I'm new here, and I model S Scale with a small shelf type switching layout - it's in the building process right now. NYC circa 1963 with all ALCO power by American Models and one brass S-4 switcher. Since it's a switching layout, am using Kadee 802 couplers. I'm running a mix of Shinohara and Tomalco track and turnouts, preferring the Tomalco products. In the process of converting the engines to DCC w/sound - some QSI and some Soundtraxx, I'm liking the QSI's better as they have different sounds for the 539 and 244 engines. Also have a small collection of 1/64 diecast trucks for support of the railroad, but they are all models of a much newer era. Would like to communicate with others modeling in S Scale...
I don't model in S scale, although I did have many years of AF tinplate in my youth. I do enjoy seeing S scale layouts. Surprising to me, there was even a scale modular layout at a recent swap meet I'd attended. Boxcab E50
Welcome Jim, Nice to see another S scale modeler here. NYC huh? Neat. Have you had a chance to make it out to the Palo Alto area? Ed Loizeaux's NYC layout is a sight to behold. What brand of turnouts are you using? Greg Elems Reno, NV
Thanks, Greg! I've only seen pictures of Ed L's great layout, and I sure enjoyed his 1/64 S Scale magazine while he was publishing it. Modeling NYC because it was nearby where I grew up in New England, and engines were offered as decorated in NYC thru American Models. I've been collecting S scale rolling stock for 25 years! Started out using Shinohara turnouts, but found out the weren't so DCC friendly and didn't have any specialty sized turnouts other than #6's, so switched over to Tomalco turnouts. I'm making the change to DCC mainly for the sound offered - found that QSI offers sound boards for the three different ALCO engines.
Jim, In reading the other posts, I don't recall you mentioning your layout size. I have an NYC GP9 that I aquired to kit bash. I'd hate to ruin a nice shell if you are interested in trading for it. Also do you decal? I'm going to need a set of decals for an Alco engine project and don't know what is available for NYC in S. Shinohara makes #8 turnouts and I've heard they are better than their #6's. I wouldn't know since I've never used one. We have a pair of #6's which need quite a bit of tune up to work under any system let alone DCC. So I bit the bullet and bought a turnout jig for a #5. Since I'm making a switching layout and will use GP's and SW's the #5 was more than adequate. What are you using for speakers with your QSI? Greg
Greg, The layout is 11 ft x 9 ft x 11 ft, mostly a 2-2.5 ft shelf around 3 sides of a room, based loosely on the NYC (ex- Boston and Albany) Webster Mass. branch. The leg going down the wall that is 'behind' you as you operate the layout is for a 3 train stage yard, so that trains can enter and exit the layout area. I'm working on incorporating my Maine 2 ft. narrow gauge equipment into the layout as a Tourist RR. In S Scale, 2 ft narrow gauge runs on HOn3 track. (although the tie size is not in proportion) The main yard/station/shops area will be in front of the stage yard. Decals for NYC are hit or miss - try Des Plains Hobbies, Champ, CDS dry transfers, or Hoquat Hobbies. Thanks anyway, but I'm not interested in the GP-9 - I run an all ALCO RR What are you going to kitbash? a low short hood GP-9? Yes, the Shinohara's require a LOT of work to perform satisfactory. Tomalco offers several different size radius curved turnouts, and several different sized diamonds, and 3 way turnouts - all come in handy for packing more track into a switching layout. The speaker is a QSI 'bass' type about 1 inch round. I want to fit 2 of them into an American Models RS-3, but the enclosure for the speaker makes them too large to fit inside the hood. The FA's will be no problem installing them into.
It's still a work in progress, track is down and running, some basic buildings set up, but basically it's still a plywood central layout. I'll get some pics up later on...
Hey, neat handle. How did you come up with the handle "Roadranger". I'm a truck mechanic and when I think of the name Road Ranger, I think of those old bullet proof 10 speed truck transmission back from the day. I seen American Models S scale trains at a all scales train show and was very impressed by thier quality. I don't much about S scale however other than remembering it back from my Lionel Days as I remembered the American Flyer stuff.
I drive a tractor-trailer, my 42nd year, now. Back in the day when CB's first came out, my handle was "roadranger", for the transmission - a 13 speed. Been carrying that handle over to modern day computer forums. S scale is great in my book because it has more 'heft' and is just as detailed as HO stuff, and MUCH easier to see and work with! Right now the S layout has taken a back seat to 1/14 size Radio Control model trucks, mostly made by Tamiya. These hobbies can be addicting!
And they also help keep your wallet empty! I'm trying to remember the Roadranger (Haven't driven semi in a million years! Gave up my CDL back about 1990.) - Wasn't it made by a firm named Fuller or some such?. Had two splitter buttons, one on the side and one on the knob? Boxcab E50