55n3 Reboot - Proof of Concept

hminky Jul 10, 2018

  1. hminky

    hminky TrainBoard Member

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  2. hminky

    hminky TrainBoard Member

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    Wanting to retain my PcalRwy passenger car lettering that I had done earlier in On30.
    [​IMG]

    Searching references the Bachmann passenger cars are 10'-3" high in the body, most narrow gauge cars are about 9'-3". Standard gauge cars match the 10'-3" height of the Bachmann cars.

    [​IMG]

    Works for me.

    The Bachmann passenger car's interior is actually Scale55. These Scale55 figures fit the seating. O scale figures are too big.

    [​IMG]

    Harold
     
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  3. hminky

    hminky TrainBoard Member

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    Referring to my previous post about the Bachmann passenger cars being 10'-3" in Scale55 brings up a question.

    Were there any 10'-3" narrow gauge cars?

    Going south of the border the answer is yes. The Mexican narrow gauge lines had tall narrow gauge cars in both wood and steel.

    [​IMG]

    The Bachmann cars work as issued.

    Harold
     
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  4. traingeekboy

    traingeekboy TrainBoard Member

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    No intent to hijack, but merely add to this concept for a scale.

    As I said before I am giving it a shot. It's kind of a tiny test project to see if I can build my own loco. I tend to work slowly on things, yet today I added the cab pieces. I took the photos and realized the cbab was slightly crooked, so had to take it apart and re-glue it. Hmmm... perhaps more photos to show my flaws as I work are needed. ;)

    [​IMG] [​IMG] [​IMG]

    I expect I will be doing a lot of filing and filling before I am even to the point of painting. Yet, I am finding this side project quite fun.
     
  5. JimJ

    JimJ Staff Member

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    I find that things look perfect until you photograph it and look at it. My iPhone camera is one of my most useful tools for scratch building.
     
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  6. traingeekboy

    traingeekboy TrainBoard Member

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    My biggest problem is that in my mind it WILL be perfect. I plan and plan -- ARGH POOR EXECUTION! :D

    I just keep plugging away and making my second rate models. LOL
     
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  7. hminky

    hminky TrainBoard Member

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    Haven't been here in a while. Found this in one of my wanderings looking for something else.

    HO locomotives translate to small loggers and plantation locos in 55n3 better than any other scale. Always knew there was a loco that would match the HO Bachmann Alco 2-6-0. A good match for the Godchaux #4 2-6-0 sugar plantation loco.

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    "I see narrow gauge"
    Harold
     
    Last edited: Oct 26, 2018
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  8. traingeekboy

    traingeekboy TrainBoard Member

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    Ok, So is there a complete list of figures with sources.

    i.e. image of figure and link to where it can be bought?

    There is this: http://www.55n3.info/people/

    Is there a more updated list?
     
    Last edited: Nov 15, 2018
  9. hminky

    hminky TrainBoard Member

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    Google the titles. There is no list.

    Don't usually put links because they go dead.

    Harold
     
    Last edited: Nov 15, 2018
  10. hminky

    hminky TrainBoard Member

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    While out rubber gauging I remembered this conversion of the Bachmann HO 2-8-0.

    This was a conversion that showed up in the early days of On30. The mogul body can be adapted to the HO Bachmann Consy or the Mogul cab and domes can be used on the HO boiler to make a 55n3 SP style consy. The drivers never scaled well for Scale48.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    Harold
     
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  11. traingeekboy

    traingeekboy TrainBoard Member

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  12. hminky

    hminky TrainBoard Member

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    I already referenced Shapeways as a general reference on the website.

    [​IMG]

    http://www.55n3.info/people/

    [​IMG]

    Generally don't reference specific vendors because the links can go dead on the obscure ones and if you have an interest in 55n3 finding things on your own is essential.

    Off the wall scales aren't for everyone.

    Harold
     
    Last edited: Mar 14, 2019
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  13. warnerj01

    warnerj01 TrainBoard Supporter

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    I like the idea of scale55. I think the scale 55 concept is a really interesting idea. Keep it up. I have a friend who is thinking about switching from HO to On3 or On30. I'm going to send him links to scale55. I think it is right up his alley.
     
  14. traingeekboy

    traingeekboy TrainBoard Member

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    If you are up to scratch building a smaller fleet and building kit bashed locos, it is cheaper than those other scales.

    Also might tell him about 1/35th scale for 2 foot gauge trains. Lots of cars, trucks, people in 1/35 via military model companies, and the On30 stuff being chunkier looks good adapted to that scale.
     
  15. traingeekboy

    traingeekboy TrainBoard Member

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    As a example, my unfinished loco. It is just a cheapo HO model with some minor adaptation. Here you can see it with actual 55n3 figures.

    [​IMG]
     
  16. man7sell

    man7sell TrainBoard Member

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    OK this is really interesting. I bought many of the figures from Knuckbusters as I thought I could get away with them in town and they are really nice... I am using some track that is HO especially on some bridges. Now I can research what is needed to be 55n3 instead of ON30. I printed out the scale (last page I think) and it is so close to On30 as my eyes can see. Not being a rivet counter I'm good with this. Of course the other forums I'm on don't list 55n3. Like it.
     
  17. traingeekboy

    traingeekboy TrainBoard Member

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    28 mm comes out a bit small. The brits have been doing ho gauge narrow gauge and they call it 5.5 mm scale, thus 1 foot = 5.5 mm. A 6 foot tall guys is 33mm tall. At 28mm a figure ends up being less than 5 feet tall.

    Some may be ok with that. I am not.
     
  18. HOexplorer

    HOexplorer TrainBoard Supporter

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    Ha, Rich man's toys. Good luck.
     
  19. hminky

    hminky TrainBoard Member

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    The 28mm is to the figures eyes generally in military figures, easier to establish height when everyone is wearing hats. Making the figures usually 5-8 high or so.

    Most of the Shapeway figures are the right size.

    Harold
     
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