G scale the other white meat.

N-builder Dec 25, 2013

  1. N-builder

    N-builder TrainBoard Member

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    I'm an N scaler and have been modeling N scale for five years now. But every year around christmas for the past four years I get the itch to get a few G scale things. So far I have two steam locomotives B-man 2-4-2 U.P. and a Hartland Locomotive works 0-4-0 loco and a 0-4-0 LGB diesel switcher (I just purchased the Diesel this christmas) I will post pics when I get my diesel of all my locos and some rolling stock. What got me interested was I went to my LHS and I saw a very nice Lionel G scale Christmas trains set that just had to purchase. I set it up around our tree every year now, also my son is six years old and really like trains I will get him his own locomotive a B-mann lil big haulers 0-4-0 steam locomotive in blue (his favorite color). I have also accumulated some rolling stock from B-mann and LGB, Aristo craft (gondolas, tank cars, cabooses and some coaches). So I was very surprised when I started to search some things form Aristo Craft and learned that they are no longer in business. I also have acquired some brass track from LGB, Piko and Aristo craft. I got a great deal on the Piko track at seven bucks a piece at my LHS for curved or straight one footers. We also purchased a larger home with a bigger backyard and I'm hoping that I can start a layout in my backyard one day. I still have a little ways to go since this scale is not cheap but I'm determined to have a layout sooner or later.
     
  2. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    I wonder what it costs to fill a back yard, versus N in the basement...?
     
  3. Kenneth L. Anthony

    Kenneth L. Anthony TrainBoard Member

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    I model in N scale mostly but I have had fun building occasional G scale or otherwise large scale models, usually as gifts.
    Some years back, a cousin lived at Sugarland, Texas and had a youngster with a Bachmann Big Hauler G set. Sugarland was a sugar cane growing locale in the 1920s with its own railroad. I bought a Bachmann flatcar and kitbash-freelanced it into a Sugarland cane gondola.
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    I had a friend who lived on Laguna Shores Road in Corpus Christi with a G gauge layout. I scratchbuilt a 1/2” G scale model based on drawings of the Oil Junction, California depot, one of the smallest buildings called a depot on Santa Fe lines. (Preserved at Orange Empire Museum, Perris, California; drawings in Santa Fe Modeler, JulAug1980 p.18 and reprinted Santa Fe Modeler, SepOct1986 p.15)
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    I also scratchbuilt two N scale models of this same tiny depot. One went to an N scale friend, another became “Blimport” depot at the security gate of my Navy blimp base railroad.
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    Still another project, not G scale but DOLLHOUSE scale, 1/12. The same cousin that once lived in Sugarland moved to a house that had belonged to her grandmother. I thought a house with that background should be memorialized as a family heritage for future generations of my cousin’s daughter (then 10 years old) and future grandchildren. I secretly photographed the house, drew plans and surprised mother and daughter one Christmas with a dollhouse of their own house.
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    Actually, I just modeled the front 12 feet of the house. I can’t presume to commit more of someone’s space than that without permission. Twelve years later, my cousin has moved to a newer house but kept the dollhouse for a memory of the family past and an heirloom for the future.
     
  4. N-builder

    N-builder TrainBoard Member

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    It depends how big the back yard is but I'm sure its a lot more money. Since in G scale the track is the one thing that can run up the tab well not just track but that's what you need the most of. Let's just put it this way for all the stuff I spend this Christmas I spent six hundred dollars and that's just for twelve curved track, twelve straight track, four turnouts, a gondola, Gramps tank car, a 0-4-0 Diesel loco and an LGB Dodge City & Great Western coach. With this money I could buy so much N scale.
     
  5. N-builder

    N-builder TrainBoard Member

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    Very nice stuff Kenneth L. Anthony.
     
  6. ScaleCraft

    ScaleCraft TrainBoard Member

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    For more permanent outdoor pikes I use flex aluminium track. Better code and appearance, FAR cheaper then brass or especially stainless...never have flange eating issues....
    Mine has been on the ground over 20 years. No issues to recall....
     
  7. N-builder

    N-builder TrainBoard Member

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    Well I spent a lot of money on G scale over the holidays that I should have put in the bank towards my new car savings. I guess my car will have to do for a few more years. So far I got some Euro rolling stock and an 0-4-0 diesel switcher this seems to be my sons favorite loco and freight cars to run because they are smaller. I managed to get more american rolling stock: gondolas, flat cars, boxcars, stock cars and a tanker. I'm trying to stay in the early 1900's with what I'm gonna run so all the rolling stock and locos I got so far are very close to the period. I have a 2-4-2, 0-4-0 and a 2-6-0 mogul. The 2-4-2 is probably the earliest loco I have cause it has wood not coal in its tender. I also got more track but so far it only fills our family room so I'm planning on getting a lot more track when spring comes so I can move all this outdoors.
     
  8. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    Trains are much more fun! It will be interesting to see what you do when the warmer months return.
     
  9. N-builder

    N-builder TrainBoard Member

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    I have to figure out where I'm gonna set up the tracks. I have a small shed right in the back of our yard that has a lot of bushes next to it. These bushes where already there when we moved into the house and its a large area and I'm probably gonna get rid of these since some are dead anyway and been wanting to clean this area up anyway and build there.
     
  10. N-builder

    N-builder TrainBoard Member

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    I just can't believe my luck I just got a PIKO 2-6-0 Rio Grande Mogul for just two hundred dollars brand new sealed in box form ebay. These go for at least three fifty ,y LHS sells it for four hundred. I think this was an LGB that PIKO took over its a very nice loco very heavy it has smoke LED lighting.
     

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