Hey, guys, I keep mulling over what I'd like to do with my next personal project layout. I'm bouncing between On3, On30 and On2 and what kind of motive power I want on the layout. My current way of thinking is to build a narrow-gauge version of an iron ore road, not unlike the Duluth, Messabe & Iron Range or Lake Superior & ishpeming. And, since I'm a bit of a "sparky," I'd love to do it as a traction line. I'd love to have some "heavy" electric boxcab electrics, not unlike those used on the MILW, hauling the ore cars around the layout. The thing is, however, that I have limited real-estate in this endeavour, and would only be able to build a small switching layout (although, this section could later be incorporated into a larger layout in the future) and I don't know if it would be practical to do it as an electric operation. I basically want to build this layout as a "craftsman" layout to sharpen my modeling skills (handlaid track, scratchbuilt structures, etc.) and would have no problem doing it as a steam or diesel road, but I just think there would be something neat about looking down the track and watching "slim gauge" boxcabs "under wire." What do you guys think?
Narrow gauge, heavy electric, ore hauler... exactly my kind of railroad, but I wouldn't expect to find it in the US. If I may go out on a limb, this sounds like the sort of railroad for which a "mainline" narrow gauge would be used. I suggest On3½ using S gauge track and mechanisms. Some inspiration for equipment: A 1-C-C-1 1940s design http://www.pell.portland.or.us/~efbrazil/fepasa_2000_2.html http://www.pell.portland.or.us/~efbrazil/fepasa_farewell.htmlhttp://www.pell.portland.or.us/~efbrazil/fepasa_farewell.html http://www.pell.portland.or.us/~efbrazil/loba_1969.html A B-B 1960s GE http://www.pell.portland.or.us/~efbrazil/fepasa_trimini.html http://www.pell.portland.or.us/~efbrazil/fepasa_minisaia_3.html 1920s boxcabs in Chile Thomas Shinkfield's railway :: Fotopic.Net
I was going to make a boxcab eloco out of an old Roundhouse diesel... ...then put it on my little EMD40. Greg
Tooter, I'm diggin' the boxcab. Very nice. That EMD40 isn't bad either. I'm thinking of making a steeplecab to use as the local switcher (and maybe one to use as the shop switcher too). Triplex, Ya know, that isn't a bad idea. 3'6" gauge (aka "Cape Gauge" or 1067mm gauge) would be an interesting gauge to model. In fact, that's the "standard gauge" in Japan (the 4'8.5" gauge of the Shinkansen is considered "broad gauge"). Maybe in the future I'll do an On3.5 layout based on some Japanese prototypes (I LOVE the D51 steam locomotives). However, I just like the juxtaposition of "heavy electrics" on a 36,30 or 24" gauge railway. Ya know? Push the limits of the scale/gauge. I want to do something whimisical like that... but not overly radical (as if a two-foot, electric ore hauler wouldn't be radical?). Then again, I'm just mulling ideas around. I could wind up building a regular steam or diesel layout. But, the electric traction angle just really appeals to me...
Of course, the more I think about it, I have one BIG problem. And I do mean BIG... This "problem" has a name, and is known as "Elwood." Elwood is my cat. To be exact, SIXTEEN POUNDS of Tabby, Tomcat Terror. My last two cats haven't really been a problem. In fact, my first cat used to sun herself on my "train table" (a 4x8 sheet of plywood upon which was the foundation of the first layouts). I would run my trains and she would watch them roll around the track with little interest. Conversely, Elwood is much more rambunctious and would punce on my freights and pike-sized passenger consists, resulting in wrecks that would make Gomez Addams proud. While I haven't run any trains in a while (I've actually packed up my HO stuff while I'm working on remodeling the basement), I've seen him "attacking" various other objects around the house, not to mention the fact that he's an excellent hunter and has brought home a wide range of wildlife (birds, squirrels, rabbits... no 10 point buck, yet, however!), which leads me to believe he'd have a field day with my cantenary, which is why I've ben hesitant about doing a traction layout. Just a factor I thought I would introduce into the discussion. Nothing much has been done as of late, except for working on the remodeling projects, cleaning and de-cluttering some of my old junk and other things like that. I don't think I'm really going to start anything resembling construction until fall/winter. I just have too many other projects going on and other various "irons in the fire" for the meantime. I've also recently given some serious thought about going back to school (well, the Seminary, actually), so that may put things on hold for a while longer as well. I haven't decided on that as of yet. But, it's one thing at a time right now. Just thought I'd give you guys an update on where I am on this project. Later, guys!
You have incited the views of the Texas Outlaws' troublemaker..if you want to "push the envelope", how about comsidering building in 1:35 or 1:32 scale using 16.5MM (HO, On30) gauge. In 1:35, it becomes 2 feet, in 1:32 it is 20" gauge. Imagine a nice HO SW diesel loco all "fixed up" into the larger scale...a neat boxcab electric. Then you can handlay track, scratchbuild structures, freight cars...and be able to use easily available (and cheap!) 1:32 scale die cast autos and trucks and military (1:35) figures modified to suit or 1:32 scale Preiser folks or even 1:32 slot car crews. You can build a switching line in the same space as an O scale line would take and then you would get your wish for (1) a 2 footer, (2) scratchbuilt stuff, (3) handlaid track, and (4) great operation from a nice running locomotive. BTW-Bachmann's On30 trucks work great in the larger scale. Just another thing to worry you about. As for the big kitty..a plastic water pistol will cure any incursions on the layout. I know this because my friend Peach Head used to love to get on my layout, but he hates that water pistol more than having a place to "rest". Woodie
There was a Mexican narrow gauge which used boxcabs. They looked to be almost shrunken versions of Milwaukee Road. I don't recall the company name. A coal or copper hauler. Boxcab E50
The Mexican narrow gauge Boxcab speaks of was a 30" narrow gauge ta boot. They also had a few 0-4-0 electric box cabs and used them as yard switchers. They hauled some sort of mineral IIRC. Brazilian narrow gauge is meter gauge and they had some interesting electric engines. Today Brazil runs a wide variety of narrow gauge engines and have dual gauge track with Broad gauge being the widest rail. Brazil also has the DDM45 which was the SD45 riding on meter gauge DD trucks of the UP Centennial fame. Also they are buying standard gauge sized GE's and running them on BB-BB truck configurations. If I were to model narrow gauge, I'd jump all over the Brazilian narrow gauge and do it in S scale. The HO track and mechanisms under S bodies would pull off the look quiet well. The only down side is the HO in S equals 42" gauge. But you said you want to scratch build and hand lay track, meter gauge in S would be 10/16th and narrowing Athearn mechanisms would be fairly simple to do. Greg
I would recommend taking a look into the UP roads. The Quincy and Torch Lake is the most famous. You'll probably find some inspiration. If you desire to use HO mechanisms, I'd highly encourage Sn42. 42" gauge was more common, historically in the US, than 2' and 30" combined. It is easier to scratch build with it due to being S-scale, but avoids the caricature appearance that HO mechanism yield in O scale and provides many inexpensive diesel mechanisms for conversion to Sn42. Michael
Hi Greg, It was a cheap used 40' gondola I got off of ebay. Just chopped it in half and glued it back together... Here's another one... Been doing flat cars, too... And I'm a Greg, too!
Tooter, Dude, those "shorty" gondolas and mini boxcab are awesome! Nice job! :thumbs_up: mogollon, After seeing your work, I am seriously giving thought to 1:35n2. You have definately piqued my interest in the scale. DSP&P fan & Greg Elems, Hmmmmmmmm. Interesting ideas with the various guage/scale combinations. I will seriously give your ideas consideration as well. Much to think about...
Hi Greg (tooter), I have to chime in and add my kudo's to your shortie cars. Thanks for sharing more of your work. Greg
