 Scale Electric 875 PRR Sil, PRR Grn 1-S, PRR Grn 5-S, K-Line 2-R Shay $499 SD70ACe 389 Dmy 169 2R 399 BHP Billiton, KCS, UP Dash 8, DC Und, UP, BC, SP 299 SD70M-2 389 Dmy 169 2R 399 Dummy for above 195 NS, CN B 105 ABA 340 ACL, B&O, Burl, C&O, NYC, UP, 2-8-0 TMCC & Railsounds 385 Prr Tuscan, Sou, MR, Tex Spec NYC, Rdg, B&O, WM FM Trainmaster 149 CP, JC, MR, NYC, Rdg, SP, Wabash, N&W NYC Dreyfuss 4-6-4 1175 NW-2 149 B&O, Con, LV, NYC, PRR, UP, MR, GN, Monon, JC Scullin Disc Drivers 1938 & ‘40 2-8-2 TMCC, RS, Odys 715 20th Century Ltd 1938 4-pk 585 U33C Power 142 CSX, D&H, MR SF, SP, UP, NH, PRR, Reading, WP WP, UP, MR, ATSF 3 different passenger sets 1125 MTH 1695 2008 Dealer Appreciation NSL Silverliner 3-Unit 1049 08A SF 2-10-0 Decapod Steam 889 08B KCS F-9 ABA Sou Belle 615 08C KCS F-9B Southern Belle 145 08D KCS 5-Car 70’ Strmline 335 08E KCS Sleeper/Vista Dome 135 08F KCS Sleeper/Vista Dome 135 08G KCS 70’ Full Vista Dome 68 Just TrainsTM Free Shipping over $200 on most orders Orders (888) 453-9742 Info (302) 453-0465 www.justrains.com 302 One Stall Diesel Shed w/Shop 69 901 Action Machinery 6 x 8 917 Gen Lt & Power Sub Station 25 32 959 Midland Supply 8 x 6 35 960 John’s Cutlery 25 304 3-Stall Roundhouse, 30”D 189 304A Xtra Stall or 304B Extender 45 902 Jaybar Company 6 x 8 27 921 JLC Manufacturing 305 Sandhouse, 16 x 6 6x8 65 45 966 Lehigh Engineering 6 x 8 903 Skyline Steel 6 x 8 25 950 American Flag Co. 14 x 9 306 2-Stall Diesel Shed 25 x 11 306A Extender 12.5 x 11 25 69 69 27 967 Shoe Co. 7 skylts 20 x 9 x 11 69 905 Blackshear Refrig. Transport 307 3-Stall Trolley Barn 23 x 11 59 95 953 Joe’s Pickle Factory 14 x 9 69 968 Freight Terminal 8 x 15 308 Quincy Mining Co. 47 908 Shanahan Freight 20 x 8 x 9H 75 954 Buck Island Canning 8 x 12 310 Mitchell Textile Co. 49 969 Gen Lt & Pwr Office 6x13x12 65 39 911 Perfect Tool Co. 8 x 16 55 955 RJK Tool & Die 9 x 14 3115 Grain Silo, 7 x 34 x 22 H 135 912 Roller Bearing Co. 9 x 28 65 P56 Cut Stone 957 Lewis & Sons Machine Shop 915 Quaker Foods 9 x 12 P81 Random Stone 10 89 P83 Concrete 10 315 Grain Silo, 7 x 19 x 22 H 49 13 25 D929 Roof Top Water Tank D30 12 49 85 P57 Double 956 James Company 13 x 8 x 9H 55 New Modular System Kit 74.95 Unlimited configurations 24 walls 320 3-Stall Roundhouse 26” Deep 159 916 General Light & Power 48”L 175 958 Mill Works 11 x 7 w/Tower 49 Just Trains (888) 453-9742 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. WANTED: Small N&W custom-built or scratchbuilt steam, 4-8-0, 2-8-0, 4-6-0. Also looking for N&W brass parts, e.g., pilot, cylinders, domes, tenders, etc. Contact Joe Giannovario, [email protected] or call 610-363-7117. FREE O SCALE LIST: List of O Scale shows for 2009. Send LSSAE to Bob Retallack, Dept OST09, 2224 Adner Ct, Columbus, OH 43220. WANTED: Ambroid special run 50’ Milw. boxcars, Hallmark comp gons, Sunset WWII emergency boxcars, PRB WWII comp gons, Lobaugh 50’ reefers, WWII era boxcars what have you? Mail only. Jim Seacrest, PO Box 6397, Lincoln, NE 68506-0397 FOR SALE: AFFORDABLE ORIGINAL railroad oil paintings and prints by artist Christopher Jenkins. Steam, Diesel and electric. Join mailing list for new painting announcements by emailing Alton45@ comcast.net, www.trainsshipsplanes.com WANTED: Plans and complete instructions for all sections of an original All Nation Pacific 4-62. Contact Bernard at 609-645-8470, or email [[email protected]]. WANTED: CN, CV, GT, GTW, DW&P steam/diesel Events March 2009 20-22, Arlington Hts, IL Chicago O Scale meet at the Sheraton Chicago Northwest Hotel in Arlington Heights, IL, (847) 394-2000. Room rates are $89 per night if reserved under the Chicago O Scale Meet. Admission is $20 for one or both days. Tables are $55 each until 1/31/09. After that date tables are $60 each. For more information go to [www.marchmeet.net] or call Judy, (888) 627-8093. 27-28, Greensburg, PA Railroad Prototype Modelers’ Seminar - East, sponsored by Division 2, MCR - NMRA. The meet runs from 1:00 pm Friday, March 27 through 11:00 pm Saturday March 28, at the Sheraton Four Points Hotel Route 30 East, Greensburg, PA, Ph:724-836-6060, [www. greensburgpa4points.com]. Registration fee is $35. Room rate $95 plus tax (mention Prototype Modelers’ meet) Saturday evening buffet $25, (reservation suggested). For more info contact: Dick Flock, 337 Elm Drive, Greensburg, PA 15601, 724-850-8882 or Email: [[email protected]]. April 2009 5: Hudson, MA New England O Scale Train Show 10 AM to 4 PM. Featuring dealers, displays, 2 Rail and 3 Rail SCALE trains, white elephant table, ample free parking, food and beverages. $5 Adults, $1 Children 5-12, $8 Family Maximum. Exit 25 on I-495 heading east on the route 85 connector, left onto route 85 north, left on Brigham and right on Park Street. Contact Larry Grant 508-337-6661 Eve., or [email protected] 18: Strasburg, PA. O Scale Train Show at the Strasburg, Pa. Fire Co.#1, 203 W.Franklin St. Strasburg PA 17579. Show Time: 9 AM to 1 PM. 60 • O Scale Trains - Mar/Apr ’09 era freight, passenger, MoW and caboose (vans). What have you? Mail only. Jim Seacrest, PO Box 6397, Lincoln, NE 68506. FOR SALE: Brass and die-cast parts for All Nation/ Babbitt steam locomotives, frames, drivers, rods, valve gear, boilers, cabs, tenders, and details. Also restoration and repairs available. Some complete kits available on a limited basis. Some older kits and built up kits also available on a limited basis. Write and include $1 for a catalog. Babbitt Railway Supply Co., 715 Barger St, Mayfield KY 42066. Call 270-247-0303 between 8 am and 8 pm CST, or email [boyceyates@ bellsouth.net]. WANTED: The O-Scale 2 Rail Club is a modular train club looking for members or those to follow this standard and start a club. We are using a portable 2’ x 4’ foot table format. Follow the modular standards for placement of the two track mainline, wiring, and table height. Visit the web site at: www.oscale-2rail-club. com Request a free PDF of the O-scale 2 rail club standards guide from: [email protected] FOR SALE: New Sunset 2-Rail UP Big Boy, $1800; UP 4-12-2, $1800; B&O EM1, 2-8-8-4, $1800; 2 Santa Fe 2-10-4, $1300 each. Email: woodsbymarius@msn. Dealer setup Friday night, 6 - 8:30 PM and Saturday,7 AM to 9 AM. Admission: $5 (wives, children, and active military w/ID free). Dealer Tables: $20 each. Sponsored by ScaleTwoRail Promotions, John Dunn (609432-2871) and Rich Yoder (610-678-2834), [www.scaletworail.com]. This is a smoke free property! Contact [email protected] 25: Columbus, IN Second Annual Hoosier On30 mini-meet from 10 AM to 4 PM at the Columbus Area Railroad Club in Johnson County Park. For more info contact Al Askerberg at [aiberg@ comcast.net]. May 2009 2: Merchantville,NJ Cherry Valley Spring Swap Meet/Open House-Saturday 05/02/2009. Grace Episcopal Church,7 East Maple Ave Merchantville NJ. Admission:$5.00 (Spouse. children free), Tables:$20.00(First Table includes admission,$15.00 each additional table. Contact: John P.Dunn Sr.609-4322871 Contact [email protected] June 2009 18-20: Towson, MD 2009 O Scale National Convention to be held on the campus of Towson University just north of Baltimore, Maryland. Event sponsored by Baltimore O Scalers and the Baltimore Society of Model Engineers. In addition to very comfortable trading halls (about 400 tables), convention features clinics, layout tours (June 17 through June 21), model contests and Friday (June 19th) banquet. Early set-up for dealers on June 17. Visits to B&O Transportation Museum, Baltimore Streetcar Museum and much more. Check [www.oscaleeast.com] often. More information available by email: [info@ oscaleeast.com] com, or call 505-898-6965. Marius Vallecorsa, 4704 Sandpoint Rd NW, Albuquerque, NM 87114-4533 YOUR DREAM LAYOUT can be yours just days from now! Master the art and science of model trains whether you’ve been railroading for years or if you’re just a beginner. Learn how to get started, build your own scenery and choose the right equipment. Get expert tips on maintenance and solutions to problems. Go to [www,ModelTrainMasters.com] for more info. WANTED TO BUY: Past O Scale Trains Magazines, issues #1 through #11, #13, #14,#16,#28,and #29.Will pay shipping. Please call Herman Kline Jr at 302-3977378, 311 S Ingram Ct, Middletown DE, 19709. FOR SALE: Sunset N&W Y3a, $1200; Pecos River GN 4-8-2, $825; Sunset NYC S-1b $950; Atlas Sou MP15, $350; Weaver GP-38 N/P $200; Atlas NYC GP-35 $280; Overland NYC F3B $550, PSC NYC 4-6-0, $990, Weaver VO1000 DCC $300, PFM GN 4-6-0 $1400. Large List. Call 423-772-4401, Norm Reaume, 129 Hamby Rd, Roan Mt, TN 37687-0004 WANTED: Weaver CN Express Car #U21406 and CN Express boxcar #EBC61. Contact: [john.n.smith@ btinternet.com]. August 2009 8: Strasburg, PA O Scale Train Show at the Strasburg, Pa. Fire Co.#1, 203 W.Franklin St. Strasburg PA 17579. Show Time: 9 AM to 1 PM. Dealer setup Friday night, 6 - 8:30 PM and Saturday,7 AM to 9 AM. Admission: $5 (wives, children, and active military w/ID free). Dealer Tables: $20 each. Sponsored by ScaleTwoRail Promotions, John Dunn (609432-2871) and Rich Yoder (610-678-2834), [www.scaletworail.com]. This is a smoke free property! Contact jdunn888@hotmail. com September 2009 12: Merchantville NJ Cherry Valley Fall Swap Meet/Open House, 7 East Maple Avenue,Merchantville NJ. 9am12 Noon. Admission:$5.00 (spouse/children free). Tables:$20.00 (first table includes admission), $15.00 each additional table. Contact: John P. Dunn Sr., 609-432-2871. Contact [email protected] October 2009 3: Gardner, Massachussets Southern New England Model RR O Scale Train Show, 9:30 AM to 4 PM. Admission: $5 Adults, $8 Family maximum. Dealers, displays, 2-and 3-Rail O Scale trains, Southern New England O scale layout, white elephant table, ample free parking, food and beverages. Contact Larry Grant 508-3376661 Evenings or BigBrotherLar@netzero. 10: Strasburg, PA O Scale Train Show at the Strasburg, Pa. Fire Co.#1, 203 W.Franklin St. Strasburg PA 17579. Show Time: 9 AM to 1 PM. See Previous listings for details 55 Gorilla Glue 45 Rails Unlimited 24 AAA Turntables 25 Hackworth Model Trains 46 RGSRR Hobbies 25 Allegheny Scale Models 29 Irish Tracklayer 37 Ross Custom Switches 35 Arttista 38 JD’s Trains 13 Scenic Express 18 Atlas O IFC Just Trains 57,58,59 SceniKing/BPH Ent. 38 Bachmann 19 Keil-Line 24 SMARTT 56 Backdrop Warehouse 38 Key Model Imports 14 SMR Trains 34 Baldwin Forge & Machine 24 LaBelle Woodworking Co. 28 Stevenson Preservation Lines 24 Banta Modelworks 45 Micro-Mark 45 Sumpter Valley Depot 28 Brummy’s Ballast 45 Model Building Services 27 Suncoast Models 24 BTS 16 Model Tech Studios 37 Sunset⁄3rd Rail BC Caboose Hobbies 25 MTH Electric Trains IBC Twin Whistle Sign & Kit 56 Chicago March Meet 25 Mullett River 56 Underground Railway Press45 Custom Signals 14 NCE Corp 46 Valley Model Trains 28 Deichman’s Depot 37 O Scale Realty 56 Wasatch Model Co. 34 DM&M Railroad Co. 25 O Scale Trains 14 Weaver 27 East Gary Car Co. 45 Old Pullman 34 Williams by Bachman 20 Get Real Productions 61 P&D Hobby Shop 14 Public Delivery Track 28 Golden Gate Depot 8 Advertisers Index 2009 Convention Mar/Apr ’09 - O Scale Trains • 61 Joe Giannovario 7 Going On 8 Welcome to the seventh anniversary edition of O Scale Trains Magazine! It doesn’t seem like it was all that long ago that I decided to publish an all O Scale magazine. I guess the aphorism is true: Time flies when you’re having fun. Many things have changed since Issue #1 and all of them for the betterment of the magazine. The biggest change is our subscription base which, even in these difficult times, continues to grow steadily every issue. While I hear most other magazines bemoaning declining subscriptions and ad revenue, we seem to be bucking that trend. My guess is that we fill a need that isn’t filled by other publications. I believe that need is the “how-to” construction article, whether it be rolling stock, buildings, scenery, or whatever. You just don’t see those kinds of articles much in the other model railroad magazines, and certainly not O Scale oriented. For me, the “heyday” of model railroading was the 1950s through the 1960s when virtually every article in the model press was how to build something. I recall a particularly useful article by Linn Westcott in HO Monthly (later subsumed into Model Railroader) where he described in detail how to add brass details to an HO Scale diecast locomotive. I still use those techniques today. O Scale has always been, and continues to be, the scale for the model craftsman. I’m guessing it’s pretty tough, if not impossible, to make working brake gear in N Scale. But, if you’re in N Scale then detail isn’t what you’re after, it’s operations. O Scale is where you can make those fine details like brake gear, chassis equalization, valve gear, and uncoupling brake hoses actually work. I’m not saying it can’t be done in other scales, just that it’s a lot easier in O Scale. 2009 Preview Financially, times are tough. Many people are having trouble paying bills. The only bright spot is gas at less than $1.80 a gallon. If you are an O Scaler what do you do? How do you continue to enjoy this hobby without gobs of money to spend? Well, allow us to help you out in that regard. As I said earlier, OST seems to fill the “how-to” need and here’s a sampling of what you can expect from us in 2009. Starting with this issue there is the reworking of those great M.T.H. wooden coaches (Ed Bommer), and scratchbashing a 44 tonner (Tom Houle) and a small caboose (Bill Davis). Next issue I will start a short series on detailing diecast locomotives. We’ll show you how to realistically weather a Diesel (Don Smith) and how to scratchbuild a Virginian Battleship gondola in styrene (Conley Wallace). 62 • O Scale Trains - Mar/Apr ’09 After that we’ll show you how to build your own rivet embossing tool (John Gizzi), a lighted switch stand (Charlie Morrill), a small retail coal trestle (Ed Bommer) and a pair of cabooses (cabeese, cabice?) in styrene (Tom Houle). There’s more, of course, including some great layouts, but I don’t want to give it all away. You should be surprised a little at each issue. We’ll keep doing what we’ve been doing these past seven years, bringing you the best articles and photos of O Scale craftsmanship. Your job is to keep sending in those great articles and photos. Together, we’ll get through these difficult times and enjoy our hobby. Technology Rules There is just no getting away from the fact that our trains are now marvels of modern technology, whether you like it or not. I know there are some O Scalers out there who still use DC Cab Control but Digital Command Control (DCC) is here to stay and making more converts everyday. In fact, DCC is the main player in every other scale but O where we have 3 competing systems (DCC, TMCC, and DCS) all of which will work on both 2 and 3 rails. However, even M.T.H. recognizes that DCC is the hurdle to cross and rather than try to get people to give up DCC for DCS, they’re making DCS compatible with DCC controllers. Here’s a quote from M.T.H.’s Andy Edelman, VP of Marketing, “... [We] here at M.T.H. recognize that some of you out there like DCC and don’t wish to purchase a new control system. Our goal is to give you what you want and we’re committed to including DCC in the new package next year [2009].” The other cool new technology we can look forward to will also be coming from M.T.H., a scale, operating electro-coupler. They’re going to debut this device in HO Scale first. What makes this possible is SMA, shape-memory alloy, specifically two-way SMA, sometimes called “muscle wire.” When heated this wire can contract, rather than expand, and in doing so can exert enough force to open the coupler knuckle. Way cool! Now, whether or not this will be operable from DCC is still to be determined and how long it will be before we see it in O Scale is a second unanswered question. Finally, we also don’t know if the scale electro-coupler will be sold separately. We will keep you posted on these developments. In the meantime, I am still waiting for the first brass importer to produce a DCC-ready model or maybe even one with DCC and factory installed sound. Come on guys! The 3-Railers get sound in their brass so what about us 2Railers? Maybe 2009 will be the year for this to happen. Keep Highballin’ u O Scale Trains mth 1-2009.qxp 11/4/2008 1:23 PM Page 1 The Orient Express' CHAPELON PACIFIC 20-3344-1 First In A Series Of European Locomotives •1/43.5 Scale Die-Cast Steamer •Equipped With Proto-Sound® 2.0 Digital Sound •Variable Intensity Synchronized Puffing Smoke •Locomotive Speed Control In Scale MPH Increments •Featuring European & U.S. Couplers •Operates On O-54 Curves O Gauge Chapelon Pacific SNCF Green 20-3344-1 Hi-Rail Wheels 20-3344-3 Scale Wheels O Gauge Chapelon Pacific SNCF Black & O Gauge Chapelon Pacific Nord Brown (The Fleche D'Or) are also available. SEE IT IN ACTION ON THE WEB See It In Action On The Web www.mthtrains.com/europe ©2009 M.T.H.Electric Trains 7020 Columbia Gateway Drive, Columbia, MD 21046 NEW YORK CENTRAL J-3A SUPER HUDSON CALL Y! 7 TODA 2 7 1 6 -86 PSC O Scale Model Shown 408 SCULLIN DISC DRIVERS NYC J-3A Hudsons represent the pinnacle of Steam on the NYC. These magnificent machines were outfitted with the latest technology and ran until the end of steam. We are making the J-3A with all the improvements they had, Scullin Disc Drivers, Timken Roller Bearing Rods, Selkirk Front End and Huge Centipede Tender. There will be several engine numbers as NYC had 3 engines decked out as “SUPER” HUDSONS like this. Coming Mid 2009. The GGD NYC Twentieth Century Cars(1940) AMERICA’S MOST FAMOUS LUXURY TRAIN were pulled by the J-3A. Coming Summer 2009. Only 90 2 Rail and 90 3 Rail Models have been produced. Reserve yours TODAY!! SUNSET MODELS INC. TM 37 South Fourth Street · Campbell, CA · 95008 · 408-866-1727 · fax 408-866-5674 · www.3rdrail.com
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