Oscalemag.Com a Great Garage-Sized Layout by Bob Dupont

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he Norfolk & Western was renowned for its steam power Tefficiency and no locomotive better exem- The FIRST engines offered to plified this than the J Class Northern. Debuting in 1941, the 4-8-4 rolled onto the rails with its beautiful streamlined 2-RAIL Enthusiasts cowling gracing an incredibly powerful and efficient including these incredible features: powerplant. The J Class locomotives were powerful and more • Superior patented synchronized puffing smoke. than capable of tackling the grades of the Blue Ridge • Unique digital sound features including squeaking mountains, yet, they could “run like a rabbit” on the brakes, Doppler, train wreck, clickty-clack flats, easily reaching speeds greater than 100 miles & much more! per hour with 12 to 14 passenger cars in tow. Despite the • Superior patented locomotive speed control that growing rise of dieselization, the J Class locomotives were really works in conventional or command mode. able to remain in service until 1959, longer than any other • Unsurpassed value in conventional or command operation. major railroad's use of steam power. ©2004 M.T.H. Electric Trains Now you can enjoy the return of the J to the M.T.H. Premier Line fully outfitted with the power and performance of Proto-Sound® 2.0. The 2004 model, like all Premier steam engines, is equipped with synchronized puffing smoke, Proto-Speed Control™, for incredible slow speed action and Find your Nearest Dealer the delicious sounds of Passenger Station Proto-Effects™. at www.mthtrains.com Modeling for the O Scale ScaleScale Craftsman Issue #15 TraiTrainsns July/Aug 2004 OOO Vol. 3, No. 4 Features Editor/Publisher Joe Giannovario 4Tall Pine Timber Company [email protected] A great garage-sized layout by Bob Dupont. Art Director 10 Installing Kadee Couplers on a Weaver Wartime Gon Jaini Simon Ron Gribler details the nuts and bolts of this easy conversion. [email protected] 14 The Acme Steel Fabricating Company Associate Editor Build an industrial steel structure from Mike Culham’s plans. Brian Scace [email protected] 27 Scratchbuild a Roundhouse Advertising Manager Charlie Flichman tells how he designed and built a roundhouse to Jeb Kriigel fit his particular needs. [email protected] 31 A Brief Conversation with M.T.H.’s Andy Edelman Contributors With M.T.H. getting back into 2-Rail, OST’s Jeb Kriigel went to Andy to Ted Byrne get the details behind the story. Gene Deimling Bobber Gibbs 34 Yards, Part 2 — A Loop Yard in a Small Space Carey Hinch Herm Botzow continues his series on the design and use of different Hobo D. Hirailer Roger Jenkins types of yards. Jace Kahn 40 Bob’s Carry Box Neville Rossiter Bob O’Neil details how to build a loco/car carrying case designed by Subscription Rates: 6 issues O Scale Hall Of Famer Bob Whelove. US - Standard Mail Delivery US$30 US - First Class Delivery (1 year only) US$40 50 Building Rerailers Canada/Mexico US$50 Overseas US$75 Most often associated with HO and N Scales, Ted Byrne tells how he Visa, MC, AMEX & Discover accepted builds them for O Scale. Call 610-363-7117 during Eastern time business hours Dealers write for terms. Advertisers write for information Departments or visit our website. 12 Traction Action – Roger Jenkins O Scale Trains ISSN 1536-9528 www.oscalemag.com 22 Easements for the Learning Curve – Brian Scace Published bimonthly (6 times a year) by 38 The Workshop - Neville Rossiter O Scale Trains Magazine, PO Box 238, Lionville PA 19353-0238 42 Proto48 – Gene Deimling © 2004 OST All Rights Reserved Printed in the U.S.A. 43 Reader Feedback – Letters to the Editor 46 Product News & Reviews Contributors: O Scale Trains welcomes your feature articles, photos, and drawings. Such material should be sent 52 Narrow Minded – Bobber Gibbs to the above address for possible publication. If we accept, you will be notified immediately. For more information con- 54 Confessions of a HiRailer – Hobo D. Hirailer cerning article preparation guidelines, please send an SASE 55 Modeler’s Shelf, also pgs. 60 and 61 to the above address and request our “Guide For Authors” or visit our website at: www.oscalemag.com. 57 The Good Old Days - Jace Kahn

Cover: Workin’ on the narrow gauge on Bob Dupont’s Tall Pine 58 Buy-Sell-Trade Ads Timber Company. 59 Advertiser Index

Centerspread: “Storm and the Bridge”, photo by K. Jeb Kriigel, 60 Events Listing Get Real Productions. The locomotive model is a Williams scale 62 Observations – Joe Giannovario GS-4 Daylight detailed and lightly weathered. The bottom of the boat's hull was cut off so that it would sit correctly “in” the water. The water was modeled using a glass sheet with several coats of gloss clear coat. The lift bridge is the largest Lionel accessory ever made. It was lightly weathered. OST is a proud Member of the Model Railroad Industry Association July/Aug ’04 - O Scale Trains • 3 Photos by Dick Bettinger Bob Dupont’s S.P. switchers awaiting their shift assignments. The Tall Pine Timber Company layout was started in 1976. At been featured in various railroad publications. Bob has remained that time, it had one loop of O Scale standard gauge track. A year the chief electrical engineer for the Tall Pine Timber Company. later the narrow gauge portion of the layout was started which is a Without his expertise, the railroad would have become a static dis- point-to-point operation. After a period of time, it was decided that play. Dexter Day, who is a conductor on Cal Train and now lives we needed a double-track main line. This was added which gave in Gilroy, California, actually laid out the design for the railroad far more realism to our operation. Originally, the railroad had a which, to this day, remains very much the same. Dexter is a most traction line, actually overhead wire over part of the standard talented overall model railroader who has expertise in scenery, gauge line. However, we only had one individual in the group backdrops, and track work. Bob Plageman is now in the process of who was interested in traction operation. When he moved away, building his own O Scale layout in his garage. Bill Bunch does not the overhead line went into disrepair and sat unused for several have a home layout, so he naturally operates his trains on the other years. It was finally taken out. I was sorry to see it go as it did make for interesting operation. The main concentra- tion has been on the standard gauge. The Tall Pine Timber Company has had many individ- uals who have belonged to the informal group over the years. The “membership” has changed several times as people have left the San Francisco Bay area and others have passed away. The main people, who have been with the railroad from the beginning, are still very active in the operation and the open houses that we hold for the National Model Railroad Association (NMRA), NMRA- Pacific Coast Region, NMRA-Coast Division and O Scale West. It has been a pleasure to operate for these groups as they are always very enthusiastic and enjoy the open houses. The members who are still with the group and have contributed a great deal to its operation and history are Dexter Day, Dick Bettinger, Bob Roach, Bob Plageman, and Bill Bunch. Bob Roach now has his own beautiful Bill Bunch’s Santa Fe 4-8-4 emerging from the snow shed at Union Pacific and Great Northern model railroad that has Stampede Pass on the main line. 4• O Scale Trains - July/Aug ’04 30"

Snow shed Bunch Feed & Grain 124"

Coal dock interchange Tall Pine Timber Company Not to scale Overall size: 17'-0"x19'-0" 41" 38" O On3 O traction

Devil Mountain yard Bay Shore Yard 142"

Hartley Mound Dianes Pass Yard house 72" Roach Gap Station TALL PINE Gilmore Bridge 14"

17'

50"

Warehouse Mount Index

Station Station CRYSTAL BAY 61" 124" Layout graphic © Great Model Railroads 1992, Kalmbach Publishing. Used by permission.

July/Aug ’04 - O Scale Trains • 5 Plageman belong to the West Bay Railroad Club in Menlo Park, California, where Dick is able to operate his HO collection as well as his O Scale collection. The Tall Pine layout is 17' x 19' occupying a two-car garage. The most interesting part of the layout is the fact that there is a lift-out allowing one car to be parked in the middle. Several people have brought their wives back so they can see that they can have a reasonably small O Scale railroad in the garage and still allow the family car to be parked inside the garage. The radius on the standard gauge railroad is 64" for the outer loop and 60" for the inner loop. This allows for

S.P. Berkshire at Cedar Creek depot. Note Santa Fe business car at end of passing freight.

members’ layouts. Bill has an extensive collection of Santa Fe equipment. Bill’s vast collection includes steam and Diesel locomotives. There are very few questions about Santa Fe that he is unable to answer. Dick Bettinger also does not have a home layout and operates his trains on the other members’ layouts. Dick also has a fine collection of Southern Pacific and Rio Grande locomotives. Both he and Bob

the operation of most large steam locomotives. The standard gauge line represents “Class 1” mainline operation, more or less following Southern Pacific prototype.

Bob Plageman’s S.P. consolidation switching in Day Yard.

Bill Bunch’s Santa Fe 4-8-4 zips through Roach Gap en-route to Devil Mountain Tunnel.

The modeling is representative of the 1940’s and l950’s. I especially like maintenance of way equipment and I have lots of it in both standard and narrow gauge. In fact, Whit Towers, past NMRA President and NMRA Bulletin Editor, once commented that the Tall Pine Tim- ber Railroad had more MoW equipment than revenue equipment. This is not really true, but at first appear- ances it may look that way. We built the railroad to have fun and that is exactly

6• O Scale Trains - July/Aug ’04 Devil Mountain on the narrow gauge line.

what we do. If somebody shows up at the layout Bob Plageman’s S.P. Mike about to pass Crystal Bay depot. and has an Eastern Town of Tall Pine in rear. or Midwestern locomotive, they are perfectly welcome to run on the layout as we are not very strict, all that we ask is that they have clean wheels. Southern Pacific, Santa Fe, Union Pacific, Great Northern, and Northern Pacific are always part of A back alley in Tall Pine. the regular operation. This year will it will be my pleasure to be operating the Tall Pine Tim- ber Company Railroad for the Narrow Gauge National Convention Lumber company office and small Bayshore Yard depot. which is being held in the San Francisco Bay area. It is my understanding that this is the first time that this convention has been held in California. The dates for the convention will be September 1 – 4, 2004 and it will be the 24th National Narrow Gauge Convention. ◆

Gas station and general store in town of Tall Pine.

July/Aug ’04 - O Scale Trains • 7 A few more pictures from the Tall Pine Timber Company

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SUNSET MODELS INC. 37 South Fourth Street · Campbell, CA 95008 · 408-866-1727 · fax to 408-866-5674 · www.3rdrail.com INSTALLING KADEE COUPLERS ON A WEAVER WARTIME GONDOLA PHOTOS AND TEXT BY RON GRIBLER

Editor’s Note: Even though Jace Kahn discussed in some detail right movements to keep the top surface of the pads flat. Final adding Kadee couplers to the Weaver Wartime gondola is last height and flatness were achieved using a small file. The final issue’s review (OST#14), we felt that Ron’s pictorial would help height of the clarify the process. mounting pads My PRR Weaver wartime gondola arrived with scale diecast was equal to trucks installed and Kadee couplers in a bag. As received, the car the floor ribs sat about six scale inches too high [Photo 1]. and the top of the draft gear 1 opening in the end sill. Then, the width of the end sill opening was increased by shaving each side with a new X-Acto blade, to 4 accommodate the coupler box [Photo 4]. The Kadee box and cover were used a drilling jig for the holes. The holes were drilled with a #51 drill (0.67") mounted in a pin vise. Since the mount- 1 ing lugs are ⁄32" high and the 9 floor is ⁄32" thick, the holes 1 were drilled only about ⁄8" deep to insure that they would not go through the floor [Photo 5]. 9 The furnished 2-56 x ⁄32" This excess height is due to the cast spacer lug between each screws were installed in the truck and bolster. At each end of the car there are two molded Kadee box and lid with 2-56 1 lugs, or pads, for mounting the couplers. These are about ⁄8" high nuts. The screws were cut off 5 [Photo 2]. flush with the nuts using the If the Kadee cut-off disc. When the nuts were removed, the exposed thread 1 2 couplers were length of the screws was ⁄16". The screw in the center of the box 1 installed on the was about ⁄32" longer, so I was careful not to interchange them. pads, they would [Photo 6] be at the correct The cut locations on the end-sills were touched up with height with the bol- matching paint. The couplers were installed into the boxes. The ster spacer screws were carefully threaded into the drilled holes. installed. However, The trucks were installed (without the spacers, of course) to overall appearance complete the car [Photos 7 & 8]. ◆ of the completed car is compromised by this excess floor height. I removed the truck spacers, reinstalled the trucks and checked the floor height to a Kadee coupler height gage. The height was right-on. The coupler mounting pads had to be cut down. The distance between their holes was correct for the Kadee box, but their loca- 3 1 tion was about ⁄32" too far toward the center of the car. The vertical end of the Kadee box cover would interfere with the end sill using these holes. Also the cutout of the end sill required widening slightly for the coupler box [Photo 3]. The coupler mounting pads were cut down using a cut-off disc in a motor tool. The disc was held vertically with fore-aft and left- 6

10 • O Scale Trains - July/Aug ’04 7

Important notice regarding First Class Mail subscription availability. Many of you have asked us to provide a First Class Mail subscription. Well, your pleas have been heard. Starting with the July issue, we will offer First Class Mail service for $40 a year. We will also upgrade those of you with current subscriptions at $1.65 per issue, but you will have to call the office to find out the exact cost since that will depend on how many issues you have left. So, if you’ve had bad postal service in your area, you may want to upgrade your subscription. DOMINION MODELS 1/43rd Scale Models of American 1942 Hudson 1950 Studebaker 1951 Ford SFPD by Western . . . $129.00 by Brooklin . . . $85.00 by Brooklin . . . $85.00 Call or write for Free Brochure: Cars Dominion Models • Dept. OST, P.O. Box 515 • Salem, VA 24153 phone/fax: 540-375-3750 e-mail: [email protected]

July/Aug ’04 - O Scale Trains • 11 TTrraaccttiioonn Roger Jenkins AAccttiioonn

This month’s picture [below] shows a typical sub-station of the Pacific Electric Railway located on their Los Angeles to Pasadena line on Fair Oaks Avenue in South Pasadena. This building probably held several rotary converters to produce the trolley power of 600 volts DC. The building is located next to the Southern California Edison plant that is still in use. The street in front once carried the P.E.’s track. The building is currently used for storage by the electric company. (Coincidently, behind this building runs the new METRO GOLD LINE light rail which uses the old Santa Fe right of way that runs from Pasadena to Los Angeles.)

The other photo [below right] shows another typical pole line with the 3 wire high tension system used by most trolley operations. This is on the Brownsville Junction to Uniontown line of the West Penn Traction Ry. The dirt road is the former right of way. The West Penn Power Co., the owner of West Penn Traction, used the poles to transmit its own power as well. The plus and minus wires were run in pairs on one side and the ground wire was on the other side of the pole. I checked several photos and there seemed to be no set rule as to where the track was in relation to these wires. Sometimes the paired wires were on the same side as the track, and other times they were on the opposite side from the track. You would have to check the prototype you are modeling to tell what was the most common situation for that line. [[email protected]] ◆

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July/Aug ’04 - O Scale Trains • 13 The Acme Steel Fabricating Company Building an Industrial Structure in Styrene

By Mike Culham

Although there are some fine kits out there, I needed a certain style of building to fit in a particular spot on my layout. The building also had to accommodate two 50-foot rail cars inside. This meant scratchbuilding a structure to fit the area. I looked around the industrial areas in my neighborhood and found tions together (B, E and F). Re-enforce give you the full length of the roof. Now several that used metal siding on a steel the splices with strips of .040" thick glue the roof in place, (you may have to frame; this is the style I decided to go styrene, one inch wide, glued to the trim it to fit). Once it is in place, paint it with, so I measured up the area on my back of the joint. On wall sections A with Polly Scale Grimy Black. layout and started building. and C, cut out the door openings as per Wall Caps and Fascia Now, when I build a structure from the diagrams. Once all the sections are The wall caps are made from .125" scratch there are no plans, it is all done cut and ready to go, glue on the inside angle styrene. Glue these along the top in my head. The measurements are wall bracing using .125" x .250" strips, of the wall as per the diagram. Cut the roughed out on a piece of paper and with the narrow side being glued to the caps with a 45-degree angle at the cor- then transferred to the sheet of styrene, back of the wall (see diagram). Also, put ners. The fascia is made of .125" x .020" which is the medium I like to use. For a frame around the door opening and thick styrene strip. These are glued all my fellow O Scale modelers out leave the bottom open. Once all the along the face of the wall just under the there, however, I have made up some walls are made, I like to paint them at roof cap, as per the diagram and Photo drawings with dimensions that you can this point as it is easier to handle them (I # 3. Once these are in place, you can use. You will notice a difference painted mine with Polly Scale B&M paint them (I used Polly Scale Reefer between the drawings and the photos of Blue). When they are painted, start glu- Grey). my Acme Steel plant. The drawings are ing them together to for a full building while Acme Steel was form the building. Once photo #2 designed and built to go against the this is done, glue .125" backdrop. You can modify the building angle styrene on both to suit your needs and space if you like. the inside and outside Getting started: corners of the building, A bill of materials is on page 15, with as per the drawing and sources. Once you have gathered up Photo #2. the materials, you can start construction Roof of Acme Steel. The roof is made from Walls a 12" x 24" x .060" Lay out the wall material and meas- styrene sheet. Cut out ure off sections 8 inches high. You the roof as per the draw- should get three 8" x 12" pieces from ing. From the leftover each sheet. You’ll need eight of these material, cut out a 6" x sections for the building. On three of 12" piece and splice this the walls you will have to splice sec- to the larger piece to

14 • O Scale Trains - July/Aug ’04 Acme Door Rollers powders. I also painted any of the inside walls that can The door roller housing is made from styrene tube. Make be seen with Grimy Black. the end pieces per the diagram and glue them to the roller The Foundation housings. Next, glue the back plate on, followed by the top With the building all finished, it’s time to put it in place on plate. This housing is painted with Reefer Grey, as well. Once your layout. This means track has to be laid and a foundation painted, it can be glued on to the face of the wall just above has to be made. the doorway, as shown in the diagram and Photo # 4. These types of buildings usually have a concrete floor. You Doors and Tracks can model this by making a wood form in the shape of the The doors are made from .125" scribed .040" styrene sheet. footprint of the building, then pouring a plaster floor. Paint it a Make two doors as per the drawing. Paint these Reefer Grey. concrete color. You can also make it out of styrene like I did. The door tracks are made from .100" styrene channel. You Don’t forget to leave flangeways along the track. With this all will need two pieces, one piece glued on the inside of the done, your new building can be put into place and the door frame on either side, as shown in the drawing. Paint ground covering finished around it. these Grimy Black. The doors are then slid up into the tracks Congratulations. You have now scratchbuilt a building and glued. The door for the rail entrance is made short to rep- (and you thought it was going to be hard!). ◆ resent an open door. This allows rail cars to be spotted in the building. The truck entrance has a full length piece, so the door appears closed. photo #5

photo #3

Bill of Materials Finishing Touches Evergreen Scale Models, The roof vents are made from Rix HO Scale vents, which 18620-F 141st Ave. NE, to me seem too large for HO, but work well for O Scale. Paint Woodinville, WA 98072, these silver, then glue them to the roof (Photo # 5). The build- (425) 402-4918, www.evergreenscalemodels.com ing is now complete, other than signage and weathering. This style of building is used for many types of industries, Styrene: so you can choose the type and name you want to put on it. I Part # 14530, Metal Siding .125 width, and three sheets made the signs for mine on the computer, then glued them to 12 x 24 inches. a piece of .040" thick styrene sheet, which I then glued to the Part # 19060, Plain sheet .060 thick one sheet 12 x 24 building. I weathered my building using washes and chalk inch. Part # 389, .125 x .250 strips 24 inch long, two photo #4 packages. Part # 126, .020 x .125 strip 12 inch long, three packages. Part # 236, Tube .500, 12 inch long, and one package. Part # 263, Channel .100 wide, 12 inch long, one package. Part # 294, Angle .125, 12-inch length, and four packages.

Rix Products, 3747 Hogue Rd. Evansville In. 47712, (812) 426-1749, www.rixproducts.com

Part # 611, Vents

Liquid plastic cement, paint and modeling tools.

July/Aug ’04 - O Scale Trains • 15 Acme

16 • O Scale Trains - July/Aug ’04 Acme

July/Aug ’04 - O Scale Trains • 17 Acme

18 • O Scale Trains - July/Aug ’04 Acme

July/Aug ’04 - O Scale Trains • 19 Acme

20 • O Scale Trains - July/Aug ’04 SumpterSumpter

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Now Available From O Scale Trains Magazine A Guide To Modern O Scale by Brian Scace O Scale Trains Magazine

presents For the first time, here is a guide to O Here’s a peek at the Table of Contents: A Guide To Modern Scale two rail. This book was written 1. Welcome, and a little History by O Scale modelers with years of 2. Concept of Operation O Scale 3. Locomotives by Brian Scace experience in the hobby and they share 4. Rolling Stock and Couplers that experience with wit and wisdom. 5. Space Prep and Benchwork We’ll show you how to get started in 6. Track and Track Plans 2-rail O Scale, what you need and with Joe Giannovario where to get it. 7. Structures and Scenery with Neville Rossiter Of particular use is the list of 8. Wiring and Control Systems Resources at the end of each chapter. with Ted Byrne 9. Narrow Gauge Get your copy today from your local O with Bobber Gibbs Scale hobby shop or direct from O 10. Consider Traction 11. Proto 48 Scale Trains, just $14.95 plus $3 s&h. with Gene Deimling VISA & Mastercard Accepted. 12. Tools with Neville Rossiter Scale 13. Useful Tables, Tips, OT O Scale Trains and Short Notes rains PO Box 238 14. Sources, Conventions, Lionville PA 19353-0238 and Meets 610-363-7117 15. Glossary of Terms These ain’t yer Daddy’s trains!

July/Aug ’04 - O Scale Trains • 21 Let’s look at a nuance that, if a little and Baldwin, were eventually grouped Haven was known for the (strange attention is paid, can give your rail- together in discrete locations with choice!) pagoda-type towers on its road real believability at no (OK, shop forces trained in the nuances of property. Pennsy used cut block stone maybe a little) additional expense. each builder and parts inventories con- for retaining walls, bridge abutments, Most railroads in the real world pay centrated. It was a hard lesson to learn, and tunnel portals. Of course, you pro- great attention to common designs and and some large roads never learned it totype modelers will want to be aware practices, as a cost-savings measure. If at all. What this means is, if you model of these practices and incorporate we emulate that practice on our rail- one of the larger roads, just buying them on your layouts, while the free- roads, whether freelanced or proto- anything painted for your favorite road lancers can choose such a practice to type, we greatly enhance the visual may be fine for you now. Later, you follow, just to re-enforce the plausibili- believability of our empires. We’ll call may want to choose one of the regions ty of their railroad building efforts. this “commonality”, for the purposes of that road and focus your roster Bridges, signals, relay boxes, switch of this issue’s little tirade. accordingly. motors, and the like are often painted Most of you are already used to the Getting back to more general com- in the same color, usually silver or idea of a common paint scheme for monality concepts for a minute, take a black. If you don’t have, say, relay locomotives and rolling stock. Many look at your structures. All of those boxes yet, go buy a bunch of identical also go to great pains to make sure all towers, stations, watchman shanties, ones, paint them all the same color, of your Diesels have the same spark yard offices, and other company struc- and install them. Do the same for other arrestors on the stacks, or some other tures represent an opportunity for com- things like switch motor castings or common detail feature as a tool to monality. Most railroads paint their switch stands, battery vaults, and that achieve a family resemblance. By the structures in a common paint scheme, sort of stuff. Get some signals, even way, since many of our newcomers are just like they do with locomotives and dummy ones, and plant ‘em. Then go interested in the Diesel era, let’s carry rolling stock. You will be surprised at around the railroad with your silver or that thought a little further. Give some the improvement in appearance and black paint and cover all the metal thought to what locomotive types you credibility if you follow that example. structures and mechanisms that the buy. If your railroad is freelanced You prototype modelers will be able to maintenance department would have (modeling a fictitious company rather find the right color scheme in photos to paint. In a couple evenings, you’ve than one that exists or existed) you will and other research material. For the woven another commonality thread. do well to pay some homage to this freelancers among us, you get to pick Now go and get a bunch of compa- concept. Most smaller companies, in one. Avoid the circus colors, though, ny vehicles. Pickup trucks, mainte- the post WWII era, tried to narrow as most expense conscious railroads nance trucks, crew busses and vans their rosters to one builder’s product. would make color choices that weath- (what, you think we walked to the Y?), The obvious reason was, and still is, er well. Common schemes include track speeders and track equipment, that the shop forces only had to be grays with green trim, ochre with red bulldozers and tractors, and anything proficient in one builder’s locomo- or brown trim, and the like. Pick one else your railroad would use in real tives, and the spare parts inventory and take the time to paint all those life. Pick (or research) a paint scheme could be much smaller with many company buildings. Even if the archi- and paint them all up in company col- common assemblies for all locomotive tecture doesn’t match, the common ors. types on the roster. An easy way for a paint treatments will add another The lesson here is that commonali- freelance modeler to enhance the thread of commonality to the overall ty, or family resemblance, is not limit- credibility of his or her railroad is to appearance of the railroad, just as it ed to paint on locomotives and rolling pick a builder, be it Alco, EMD, Bald- does with locomotives and rolling stock, but found throughout a rail- win, or whomever, and limit model stock. road’s purchasing and maintenance purchases to that particular builder. Speaking of architecture, though, practices. You prototype guys can find Even larger companies rostering consider this. Many railroads used a them out with a little research, and you units from many builders, such as New common signature in their architecture freelancers just have a few choices to York Central, learned to assign differ- and engineering practices. Santa Fe make. By applying a few of the more ent builder’s locomotives to different was famous for it’s “mission-architec- visual of these, we can improve the regions. Thus, in NYC’s case, Alcos ture” stations. In New England, the visual believability of our railroads at and (later) GE’s predominated on the Boston and Albany was widely lauded very little expense, and without a East end, while EMDs were based on in the architecture world for the whole lot of effort. the West end. Even NYC’s minority Richardson styled stone stations and Let’s go Exploring! ◆ builders, like Fairbanks-Morse, Lima, grounds along its mainline, while New ([email protected])

22 • O Scale Trains - July/Aug ’04 Ron’s Books The Public Delivery Track P.O. BOX 714, HARRISON, NY 10528 Locomotives - 2 rail (914)967-7541 11AM to 10PM EST Atlas..Dash 8's..$299-$349 GP-35's...$339-$359 FAX (914)967-7492 24HR RS-1..LIRR, PRR, Rut, CNJ, RI, SF, WT, C&O..$339-$359 YOUR ONE STOP BOOK AND VIDEO SHOP SD-35....B&O, CNJ, CSX, PC, NW, Sou, WM..$299-$349 Discount Prices & NEVER a SW's...RRiv, B&O, LV, Rdg, Susq, RI..$225-$329 Shipping Charge within the U.S.* Weaver....K-4, L-1, GG-1, C-630, NKP Berk...call Check our updated, fully secure Web site regularly for ..VO-1000..B&O,CNJ, GN, LV, MILW, PRR, UP, WM..$249 specials available only on the web: www.ronsbooks.com ..U25's..BN, EL, LV, Rdg, MILW, NYC, PRR...$179-$239 e-mail us at: [email protected] ..RS-3..Erie, LN, LV, NH, NKP, PRR, Rdg, Rut, Susq..$249 “WHAT’S NEW?” A Century of Subways - Cudahy ...... 27.25 ..RS-11..C&O, CN, CV, CNW, MEC, PRR, SP.....$249 Alco’s Centennial Remembrance - Steinbrenner ...... 65.00 ..GP-38's..C&O, CP, CSX, ICG, L&N, LV, B&M...$249 Atlanta West Point Railroad Remembered S/C ...... 18.25 ..U25's, RS-3's, GP-38....Non-Powered...$159 B&O Steam Locomotives - Last 30 Years (TLC) ...... 27.25 ..Shaft drive RS-3's, GP-38's, FA/FB's..CNJ, D&H, EL... 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Marsh Jr...... 48.00 50'..ACL, NH, RG, DH, NYC, MILW, MKT, SAL, SF..$55-$57 Clinchfield in the Coal Fields ...... 30.25 53'..Aloha, Purina, B&M, BN, CNW, FEC, MP, UP..$35-$50 Conrail Color History-Doherty & Solomon ...... 31.50 Crawford Hill - A Railfan’s Perspective ...... 27.25 60'..DTI, MKT, NS, CSX, B&O, EL, RG, Sou, NW..$39-$49 Delaware & Hudson in Color Vol 3 ...... 48.00 Weaver..40' & 50'..ACL, ACY, ARR, ATSF, BAR, B&O, Denver Street Railways Vol 2 1901-1950 ...... 70.00 B&M, CBQ, CGW, CIM, CNJ, CN, C&O, CP, CV, CR, Dixie Line - L&N -Oroszi ...... 60.00 D&H, DTSL, EL, GN, IC, MEC, LV, L&N, MP, NYC, NW Erie Lackawanna in Color Vol 5 -Merger Memories . . . . .48.00 NH, NP, NYSW, PC, PLE, PRR, Rdg, Rut, SCL, SOU, SP Faces in Railroading - Swanson ...... 27.25 TPW, UP, WM, WP, CN, Rbox, RI, MRL, more...$20-$30 Faster Than the Limiteds - CERA 137 ...... 50.00 From Small Town to Downtown- Jewett Car Company .45.00 Refrigerator Cars - 2 rail Grand Trunk Western in Color V1 or V2- Visual Redesign .each 48.00 Wvr/Crown..B&M, CV, CN, NYC, NP, BAR, REA, Hoods, Great Lakes Car Ferries - Hilton -Reprint ...... 36.00 Great Lakes Trolleys in Color ...... 48.00 Whitehse, Dubuque, Nrn Refrig, Beers, more..$25-$30 Lehigh Valley: Wyoming & Buffalo Division - Bednar . . . .58.50 57' Mech..PFE, Trop, UP, SF..15 roads..$29. w/sound..$39 Locos of the Upper Midwest-Diesel Power in the 60’s & 70’s 27.25 Atlas..36' & 40'..Custom ptd CNJ, 20+ others..$55 and up Louisville & Nashville in Color Vol 1 - Borkowski ...... 48.00 New 40' steel..IC, DLW, NP, ATSF + old Intermtn..$35-$50 Monongahela Railway: History & Operation ...... 36.00 New Haven Dining on the Shore Line ...... 23.25 Covered Hoppers - 2 rail New Haven in Color Vol. 1 Battle for Profits 1945-61 . . . .48.00 Weaver PS-2.. Bakers, Jack Frost, Wayne Feed, Purina New York, Susquehanna & Western Railroad - Mohowski .32.00 Revere, Goiden Loaf, BN, CBQ, CNJ, CNW, CP, CR, CSX New York City Transit Authority Bus & T.C. 1946-58 . . . .23.50 DLW, DTI, EL, LV, NH, NYC, PRR, Rdg, WAB, UP..$25-$30 North American Railyards ...... 31.50 Wvr C'flow or Grain..CR, CP, ONT, LV, NYC, PRR, On the Right Track - Historic Cincinnati Railroads ...... 34.00 Sask, Sunbeam, Amoco, Sclair, Shell, Dupont, Hercules, Operation CUT - First 3 Years - Cleveland Union Terminal . . .18.00 P & LE Berkshires ...... 40.50 Rainbow, WC, MRL, BN, UP, SP, RI, CNW, MNS..$25-$29 P & LE Gondola Cars ...... 23.25 Atlas..ACF 34' ..Erie, LNE, NKP, GN, SP, Boraxo...$55 Penn Central Railroad Color History - Lynch ...... 31.50 Cyl..DLW, BN, Trona, NYC, WGrace, GN, PRR..$35-$45 Pennsylvania RR Passenger Trains, Consists & Cars Vol1 . .36.00 Airslide..CNJ, LV, D&H, CSX, PRR, UP, Jfrost..$35-$45 Pennsylvania Trolleys in Color Vol 4 - The 40’s ...... 48.00 PS-4427..RG, SF, MILW, LV, SOO, Wayne Fd, PRR...$55 Pittsburgh Railways Vol 1 H/C - Beal ...... 74.00 Prairie Railroad Town-Rock Is. Shops in Kansas ...... 27.25 Hopper Cars - 2 rail PRR Lines West: Pittsburgh to St. Louis 1960-1999 . . . .55.00 Atlas..ACL, CNJ, C&O, D&H, LV, NS, Rdg, WM.. $45-$55 Pullmans to St. Louis - Missouri Pacific Lines ...... 27.25 Wartime..B&O, C&O, CRR, VGN, PRR, undec.....$47 Rail Mail ...... 17.25 Ore..BLE, CN, DMIR, UP..$27. H21..PRR, NW, PC..$55-$64 Railfan Guide to Austria/Guide to Switzerland (2 books) . . .34.50 Weaver..2, 3, 4-bay and Comp..B&A, BAR, B&M, CBQ Railfan Guide to Britain & Ireland/to Germany (2 books) . .34.50 Railfan Guide to France ...... 20.25 CP, CR,CNJ, C&O, D&H, DLW, Erie, EL, IC, GT, NH, NS Railroad Logging in Klamath Country-Bowden ...... 45.00 NYC, NKP, NW, PRR, Rdg, SAL, SF, UP, WAB, WM..$25 Railroad Signaling - Solomon ...... 31.50 Tank Cars - 2 rail Rails Across Boston - North/South 2 books ...... 34.00 Weaver..Jfrost, GULF, BN, Trusweet, Allied, ADM, Army Rails Along the Oriskany (NYO&W) ...... 23.25 Santa Fe Depots of the Plains ...... 36.00 Ethyl, Diamond, Hooker, DuPont, Sunoco,Bakers..$30 Santa Fe Heritage Vol 4 - Priest ...... 55.00 Atlas..60'..Propane, CNTX, Pyrofax,Tech Prop..$37-$50 Santa Fe Locomotive Facilities Vol 1 Gulf Lines - Priest .55.00 40'..SHPX, UTLX, Hook, Gulf, Sunray, Shell, Spence..$55 Sawmill Modeling (back in stock) ...... 23.25 Flat Cars, Stock Cars, MofW The South Park Line - Ferrell ...... 82.00 Southern Pacific Daylight Locomotives - Church ...... 65.00 Atlas..89' flats..$65. Trailers..$25. Auto Carriers..$85 Southern Pacific in Color Vol 4 Tunnel Motor Era - Boyd 48.00 Pulpwood flats..ACL, ATSF, BN, D&H, IC, L&N..$47-$50 Gorilla Glue is the versatile, Southern Pacific in Color Vol 5 Merger & Memories . . . .48.00 Front runners...... no trailer..$47; With trailer...... $67 interior/exterior adhesive Southern Pacific Historic DieselsVol 10 ...... 27.25 Wvr Flats..SF, Rdg, CN, Erie, LV, BN, TTX, Army..$25-$30 ideal for most household Southern Pacific’s Scenic Coast Line -Color Pictorial - Dill . .55.00 Stock..BO, CNW, Armour, RG, PRR, Rdg, Erie, etc..$30 Southern Pacific’s Western Division ...... 65.00 MTH..Plows, Cranes, Schnabel, dump cars, etc..call fixes and building projects: St. Kitts Railway - From Sugar Cane to Tourist Train . . . .20.00 furniture repair,crafts, wood- Streetcar Lines to the Hub - 1940’s - Clarke ...... 50.00 K-Line Diecast Double-Stack $50. Coil cars..$35-$40 Tank Cars From the American Car & Foundry ...... 60.00 Scale signals..1 and 2 head color, PRR, B&O, dwarf, working, and general repairs Thunder of Their Passing-D&RG&Cumbres&Toltec H/C 50.00;S/C 40.50 semaphore, cantilever, highway flashers, 20+ types..$20-$50 around the house. Bonds Tracks of the New York Subway 3.6 edition ...... 36.00 Gondolas - 2 rail wood, stone, metal, Trackside Around Illinois 1960-1973 ...... 48.00 Atlas..CBQ, CNJ, GN, MP, NW, NYC, PRR, Rdg..$32 Trackside Around Massachusetts 1950-1970 w//Monroe . .48.00 ceramic & more! Trackside Around Ontario 1955-1960 w/Don McCartney . .48.00 Wvr..CNJ, PRR, LV, RI, SF, Rdg, UP, NKP, BM, MEC..$27 Trackside Around the Niagara Penninsula ...... 48.00 Cabeese - 2 rail, 3 rail scale Incredibly strong and Wabash Pittsburgh Terminal Railroad - Worley ...... 21.00 Wvr.. BM, NH, NYC, Erie, LHR, LV, DH, more..$20-$35 100% waterproof. West Virginia Central & Pittsburgh Railway ...... 30.00 K-line, MTH..N-8, N5c, NE'rn, others, 15 roads+..$35-$60 White Pine Route - Idaho ...... 45.00 Atlas..BN, CR, DH, RFP, Rut, GN, Chessie, RG..$50-$67 REQUEST YOUR FREE *$18.00 MINIMUM order for free shipping in the USA. Send $3.00 for latest list. All orders must be paid in U.S. funds. NY residents please add cor- The Public Delivery Track • [email protected] INFORMATION KIT! rect sales tax. Print your name, address and phone number. Credit card users add card number and expiration date. Allow 4 weeks for delivery. For de- PO Box 1035 • Drexel Hill, PA 19026 www.gorillaglue.com livery outside of USA please add $8.00 for the first book and $3.00 for each addi- 610-259-4945 • VISA•MC•AMEX•Disc tional book. Make checks payable to Ron’s Books. Only inquiries which include a SASE will be answered. Prices subject to change. 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24 • O Scale Trains - July/Aug ’04 31280 Groesbeck, Fraser, MI 48026 586-296-6116 Open Mon-Fri 10-8, P&DHobbyHobby ShopShop Sat 10-6, Sun 12-5 P&D Fax: 586-296-5642 P&DP&D HobbyHobby FF UnitUnit BodyBody KitKit SaleSale Model shown is #7000

F Unit “A” Body Kits: reg. $99.95, on sale $82.99 #5000 EMD F2, F3-Ph1 (3 portholes) #6000 EMD F3-Ph2, F3-Ph3 (2 portholes) All kits include brass etched P&D 5080K Atlas #7000 EMD F3-Ph4, F7-Ph1 early (2 portholes) F Unit Mounting #8000 EMD F7-Ph1 late, F7-Ph2 (2 portholes, grills, appropriate detailed parts, Bracket Kit for 48" brake, vert. grills) and preformed grab irons for mounting P&D F #9000 EMD F9 (2 portholes, vert. grills) indicated model. These kits “A” or "B” body to F Unit “B” Body Kits: reg. $94.99, on sale $79.99 include only the parts above the older Atlas chassis #1000 EMD F2, F3-Ph1 (includes all #2000 EMD F3-Ph2, F3-Ph3 frame. hardware): $30 #3000 EMD F3-Ph3, F7-Ph1 (horiz. grills) #4000 EMD F7-Ph1 9late), F7-Ph2, F9 (vert. grills)

July/Aug ’04 - O Scale Trains • 25 26 • O Scale Trains - July/Aug ’04 Do you have a stable of steam locomotives and no place for size of rest of the roundhouse can be determined. Do you want your maintenance people to perform any kind of work on them? to be able to enclose your largest locomotive? This and other Well, that was my situation. I had a turntable and a couple of considerations will determine the length of the side walls. The storage tracks radiating from it, but no enclosure to provide for rear walls should be perpendicular to the storage tracks. In my repairs. I needed and wanted a roundhouse. case, due to the edge of the layout, I opted for one short stall. There have been a few commercial roundhouse kits available Figure 1 shows my completed floor plan drawing. over the years, but none of them fit the array of tracks stemming Using the floor plan, I decided to make each side in three sec- from my turntable. Also, I want- tions, each section being ed a stone roundhouse and the 31'6" in length. The height of only recent kit of this style was the side at the position of the for On3. So, I designed and Fig. 1 clerestory windows was deter- built my own. If you have a mined to be 24'0". The slope similar situation, you can build of the side walls was cut into one as well. Since I wanted a each section when they were stone roundhouse, I chose plas- assembled as a unit. The back ter and made my own molds. walls worked out to be 32'6" To make molds, I needed mas- in length and 18'0" high [see ters and to make masters I Figures 2 and 3]. needed dimensions. The decision as to what Getting Started window I would use came As mentioned, the turntable next. Most of you are familiar and radiating tracks were Floor plan of roundhouse and turntable with Grandt Line products, already in place. I took all of and Window #3740 was just the pertinent measurements and, using a computer aided drafting what I wanted. Two groups of these windows, each consisting (CAD) program, I made a drawing of the area. Using this draw- of two windows with a 9" styrene column between them pro- ing, the floor plan dimensions of the roundhouse were deter- vided plenty of light to view the interior of the roundhouse. mined. Here are a few design considerations. The minimum Some provision for the rear wall of the short stall was made, opening for each entry track should be 16'0" wide, and if you but more on this later. add front doors, it will need to be larger. The width of the door After completing the drawings, I printed them out, pasted them support columns will add to this width. How your tracks “fan” to foamcore board and sat them in the proper place on the layout. from the turntable determines where the front wall will go to This allowed me to study the structure and make any changes allow for this 16'+ dimension. Once the front wall is located, the before, rather than after construction had started. I try to do this

July/Aug ’04 - O Scale Trains • 27 Fig. 2 and one end wall. The stone sheet was backed up with sheet basswood so the weight of the rubber molding compound would not distort the siding. A styrene “sill” was provided on all sides for the window assemblies. This window opening was made a little smaller than required, so that plaster could be removed in order to give the windows a good fit. A 9" flat was put on each end of the wall sections for a pilaster. The master was made so that two finished plaster castings could be glued back to back to provide a stone finish on both sides of each wall section. The pilaster master was an 18" wide by 12" deep piece of styrene with 18" wide individual stones cut from the Plastikard glued to it and short stone pieces glued on the sides. A dam of styrene was built around each master to contain the RTV rubber mold compound. Drawing of Side Elevation of the Roundhouse The outside bottom edges of these walls were filled Fig. 3 Rear Wall Master 2

Drawing of Rear Wall Section of the Roundhouse

with clay to prevent any RTV leaks. [Editor's note: RTV stands for Room Temperature Vulcanizing.] I used RTV from Micro-Mark sold as their One-To-One/Rapid. This RTV cures in 4 hours, however, at the time I made these with all of the structures I scratchbuild. molds the RTV cured in 24 hours. I have used other RTV’s that Making Masters required precise mixing and I prefer the Micro-Mark brand I used plastic sheet embossed with a stone pattern for my because it uses a 50-50 mixing ratio, by weight or volume. I don’t wall masters. The sheet is Slater’s Embossed Plastikard, part# own any stock in Micro-Mark, but recommend that you purchase 0415 "Dressed Stone". This is a British product that I purchased the Starter Set. You will find use for all of the items included. from Railway Models. I liked the embossing and pattern of this Be sure to coat your master with a mold release agent (which product. Using Plastikard plus strip styrene and sheet bass- comes in the Starter Kit). Cover the master with a thin coat of RTV. wood, two masters were made (see Photos 1, 2), one side wall Check for any bubbles, and continue to pour the RTV slowly until the form is filled. I have a commercial PC board assembly vibrator Side Wall & Pilaster Master 1 Side Wall Mold 3

28 • O Scale Trains - July/Aug ’04 that works well for removing any trapped air bubbles. (Editor’s dental pick. The pilaster at the rear of the roundhouse was done note: You can also pull a vacuum to reduce air bubbles using a in the same manner. Since the rear wall sections sit at a slight vacuum cleaner or a vacuum hand pump). Allow the mold to cure angle to one another, the area that the pilaster fits over required for the prescribed time. After removing the mold from the master, some sanding. let the mold sit another 24 hours before using it (see Photo 3). Now we have: one side, three sections long; a back, four sec- To make the short stall back wall I took the back master and tions wide; and the other side consisting of a one-section piece added additional rows of stone at the top to get the required and a two-section piece. I sat the back wall in position with the height. A new mold was made from this modified master. For long side wall. At this time, I realized that my pilaster wasn’t wide some reason the reduced width of this wall didn’t even cross my enough for the corners where two walls join. This is why I recom- mind at the time, though I had it right there on the floor plan mend you make extra wall pieces. By cutting strips from an extra drawing. The best plans of mice and men! wall casting, I was able to make a pilaster wide enough for the Making And Assembling The Parts ends. These pilasters were glued to the long side wall, the short So now we are finally ready to start producing the roundhouse side wall and both ends of the back wall. The gap between the pieces. Densite brand plaster was used to make the wall and wall and the pilaster was filled with plaster and then this area was pilaster sections. Cast as many sections as required (two per wall sanded to a 45 degree angle. Any gap left after glueing these 45 section) and then make half as many again. When pouring the degree corners together was filled with plaster, shaped and paint- plaster, take care to avoid air bubbles and try to get the back of ed. The regular pilasters worked okay on the front end of the side the casting as flat as possible. I pre-colored my plaster with tem- walls. Two pilasters were sanded so as to join at a 45 degree angle pera powder paint. The backs of the wall sections may require and the side stone work was left on the front door edge. some sanding before glueing them together with white glue. In setting up the roundhouse walls, I realized the rear wall of Each wall section was given a coat of Floquil Driftwood stain. the short stall had to be narrower than the other back wall sec- This is no longer available but a quick trip to a paint store will tions. When I had removed enough wall width so that this back reveal a myriad of alternatives. The coloring method I used is wall section would fit, I didn’t like it. The windows came too from Tom Yorke’s plaster kit instructions. Don’t shake the bottle close to the ends of the wall. I decided to extend the short stall on the first coat, shake it a little on the next coat and continue track out the back as far as I could which worked out to be anoth- with this method until you reach the overall finish you desire. I er 10 inches. Using extra wall pieces, I made a wall section with then painted individual stones with other stains and acrylic four doors in it. The doors were built up using styrene sheet and paints (see Photo 4). strips and painted D&H Blue (see photo 5). I placed brass wire in Finished Rear Wall Section 4 Short Stall Rear Doors 5

The windows openings had to be enlarged slightly to take the two Grandt windows and spacer. The “sills” were painted with Polly Scale Concrete color. The windows and spacer were paint- the outer door so that it could pivot and used Grandt Line round- ed with Scalecoat D&H Blue (D&H Blue & D&H Gray are my house door hinges for the inner door. I did not put any pilasters on RR colors) before inserting them into the wall. The “glass” in the the inside corner of the foreshorten rear wall and the side wall. windows is exposed x-ray film. The more “exposed” the darker The two-section side wall was glued to the foreshortened rear the glass. It makes good smoky glass. wall and the walls of the roundhouse were complete. Both of the three piece wall sections were laid together. The Interior Details roof slope of the back two sections and the slope of the front sec- The structural interior of the roundhouse was made from tion were then laid out. The top of each section was cut. Wetting Evergreen Scale Models #287 H-columns. Three long front-to- the plaster before cutting made it much easier to cut. I decided to back frameworks and one partial section were made on a fix- add a pedestrian door in the last section of each side. An appro- ture. These were than painted Floquil Weathered Black along priate Grandt Line door was chosen and the required plaster area with some extra H-columns and some Evergreen #254 square 1 between the two window groups was removed. Some filling with ⁄4" tubing. This square tubing was used across the front under plaster between the back-to-back plaster sides was necessary to the clerestory windows and for all three sides of the front door get a solid door opening and also when I cut the slope on the top openings. This framework was then assembled (See Photo 6). of the side walls. The side walls were then glued to each other The sloping framework to support the rear roof was added using with white glue along their edges. The pilaster pieces were then the extra painted H-columns. The clerestory sections were made glued in place. This is where I found out that the stone shaping up from scribed styrene and two Grandt Line #3738 windows. on the sides of the pilaster had to be changed. The sides were These assemblies were painted D&H Blue and glued in place sanded down flat and new mortar grooves were carved in with a (See Photo 7).

July/Aug ’04 - O Scale Trains • 29 6 placed on the top of the roof to represent seam joints in the roof. The Grandt Line smokejacks were added. I am going to use Berk- shire Junction EZ Line for the smokejack guy wires. This is the only item left to be done to the roundhouse. The roofs were painted with Floquil Weathered Black. Normally you would also paint the inside of the roofs black, but I decided against this. I painted the inside of the roofs with Floquil light gray primer to allow more light when looking through the windows. You may want to add track pits and other items to your roundhouse, but I decided not to do this from the beginning. With the addition of ballast all round the roundhouse and some details, I now have a place to perform repairs on my motive power. It was a fun project that was spread over a year or two from the initial design to the completed structure. Maybe your attempt at making Interior Framework masters and molds won’t be for as large a building, but at least of Roundhouse when faced with wanting a structure that doesn’t exist in kit or Close-up of Clerestory Windows 7 built form, you might try these methods. ◆

The Finished Roundhouse Roofing The only remaining items were the two roofs. Cardboard templates were made to assure the accuracy of the roof shapes. 1 When fitting the front template, I found that the ⁄4" square tubing under the clerestory windows wasn’t wide enough to support the 1 back edge of this roof. I added another row of ⁄4" square tubing in front of the existing tubing to provide this support. After being satisfied with the templates, each was transferred to .030" sheet styrene. I found out that I didn’t have enough sheet styrene for all of the roofs. Check your local Yellow Pages for plastic dealers. I got a 2'x4' piece of .030" styrene for $3.00. Using my rear roof template, I located the position of the holes for Grandt Line #3512 smokejacks on my 4 long stalls. Laying the roof sheets in place, I marked the location of the roof support H- columns with a pencil on the underside. Laying the roofs on a table upside down, I used Evergreen strips, #158, to provide brac- Resources: ing to the roof (See Photo 8). Evergreen 1x4 styrene strips were Grandt Line, 1040 B Shary Court, Concord, CA 94518, 925-671-0143, www.grandtline.com Underside of Rear Roof Section 8 Slater’s Embossed Plastikard from Railway Models, PO Box 871, Edgewood, MD 21040, [email protected] Micro-Mark, 340 Snyder Ave., Berkeley Heights, NJ 07922, 908-464- 2984, www.micromark.com Floquil and Polly Scale paints: The Testor Corporation, 440 Blackhawk Ave, Rockford, IL 61104, 800-962-6654, www.testors.com Scalecoat paint: Weaver Models, PO Box 231, Northumberland, PA 17857, 570-473-9434, www.weavermodels.com Evergreen Scale Models, 18620-F 141st Ave. NE, Woodinville, WA 98072, 425-402-4918, www.evergreenscalemodels.com Berkshire Junction, PO Box 205, Adams, MA 01220, 413-743-3960, www.berkshirejunction.com

30 • O Scale Trains - July/Aug ’04 A Brief Conversation With M.T.H.’s Andy Edleman An exclusive for OST by K. Jeb Kriigel

In the new M.T.H. Electric Trains You will be able to operate your 2- ests. The 3-Rail locos will come with 2004 Volume 2 catalog, it was rail scale locomotive with the features deeper flanged wheels and HiRail announced that several Premier Line that have made Proto-Sound 2.0® and couplers. The 2-Rail counterparts will locomotives will be available in scale M.T.H.’s Digital Command System be scale in all aspects, but that switch 2-rail. I recently had the opportunity (DCS), famous in the 3-Rail market. allows for flexibility and conversion. to discuss this news with Andy Edle- Features like operating smoke syn- We here at O Scale Trains Magazine man, V.P. for Sales & Marketing at chronized to chuff sounds and driver recommend that HiRailers with t-sec- M.T.H. Electric Trains. It really is ter- revolutions, whistle, bell and many tion track and broad curves order the rific news in itself for a major 3-rail other sounds will now be available in 2-rail scale versions and take advan- manufacturer to offer some of their 2-rail scale locomotives. Many of tage of that switch feature. When products in 2-rail. You may remem- these functions will work right out of you’re ready to go all 2-rail, it’ll be a ber that M.T.H. released 2-rail ver- the box regardless of which power snap to convert. sions of many of its Premier Line system you use. If your power system How is all this possible? As Andy Diesel and steam engines in the is DC, other features will necessitate states, “The engineering and market- 1990s until sales were no longer suf- the purchase of a special conver- ing people at M.T.H. planned for the ficient to support the separate manu- sion/interface box which will be future with the development of their facture of 2-rail equipment. That was available for sale later this year. “For DCS operating system. It is a system then; this is now, and it’s a whole the ultimate enjoyment of M.T.H.’s that can function on AC or DC power new ballgame. features though,” Edleman says, and features virtually unlimited According to Mr. Edleman, you “Users who opt for M.T.H.’s DCS Dig- growth potential thanks to its software will once again have the option of ital Command System will have hun- deliverable operating system.” Such ordering a new Premier Line steam dreds of sounds and features flexibility allows for the operation of locomotive in either HiRail or 2-rail accessible through the system’s inno- DC scale locomotives as outlined scale. These scale locomotives will vative and easy-to-use remote con- above. More interestingly, as new be vast improvements over the earlier trol.” M.T.H. features or sounds are devel- versions. The market demand for While having more choices for 2- oped they can be delivered right into scale realism and details has led to rail scale locomotives is great for tra- the user’s locomotive or DCS system major improvements in design and ditional 2-railers, the people who will in just a few minutes. All that’s new operating features. benefit the most from these new loco- required is a personal computer and For example, imagine opening the motives are the HiRailers, especially an Internet connection. box and finding that your new scale those who already own DCS systems. M.T.H. certainly has exhibited loco has a switch that will allow you HiRailers can now make a smooth innovative and creative engineering to run it on two rail or three rail track. transition from 3 to 2-Rails. They can with this new line of locomotives. Mr. Imagine opening a 2-rail scale loco- now operate in pure scale. Tradition- Edelman says more information will motive and finding a pair of center- al 2-Railers will also have features be forthcoming about features and rail pickup rollers in the box. The that were only available in 3-rail or at options. The first locomotive avail- instructions say you can attach the high cost. able in the new line is the venerable rollers, throw the switch and run on So, which version should you N&W Class J, 4-8-4 (see the M.T.H. HiRail t-section track. All of this is order? According to Edleman, it is ad in this issue). ◆ now possible, says Edelman, and best to order the locomotive that is there’s more. most closely designed for your inter-

July/Aug ’04 - O Scale Trains • 31

A previous article (OST #14) described the linear wholesale produce market. At the right end of the pas- yard at the west end of the Buckeye Railroad. This sec- senger terminal are two additional sidings. One serves ond article on yards for O Gauge layouts discusses the wholesale produce market; the other serves a tool how the Buckeye Railroad maximizes operating possi- and die factory and a grain elevator. At the left end of bilities at a small loop yard. The Pittsburgh terminal at the passenger yard are three stub tracks that dead end the east end of the layout occupies a space that is inside an A&P cold storage facility. twenty-two feet long and eight feet wide, acquired Across the aisle in “North Pitt” is the Buckeye’s when an extension was added to the house. It depicts “Ohio” freight yard. This yard has a short lead and four an urban terminal that might have been found in Pitts- spurs that access the railroad’s regional freight house. burgh’s downtown area in the mid-1950s. As shown in With urban space at a premium, the railroad performs Figure 1, the passenger yard is built in just over sixteen downtown track repairs from a small, “remoted” main- feet of the room with the loop utilizing the workshop tenance-of-way facility at North Pitt. It also maintains area at one end. The two legs of the loop turn into the a small water tank at North Pitt to top off steam loco- main train room where they join to become a single motives for the short trip out to the main engine facility track mainline leading to the railroad’s main classifica- in the suburban yard to the west, where coaling and tion yard to the west. major engine servicing is performed. This continues The yard at Pittsburgh is actually two yards, a pas- the first article’s theme of using smaller yards along the senger yard and a freight yard. These two smaller yards railroad that compliment each other instead of trying are bisected by a center aisle for easy access to both to squeeze all yard functions into a single location. sets of tracks. Primary access to the aisle is via a lift The yards at Pittsburgh and North Pitt use angled bridge at Monongahela Junction where the two yard table top benchwork for a more realistic appearance leads join in the main train room. The front edge of both yards is a bulkhead with water Pittsburgh’s Union Station features through opera- at the base, suggesting that the aisle is the Mononga- tion with five platform tracks. Behind the platform hela River. With downtown space at a premium, the tracks are two tracks serving a power plant, bakery and viewer can accept the fact that virtually all the tabletop

34 • O Scale Trains - July/Aug ’04 layout drawing by Carey Hinch

is filled with track. The buildings behind Union Station space that is slightly wider are five stories tall and reach above eye level to further than twice your minimum emphasize the expensive real estate around the termi- track radius. With its mini- nal. The right hand corner of the table includes both mum radius of 48”, the buildings and building flats behind a street that is pre- Buckeye needed about nine sumably going uphill towards the city landscape. Here feet of width for the loop the table is widest, allowing more room for concealing connecting the two yards. To the corner of the room. The industrial spur to the right achieve this, part of the loop of the passenger station ends in a mirror, suggesting had to tunnel into the main train room. Needless to additional railroad activity beyond the rising street. say, our home builder was quite surprised when he got At the left end, the yard throat disappears under a the call to punch a hole through that wall. highway bridge to the A&P warehouse. Above the Since the Buckeye is a point to point operation, bridge is a mirror that reflects back on the building the original plans for Pittsburgh called for a stub-end flats, giving the impression of a much longer cityscape. terminal. However, early operation of the layout The yard throat narrows to a single track as it enters showed that the time taken to reverse or change the adjoining shop area. locomotives seriously detracted from operating effi- The track loops around and re-enters at North Pitt ciency as did the extra switching moves that stub-end just behind the Buckeye Railroad’s freight house. tracks require. On the other hand, the loop yard Here, another mirror appears to double the length of could be designed with double-end sidings to expe- the freight house. At North Pitt, a double-ended siding dite flow. In two-rail operations, the drawback is that parallels the mainline. Four stub tracks from the siding a loop yard requires an isolated track block where serve the freight house. Two of the stub tracks into the polarity can be reversed. At Pittsburgh, the block is freight house pass out the back and over the work- on the loop in the workroom. This inconvenience bench in the shop, providing additional car capacity was accepted in order to get added operational flexi- at the Ohio Yard. At the back of this yard, the wall to bility, including the ability to route arriving trains left the adjoining train room was removed during con- or right at Monongahela Junction. struction. This revealed a hidden double track main- The functions of the yard complex at Pittsburgh line and, above, a village. With this ready-made include debarking and boarding passengers at the backdrop, virtually all the space on the new table main passenger terminal, as well as loading and could be used for the Ohio Yard. The sandstone bluff unloading baggage, express and milk. Passenger oper- behind the yard is constructed where the old founda- ations include express services offered by the Buckeye, tion wall used to stand. New York Central, Baltimore & Ohio and Pennsylva- If you wish to create a similar yard, you will need a nia Railroads as well as Buckeye commuter and

July/Aug ’04 - O Scale Trains • 35 A Loop Yard in a Small Space “clocker” services. Express reefers from the West are switched onto Tracks 6 and 7, which serve the wholesale produce market. A daily NYC Pacemaker express freight to Cleveland originates at the freight house in North Pitt. The Ohio Yard at North Pitt also receives a local freight from the Buckeye’s suburban yard to the west of the city. About half of the cars in this freight are spotted at the freight house by the Pitts-

burgh yard drill. The drill takes the remaining cars across the river to Pitts- burgh where they are spotted at the A&P cold storage warehouse, the power plant, the bakery, the millers and the tool-and- die factory. A total of 18 trains serve the

Pittsburgh yards during an operating session. Perhaps there’s some space adjoining your layout that could be converted to a loop yard. If not, maybe it’s time to call your builder! ◆

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July/Aug ’04 - O Scale Trains • 37 Slide-out Control Panel Would you like to be in control... of your layout? Well, here is a neat slide-out control panel that you can build in a couple of hours. It’s ideal for tight spaces in aisles. 4: The panel with The panel size is 16" wide x 15" deep but can be virtually the side rails any size. The framework is 1" x 2" lumber glued and screwed installed. 1 together, with ⁄8" MDF or plywood for the top. The track diagram was drawn out on a computer, printed, then coated with laminated plastic. The diagram was then applied to the panel top with thin double-sided tape. The panel slides on a universal drawer kit available at any large hardware store. ◆

5: The panel in 1: Using thin place on the layout, double-sided tape, closed. the track diagram is applied to the control panel top.

6: The panel installed and extended looking from under the layout. Note the extra wire 2: The locations for bundled and clamped push and toggle at the back of the switches are drilled panel. Using terminal out so the switches blocks for wiring can be installed. makes the task of layout wiring a lot easier.

3: Common drawer 7: The finished slide hardware is panel looking from used. the aisle.

38 • O Scale Trains - July/Aug ’04 VERLAND MODELS is proud to announce the General Electric “AC4400CW” and O“C60AC” locomotives to ‘O’ scale modelers and collectors! Featured railroads for this release are: BNSF, CP, CSX, SP and UP. These powerful locomotives are beauti- fully finished and fully detailed. Not only are they perfect on your model railroad but also serve as great mantle pieces or office decoration. In stock soon. Due in late 2004 or early 2005 will be a group of “SD40T-2” and “SD45T-2” models in ‘O’ scale as well. This production will feature: D&RGW, SP, Cotton Belt and UP Tunnel Motors as well as AT&SF and Milwaukee Road “FP45”s. Visit our website at www.overlandmodels.com to locate an authorized Overland Models dealer near you. Actual sample models by Ajin Precision pictured. SP/Cotton Belt “SD45T-2” No.9389 “SD45T-2” specially painted Bicentennial red/white/ blue scheme, completely lettered, and equipped with operating head and ditch lights — OMI #048010012.1 UNION PACIFIC “C44ACCTE” Nos. 5721, 5722 and 5730, factory painted yellow/gray with waving flag and Building America slogan on long hood and winged UP shield on low short nose. Completely lettered, and equipped with operating head and ditch lights — OMI #048010003.1 Models pictured are licensed by Union Pacific Railroad

Website: www.overlandmodels.com E-Mail: [email protected] Telephone: (765) 289-4257 3808 W. Kilgore Ave. · Muncie, IN 47304 U.S.A. Fax: (765) 289-6013 boiler helped prevent movement just in case you had to “hit the brakes” while transporting the locomotive. The strips of terry cloth towels minimize abrasions. To locate the carrying handle put the Bob’s engine or car in the box and slide the whole thing over a dowel to find the bal- ance point [See photo 5]. This is the cen- Carry Box terline for the handle. 5 The box hardware is from Stanley Train Box Carrying Case Works and all material can be bought at Text & Photos by any local hardware store. One thing to Bob O’Neill the effort to build the cases to protect the remember, when storing an engine for Drawing by Richard Whelove investment in time spent building a any length of time remove the elastic model. Cardboard boxes just didn’t last. bands to keep the driver springs in the I have been asked many times who Bob’s son, Rick, needed a project for an suspension system from compressing. I’ve made the carrying cases that I use to industrial arts class he was taking at the been guilty of forgetting to do that and the transport my engines [Photo 1]. I inherited University of Missouri in 1977. He engine can wobble around for many laps several from the collection of O Scale decided to copy his dad’s box. The result before it gets back in shape, if you have Hall of Fame member Robert W. is the dimensioned drawing shown on good enough springs with memory. Whelove. The boxes came with the page 41. If anybody has any questions my ◆ engines. Bob would say that it was worth The top and bottom of the box email is [[email protected]]. are made from 1" x 6" material cut 1 to the proper width as shown in 1 the drawing. The sides are ⁄4" plywood. Photo 2 shows the sliding 3 drawer and the way the top and sides are glued and nailed together. The tricky part is getting the glide strips to line up with the slots in the drawer sides [Photo 3]. After the parts for the box have been cut, take the bottom and place the drawer on top. Hold the sides up in each of the mitered slots and 7 mark the position for the ⁄32" strips on the sides. The door is nothing more than a piece of leftover plywood that has 1 been cut about ⁄4" smaller than the outside dimensions of the end of 1 the box. Then take ⁄4" strips of 2 clear pine to make a “picture frame” around the outside. Glue and tack with wire nails and 4 sand to fit. Rubberized bands and cup hooks hold the locomotive or car firmly in place during transport [Photo 4]. The cup hooks should be placed in locations to support your particular engine or car. Bob found that crossing the bands over the

40 • O Scale Trains - July/Aug ’04 July/Aug ’04 - O Scale Trains • 41 Brake wheels and the latest news on Proto48 tion is quite good, even by HO standards. Now, all you need to do is start looking at prototype photos Slipping an Issue to make sure that you have the right wheel on the car. I had promised a second part to the rivet making discussion Latest News started in Issue #14. This will have to be delayed due to my We have a few items to mention in the new products area. non-hobby obligations. It will appear in the near future. An Overlooked Detail? All rolling stock has some sort of brake wheel or lever to permit train crews to manually apply the brakes. Did you ever notice that there are real differences in the design of prototype brake wheels? The most common vertical wheel installation is the Ajax brake wheel and gearbox. This design first appeared in the late 1920’s and continued to dominate as the principal design into the early 1950’s. There are other common types such as the Klasing, Miner, Universal, Equipco, We found a photo of the new San Juan Car Company gondola Superior, and Champion-Peacock, to name a few of the more kit, modeled as it appeared in the late 1950’s. The Southern common designs. Pacific added wood side extensions to the car to increase its I was prompted to do a quick survey of O Scale to see how cubic capacity. This permitted shippers to load more sugar many different prototype designs could be accounted for. I used beets or wood chips. This was true of the composite car (G-50- the latest issue of the Railway Prototype Cyclopedia (#10) as 23). The steel version, G-50-20, did not get extended sides, but my reference source, along with the 1940 Car Builder Cyclope- some other roads that owned similar cars did extend the sides dia. You can purchase the Railway Prototype Cyclopedia at for wood chip hauling. many hobby shops or directly from RPC (You can get more Pat Mitchell, of Clifton Backshop Services, 8122 Valley Run information at their website http://www.geocities.com/rpcyc/). Drive, Clifton, Va. 20124, has started a new service for those The results were surprising to me. who want to build a new Proto48 layout. The service entails the fabrication of a sub-roadbed made from 1/4” birch ply- Wheel Type Source Part Number wood, California Roadbed homasote strips, flexible urethane Ajax 14377 Grandt Line #160 tie strips and all standard turnouts. All you need to provide is Ajax 14377 Precision Scale PSH-4328/4329 (plastic) the original drawing, rail, spikes and ballast. Pat has been Champion 1148 Atlas/Roco freight cars N/A building a new large layout and has cut the construction time Equipco 3160 Intermountain Reefer provided with kit by two-thirds. The tie strips are made from urethane and have Equipco 3160 Precision Scale PSH-40299 tie plates and wood grain. Klasing D-959 Precision Scale PSH-40551 The material can easily be Miner D-3290 Intermountain Boxcar on parts sprue spiked, much like sugar Superior 566 Intermountain Boxcar on parts sprue pine. The tie plates are set up to take Code 125 and There may be others out there that I missed in my survey. I Code 138 Right O’ Way know that Custom Finishes (recently acquired by Des Plaines rail. The picture illustrates Hobbies) has several brake wheels that may fill in a few gaps. If the detail found on the you included what you can harvest from your leftover Inter- strips. Pat suggests that mountain parts and old Atlas boxcars, the brake wheel selec- you contact him for pric-

ing and production time. He is also interested in finding out if enough people want to buy the tie strips separately. The turnouts are available in #4, 5 & 6 frogs with #7, 8 & 10 coming this summer. From left to right, plastic PSC Ajax wheel, an old Clouser Ajax wheel, Atlas/Roco Champion 1148 wheel, Intermountain We received some samples of cast reefer kit Equipco 3160, PSC Klasing D-959, Intermountain Miner D-3290, and the Intermountain boxcar kit Superior 566. frogs from American Switch and Signal 42 • O Scale Trains - July/Aug ’04 Company. The castings are made from nickel silver and are very sharp. The patterns were made from Right O’ Way rail in Code 138 and Code 125. They are available in several frog angles and styles. The included picture shows both rail-bound and manganese insert styles in Code 125. RL Design (14123 206th St. S.E., Snohomish, WA 98296-3947) is preparing lettering sets for Southern Pacific automobile cars starting with the A-50-9 thru A-50-11 steel single sheathed cars and on to the AAR standard steel cars. I have included a photo of an SP A-50-9 to give you an idea of the type of car lettering that is in the works. He will follow this with lettering for AAR double-door 50’ cars later in the year. RL Design decal sets range from $10 to $11 per set with a $4 shipping charge. ◆ Reader Feedback

First Time At Big Meet More Internet Brouhaha doing business, same as advertising, and Just got back from the Midwest O When I first read the letter from Phil has to be dealt with accordingly.” Just Scale Meet for 2004 last week. This was Shuster in issue #12, my first reaction who do you think pays for your catalog? the first time I’ve been able to attend a was negative, but I waited to respond In order for a business to pay for the pro- big O Scale meet and this year’s Midwest expecting someone else like John Smith duction of a catalog, they must have an O Scale Meet was much more than even to defend his position. No one came for- income to cover that cost, which you get I had imagined. Mike Hill and all his vol- ward, so it seems I must. (It also took this to pay for, either up front for the catalog, unteers really deserve a lot of credit as much time to cool down). or in higher prices on the items you buy. they really made this a great show. First, Mr. Shuster, you don’t need a And in the case of the latter, it’s not just It was mind boggling to see so much computer to get access to the Internet. you who has to pay; we all get to con- O Scale model railroad equipment for Microsoft has been advertising Internet- tribute to the cost of “your catalog”. sale under one roof. One of the highlights television boxes for $99 for the past few Do you buy Microscale decals? Have for me was to be able to finally meet so months. You get a keyboard and an inter- you purchased one of their catalogs? many of the vendors that I have been connecting box that hooks to your TV. How quickly did it get out of date, or did doing business with over the years. In no Now you can go to all those sites that you update your copy each time one of particular order I really enjoyed meeting don’t issue catalogs and see what you’ve the model magazines printed a list of Tim LaGue (OLD PULLMAN), Scott have been missing. You can even view new decals that were not listed in “your Mann (SUNSET MODELS), Rich Yoder the Walther’s catalog and order direct, if catalog”? You could go out on the Inter- (RICH YODER MODELS), Danny Pope you want. You don’t have to drive to the net and see what is available. And, of (ALL NATION), John & Martha Keil (KEIL hobby shop and spend money on gas. course, everything listed in a catalog is LINE PRODUCTS), Pat Mucci (P&D Dell Computer has been advertising a available, right? No one would ever print HOBBY SHOP), Ted Schnepf (RAILS computer for $499, and I had the impres- a catalog with items that weren’t avail- UNLIMITED), Lenny & Rita Leer (R&L sion it came with a monitor. Another able. Also, the prices printed in “your MINIATURE MARKETPLACE) and of $50-$100 and you can have a printer. catalog” never change, so when you course Brian Scace (O SCALE TRAINS). Call it $600; not $1200 as you say. And order something, that’s what you send I would really like to extend my thanks as far as computer owners sitting on their the manufacturer. Of course, if they have to Ted Schnepf who opened up his home butts for hours at a time surfing the web had a price increase you won’t know layout which was a real joy for me to and chatting, how much time do you until they send your order back with a visit. You need to do a photo spread on spend watching TV or writing letters? For note to that effect. If you had Internet this layout as the last one done a few me, the computer is a tool that allows access, you could go to their web site years ago really doesn’t do it justice. This me to easily find information on many and check the current prices, and send is one impressive layout both in size, subjects which relate to my hobbies. the correct amount the first time. You track plan, almost unlimited operations Have you ever seen an article in a maga- might even be able to order the item potential, and some pretty well done zine that you’d like to get more informa- right then. scenery to boot. Thanks again Ted, I real- tion about? Maybe change the scale of a Just because “the hobby shop opera- ly enjoyed the visit. drawing, make your own signs and tors” you have talked to “complain that As far as OST goes, it’s as good as ever decals, keep track of your rolling stock? the Internet has hurt their sales” doesn’t and I’m glad to see you are starting to There are lots of uses for a computer if mean the Internet is bad. It just means pick up even more advertisers which is a you just keep your mind and eyes open. they can’t compete. Maybe if they good sign you’re doing something right. You say “I thought the cost of a cata- dropped their prices a little, had a better Pete Klick, Sequim, Washington log (both time and printing) was a cost of stock (you can’t sell from an empty July/Aug ’04 - O Scale Trains • 43 shelf), or offered something the Internet No doubt you’ve noticed that John and materials, wiring, power supplies, can’t, they might do better. I’ve gone into Smith is getting out of the hobby busi- etc. Actually, an additional more detailed many stores, not just hobby shops, look- ness, so you won’t have to worry about article (for subscription members only) ing for something, and first words out of how much “clout” he carries. And in 20 on your web site would be a great their mouths are “I can order it and have years, 90% of the U.S. will have Internet encouragement to purchase the maga- it in a couple of days.” Right! I used to access; there will still be that last 10% zine. I haven’t seen anybody tell the life work in a train store. We’d order on who don’t have telephones, TVs, indoor cycle of their layout in detail. It would be Monday. If you came in on Tuesday and plumbing, or computers without Internet very helpful and meaningful to be able ordered something we didn’t have access. to follow all that happens. You could (which was highly unlikely), we would- To Mr. Sunderland of East Gary Car expand upon this with others advice, n’t have it until a week from Friday, Company (Letters, OST#13): You com- why you chose this over that, etc. assuming the local distributor had it in plain you can’t make a living in O Scale. Thanks again for a wonderful maga- stock. If we had to order it from So where is your ad in O SCALE zine. Walther’s, it would take an extra week TRAINS? In fact, I looked in some of my Ed Piccoli Reader Feedback Reader Feedback (you know the mail). other model railroad magazines and [email protected] Have your local dealers thought couldn’t find an ad for your company. Joe G responds: Ed, some of what you about selling their products online? Most Now, I must admit, I seem to remember are looking for is included in our book of the shops I do business with have seeing an ad somewhere, but I don’t “A Guide To Modern O Scale”, some Internet sites. I may not buy from their remember what it is you make. And will be in future articles. The rest site, but I know what they carry and can since you don’t have a web site, I can’t depends on our readers contributing the check what’s in stock, or send them an go look at it and see if there is anything I material. As for my layout, I do intend to email, so they’ll have it when I stop in want. It’s no wonder you can’t make a include as much of the development and the next time. The Internet isn’t infallible. living In O Scale. construction process as I can. The truth is I ordered from a dealer who said they Bob Hayes (via email) I have the benchwork up and that’s all had an item in stock, and didn’t find out (Editors note: Current estimates say I’ve accomplished since January. I have, until the order arrived that they really 75% of the U.S. population has Internet however, been laying in supplies. I’m didn’t. Had I known, I could have access.) going to use AtlasO code 148 track on ordered that item from someone else. California Roadbed’s Homabed. Switch- Mr. Shuster writes: “The term ’snail Looking For Helpful Info es will be a mix of AtlasO and hand- mail’ also makes me bristle”. Well rela- I am a new subscriber looking for- built. I hope to have a twice-around loop tively speaking, the U.S. Mail is slow. Joe ward to my first issue (May), although I completed before the summer is over. [OST’s Editor] sends me an email saying purchased several back issues and Keep watching the magazine for news. the next issue of O SCALE TRAINS is in enjoyed them very much. I was a Lionel the mail, and three weeks later it still 3-Railer as a young boy and now many Geep Upgrade hasn’t arrived. I order electronic parts years later working in building an O There are a lot of Red Caboose GPs from a major distributor in the Midwest. I Scale (in the very early stage). The maga- out there and maybe a lot are unfinished. know what’s in stock, what the price is, zine is very informative, helpful, enlight- Mine is at least 8 or 9 years old when how much shipping is, when it will be ening and enjoyable. Karl Geffchen made a special run paint- shipped, and I get a tracking number At this stage of my planning the fol- ed for the Erie. Now I see the unpowered when it actually is shipped, so I’ll be lowing is very helpful: layout design kits offered at quite reasonable prices. home to receive it (I’m retired). And (would like to mix in a short line of On3 For those who are not aware, Clifton sometimes it is shipped by Priority Mail, with O Scale the primary), comparison Backshop makes a brass replacement if it weighs less than 8 oz. Over 8 oz., of track (suitable radius) and track bed floor/frame that is milled out of heavy and it’s cheaper to use FedEx or UPS. If (advantages of each type), types of bal- brass. I bought mine from Des Plains one distributor doesn’t have something last to be used (including size, color, Hobbies. It’s almost a straight forward in stock, I can order it elsewhere, and I etc.), more info on DCC (TMCC) with replacement for the plastic frame. don’t have to wait for the Post Office to sound, power supplies recommended, I also replaced the drive with a P&D deliver my order to them, wait for the (names), turnouts recommended, scenery set of trucks which are absolutely gor- Post Office to return the letter saying is always enjoyable (especially water), a geous. They look like they came from a they are out of the item, and then repeat specific article on new O Scale trains the whole process again with the next available (include picture if available, jewelry store. distributor. companies web site and possibly a The Clifton Backshop floor is milled Now maybe you like to write letters; I review - its difficult to hunt for all com- and drilled to take the original motor don’t. I can type much faster than I can panies with O Scale), wiring under the mount and truck mountings. It’s not that write, and everyone can read it. If I make table, web sites handling O Scale vehi- different for the P&D drive. The biggest a mistake, I don’t need a bottle of White- cles-trucks-people. item is the coupler mount that needs to Out or an ink eraser. I just back space One thing I would really like to see is be cut from the original floor and and try again. And I really don’t like a continuation of your article on the thinned until a 2-56 screw fits through spending 37 cents each time I send a let- building of your layout. It would be nice the coupler box. The piece cut from the ter. Yes, I know, 37 cents is a lot cheaper to track a layout from beginning to end. old frame holds the whole mess together. than $600 for a computer or $99 for a set Please give us more detail about how It ends up ready to take the super- top Internet box, but I don’t expect to be you are doing something, advantages structure as a very substantial assembly around in 50 years, so I don’t want to and disadvantages of your selections, and adds the weight of the brass to the waste a lot of time writing letters. track and bed selection, frame design finished locomotive.

44 • O Scale Trains - July/Aug ’04 Bob Garrelts, Tarpon Springs, Florida back of the cylinder to the AB valve (where it is lightly glued). Update on Lionel O Scale milk car Jace Kahn (mostly Fairbanks, Alaska) by email I have had a few derailments of the Lionel Milk Reefers after converting them What in the World? for 2-Rail operation per the article I co- Dear Sir, authored in O Scale Trains #7. I found Enclosed is a photo of some sort of M.O.W. that the buffer springs were too stiff. I unit. The back end folds down and trails 10 replaced them with Kadee coupler yards in the back of it. Can you tell me, please, springs, the small ones. Presto... no more what this M.O.W. unit is? derailments. I enjoy your magazine The best way to get to these buffer Marvin G. Weber springs is with the roof removed. 754 Winn Road Straighten out the two round tangs on Mooresboro, NC 28114-8228 the buffer plate with a long thin pair of needle nose pliers or similar tool so the Anybody know what this is? Write Marv. ◆ buffer can be removed to replace the springs. After replacing the springs, insert buffer and bend the end of each tang slightly to retain the buffer plate in it’s mount. Dick Bregler (via email)

50 Mile Trek I modeled in HO Scale for a little over 30 years and then turned 50 years old. My eyesight went and I had to switch to the bi-focal gauge. I attended a train show and obtained a copy of your book “A Guide to Modem O Scale” and read it twice the same night. I wish I’d had it in the very beginning; it would have saved me quite a bit of work on my present layout. I didn’t allow enough room for curves and ended up moving a wall in my basement four feet and tearing out a bunch of track. Live and learn. I read in the back of the book that M & S Trains in Columbus, Ohio, carried O Scale Trains Magazine, a publication devoted entirely to O Scale. I drove over 50 miles to obtain the March/April issue. It was terrific and I’ve enclosed a check for a subscription! Please keep up the great work and keep showing the proper way to model in O Scale. Phillip Rowe, Marysville, Ohio

Weaver Gon Addendum Since I wrote my review of the Weaver gondola in OST#14, I managed to buy another one, red this time. I thought I might mention that the under- frames (including the brake gear) for all cars should be black. Particular modelers may want to unscrew the cast under- frame and repaint it to match a non- black car. It is not difficult, but one does need to pry the brake gear carefully from the underside after unscrewing the center sill and cross-member casting, paying attention to the airline that leads from the

July/Aug ’04 - O Scale Trains • 45 ProductProduct NewsNews && ReviewsReviews

NEWS: Des Plaines Hobbies REVIEW: MagnaForce MF615 AC Power Supply 1468 Lee Street DCC Specialties.com Des Plaines, IL 60018 210 E Front St 847-297-2118, www.desplaineshobbies.com Traverse City MI 49384 Des Plaines Hobbies is pleased to announce, effective April 800-671-0641, www.dccspecialties.com 11, 2004, the purchase of Bob Rsaza’s Custom Finishing O Scale reviewed by Ted Byrne parts line. Bob will be keeping his HO line and name, and the O The companies that sell DCC systems typically note that their Scale line will now be sold under Des Plaines Hobbies’ new O products require an input of 12-18 volts AC. Sometimes, in the Scale America line. Part numbers will not be changed, only the fine print, they offer to sell a transformer to provide this power. name and location. Because of the move from Massachusetts to Modelers often cobble together a power source using a trans- Des Plaines, it will be a couple of months before parts supplies former from an electronics supplier plus other odds and ends. It is are replenished. fastened to a scrap of plywood Time permitting, parts formerly sold under the Des Plaines with only a few layers of electri- Hobbies O Scale label will be added to the newly launched O cian’s tape between 110 volts Scale America line. and the unwary. It’s a safety hazard, a fire hazard and a discredit NEWS: Underground Railway Press to the model layout. 216 S. Broad St., PMB 4 05 Now DCC Specialties has Brevard, NC 28712-3702. provided another solution. Their The Underground MagnaForce MF615 is a 15 volt, Railway Press has 6 ampere AC transformer in a durable and safe, ventilated box released the third series with an illuminated on/off switch, a grounded power cord and of Quik-Signs™ which plug, and a heavy duty output cable to connect to the DCC con- are multiscale, full-color troller. A thermal overload cutout protects the output. This is the paper fence and struc- best type of protection as it allows a brief overload but protects ture signs. The signs are: from a short circuit or prolonged overload. Six amperes is suffi- URP-735, Chewing & cient for many smaller O-scale layouts, or for each power district Smoking; URP-736, of larger layouts. Fruit & Vegetables, Set The unit sells for $44.95, which compares favorably with the No. 3; URP-737, Beer & cost and aggravation of doing it yourself. The included instructions Booze; URP-738, Soft- tell how to connect to Digitrax, Lenz and NCE but other DCC con- drinks, Set No. 3; URP-739, 1900-1905 Era, Set No. 2; URP-740, nections should also be simple. WWI Era, Set No. 2. The sets are $4 each, available direct or at More information on the MF615 and several other DCC support your hobby dealer. On direct orders, add $2.50 p&h and sales products can be found on their website, or contact them by phone, tax if appropriate. For a complete list of of all 26 sets, send an fax at 231-947-1411, or by e-mail. SSAE.

REVIEW: Precision Products Vacuformed Styrene Sheet Applied Imagination International, Inc. 763 Cayuga Street, Unit #2 Lewiston, NY, 14092 716-754-2997, www.appliedimaginationinc.com reviewed by Brian Scace While attending a Large Scale meet, I ran into a gent by the name of John Hutt. John, under the name of Precision Products, has been making vacuum formed styrene sheets of important things like brick, wood flooring, stone block, and the like, in six different scales. For all of us who have been scrambling about every time someone wants to peddle a couple sheets of old H&R brick, this is great news. Here’s what John has: For $8 a sheet, you get 15" x 15" (usable) of .025" styrene crisply vacuum formed into such useful things as 6" lap siding, 9" wood flooring, brick, or that stone block that the PRR used for just about every retaining wall and bridge abutment they ever built. John is 1 working on masters for other things in ⁄4" scale, such as corrugated metal roofing, and expresses the desire to expand the O Scale line with such things as Spanish tile roofing, and clear vacuum formed window assemblies and trim details. Also in his line is a foam core material, used to make the basic building shape. This stuff is a little different, too. Instead of paper skins, such as the artist’s stuff we use now, this material has a white styrene skin over a high-density expanded polystyrene core. The foam core material is 5mm thick, and you get six sheets of 16" square material for $15. While you’re at it, John has the proper glue to laminate the vacuum formed sheet to your foam core shell. I would suggest that you get his master catalogue (for $2) first, because there are many other sheets made for other scales that would be useful in O, with a little care and imagination. Looks like Scace is back in the structure building mode. How about you? 1 Currently available specifically for ⁄4" scale are: SKU#14001 New Brick SKU#16006 Small Stone Block SKU#14006 Medium Stone Block SKU#14008 6" Lap Siding SKU#14010 12" Lap Siding SKU#14016 9" Wood Flooring SKU#14017 12" Wood Flooring SKU#14018 Flagstone Paving SKU#14028 Gravel Roof SKU#14057 Medium Stone Block Corners In the works are: two more sizes of lap siding; 12" board and batten siding; six different roofing styles, such as fishscale, corrugated metal, Spanish tile (for you Santa Fe types!), asphalt shingle, slate, and wood shake; two sizes of tin ribbed roofing; detail sheets of windows and doors, which can be had in either white or clear styrene; and tunnel portal and bridge material.

46 • O Scale Trains - July/Aug ’04 ProductProduct NewsNews && ReviewsReviews REVIEW: MRC’s “Power-G” Controller My only real beef with this thing is the handle. It is a slip fit, not Model Rectifier Corporation nearly the solid bomb-shelter feel of the rest of the unit, with the irri- 80 Newfield Ave Edison NJ 08837 tating tendency to lift off during my probably over-enthusiastic throt- www.modelrectifier.com tle-fanning. MRC says to slip a piece of tape around the shaft; a better solution is to make a new handle or replace the current one $224.98 MSRP with a big ol’ knob, either one having a set screw to lock it in place reviewed by Brian Scace on the shaft. Perhaps MRC will re-engineer the current one with As most of you loyal readers may have gathered by now, Scace something more in line with the robustness of the rest of the unit. is a proponent of the idea that the “Large Scale” folks have certain On the plus side, you asked for it, and MRC has offered a fine products useful for us, especially some pretty high-horsepower high-horsepower piece of gear for the conventionally wired layout. throttles. Several letters written to our august journal have voiced a The reversing switch is not some lightweight slide switch, but a desire for a simple high-capacity power supply that is ready to hook good beefy toggle. All of the indicator lights are big “in-your-face” up and use. MRC has recently brought such a power supply to mar- bulbs that will light up the room. The overall design goal can be ket, under the name of “Power-G”, and we’ll have a look at it. characterized as robustness rather than finesse, though it smoothly The Power-G is a hefty 10 amp capacity critter, attractively cased made light work of two old USH Hudsons, with open-frame motors, featuring a fist sized handle, making it strangely reminiscent of the and a string of lighted Joe Fischer passenger cars, which is, of old Lionel KW of my youth. It features two DC outputs, one variable course, where the and one fixed. The obvious thing to do was to carry the poor critter value really is. This is off to the nether regions to suffer the tender mercies of the Scace one of the few mod- Boys (Your’s truly and his father, Robert) in the Dungeon of Electri- ern-made power sup- cal Testing Gear. Using a Fluke true RMS digital multimeter and a plies for those of us Tektronix oscilloscope, here’s what we found: who revel in the • With no load, the fixed output was 23 volts DC, with a 9.0 V sound of our heavy rms ripple (about 25 V peak-to-peak). older gear on our tra- • With no load, the variable output was 0.3-22 V DC, 8.7 V rms ditional cab-control ripple (also about 25V peak-to-peak) railroads. It’s a • With a 2.0 Ohm load, the variable output was 0.3-16 V, with a Checker, not a Cadil- 7.3 V rms ripple. lac. • We didn’t have any low-value high-power resistors to test the By the way, here’s overloading circuitry, but the supply happily went about its thing at an important foot- 8 amps with what we did have. note. Not too long What this all means is that this is a simple, maybe even delight- ago, I found my oldest MRC Controlmaster 20 supply (another MRC fully archaic, gutsy power supply. It also means this is an unfiltered product worth considering for O Scale) not performing up to the supply, using full wave rectifiers (one each on the fixed and variable same level as the other, albeit newer, versions I own. I gave them a circuits). You should be aware of this, if you intend to use any add- shout and (without saying that I work at OST) sent it back for their on control components. As an example, many of the Radio Control kind attentions. Now, realize that this thing is probably ten years old systems out there, such as Locolink, have a requirement for filtered and has been in use for that period of time horsing brass around. DC, which this supply does not provide. You’ll want to check the They gave it a good look-see, and determined that it was performing instructions that come with any add-on control systems before up to standards (the newer ones are just a little stronger) and hooking them up to this unit. Also, for you DCC guys and gals, there returned it at no charge. This tells me several things. They could is no AC output available, which limits the utility of this unit as a have found “something wrong” or just arbitrarily changed out all the power supply for DCC equipped railroads. Perhaps the good folks guts and charged accordingly, but they didn’t. They could have said at MRC would consider a “Power-O” version, whose only differ- it was too old and not their responsibility, but they didn’t. Instead, ence would the substitution of an AC fixed output for the DC one, they cheerfully looked at it, tested it, shot me a straight line, and to permit use as a potent DCC power supply. Those who want fixed returned it (even covering the return shipping) promptly. Consider DC to drive switch motors could pick the “Power-G”, and those this when considering price vs. value. using DCC would pick the version with a fixed AC output.

Review: New York Central L3b Mohawk opening turret covers to satisfy the lid-flippers among us, and the Sunset Models detail castings are up to today’s standards. Purists may quibble 37 S Fourth St with the gold lettering, rather than silver or white, on the number Campbell CA 95008 plate. That minor detail can be easily dealt with, if it bugs you. 408-866-1727, www.3rdrail.com Rather than worrying about that, there is much more here to like reviewed by Brian Scace as the locomotive and tender lettering is crisp and (finally!) in the correct font. Sunset has just added a new Mohawk to their New York Central Also vastly improved are the tender drawbar and electrical con- stable. For those of you who may not know, the NYC rostered the nections. The plate between the tender and locomotive flops down most 4-8-2 locomotives in the US. Somehow, the generally accept- nicely between the two, right where it should be. The connections ed term “Mountain” just didn’t work on the Central, known for plug together easily and tuck up into the tender very unobtrusively, being “The Water Level Route”, so Mohawks they were. a great improvement over my B&M Berk, for example. Sunset chose the Lima-built L3b as the prototype of this model. The drivers and valve gear are well executed. Even the oiler link- The L3b came in a couple of varieties, and this is the version with an age is there and functional. The Lima engines in this subclass were inset Elesco feedwater heater, rather than the Alco-built Worthington delivered with either Boxpok or Union web-spoke drivers. On the heater. After unpacking the model, here’s what I saw. model, the main driver is a Union, while the other three axles are The fit and finish continues to improve on Sunset’s latest offer- Boxpok, an interesting variation. I would suggest that future offerings ings, and this engine is no exception. The paint is smoothly with mixed drivers include a replacement main, for those who applied, lettering straight, and assembly appears tight. There is a would want to backdate the model into the much more common nicely detailed backhead present, enough sliding roof vents and appearance of matched driver sets. (continued on page 48) July/Aug ’04 - O Scale Trains • 47 If I have any gripes with the visual impact of this model, it’s the the heated feedwater was injected into the fireman’s side of the boil- trailing truck. The relief is shallow, certainly not up to the detail level er. As modified, on Hudsons as well as Mohawks, the feedwater was of the rest of the model. I would guess that this really is a manufac- injected into the top of the boiler. This change also ended up in turability issue, however. A lost wax casting of a Delta trailer would major visual surgery, because the sand-dome had to be shoved back have better relief, but a coined trailer is much easier to assemble to make room for the top mounted feedwater supply. Again, our L3b and more robust. Although coining has its limitations, it is a good choice if “running- out-of-the-box” and affordability are your product hallmarks. The model captures the “whippet” look of the late Mohawks, something that is very difficult to do. These were not large locomotives compared to, say, the B&M R1. I really do like the overall proportions of Sunset’s model. Appearance-wise, I believe this to be the best Mohawk out there. Elephant ears are included, with the appropriate mounting screws. Also included is a bag of spare metric screws and other hardware, a useful stash in our non- metric world here in the States. Meanwhile, I submitted the L3b to my rigorous and totally subjective tests. My railroad has 54" minimum has this mod- radii on the main, and two percent grades. Placing the locomotive at ification cor- the head of a rather heavy mail train (15 heavyweight cars), I rectly cracked the throttle. Off she marched elegantly through my less than modeled. ideal trackwork, looking for the all the world like a locomotive I just Mixed spent a couple weeks of evenings tuning. The running characteris- drivers on tics of my L3b, out of the box, were flawless. How far we’ve come! the L3b are a The result is a very nice model. It runs straight out of the box, has hallmark of plenty of eye candy, good proportions, all for less than $1100 retail. the mid-50’s, Notes for the Neurotic late in the life Most of you can stop reading this review at this point, and make of these your choices with confidence. I’ve included a couple of notes about engines. In dates and configurations for the NYC neurotics among us, mostly the late 40’s because Sunset chose (laudably, too, I might add) to model this and early 50’s, mixing drivers was extremely uncommon on the Cen- locomotive in a “in-service” configuration rather than as-built from tral. In the mid-50’s, however, the now-Diesel minded NYC was not Lima. If dates concern you, here are some notes. about to buy new driver sets, when a serviceable axle could be After WWII, NYC made several modifications to existing late snagged from another Mohawk in the dead-line. Mohawks and Hudsons. The most obvious and famous was the Also in the mid-50’s, boosters were considered expendable, and application of smoke deflectors on the L3 and L4s. Part of that exer- were usually not maintained. Our L3b is modeled without booster cise was to replace the individual air pump shields (as built) with a piping, although the booster engine is along for the ride. one-piece shield across the pilot deck. Because this L3b has that All of this leads those of us who care to the conclusion that Sun- modification, the neurotic will be bound to put the removable set’s L3b dates firmly in the 1954-56 transition era, comfortably co- smoke deflectors on. existing with all those lightening-striped Diesels that most Central Less well known was the change in feedwater piping. As built, types dearly love.

NEWS: Weaver Models PO Box 231 Northumberland, PA 17857 570-473-9434, www.weavermodels.com Weaver has announced an AC-2 covered hopper. It will be offered in eight different paint schemes: Chesapeake & Ohio, Western Maryland, Boston & Maine, Lackawanna, Pennsylvania Addi- Railroad, Southern Pacific, Union Pacific, and Norfolk & Western, tional plus undecorated. The hopper will be offered in 2-Rail and 3-Rail details and with plastic trucks & couplers ($35.95), as well as 2-Rail and 3- pictures Rail with die cast trucks and couplers ($45.95). By the way, this car may be is made in the USA. An early summer '04 arrival is anticipated. found at: Weaver has also announced seven new liveries for their Pull- [http://www.weavermodels.com/page22.html] man-Bradley Deluxe Coaches: Grand Trunk Western, Canadian And last, but not least, Weaver has released its Fall 2004 cata- National, Kansas City Southern, New Haven (Original McGinnis), log. You can obtain your own copy by sending US$3.00 for U.S., Union Pacific (gray), Chesapeake & Ohio, as well as St. Louis US$5.00 for Canada, and US$7.00 for overseas to the Weaver Southwestern. These coaches will be offered in 2-Rail and 3-Rail. address above. A two coach set retails for $229 and a four coach set retails for $449. Again, an early summer '04 arrival is anticipated.

48 • O Scale Trains - July/Aug ’04 CHICAGOLANDS O GAUGE SPECI THE CLASSIC ARTICULATED RETURNS! byby SUNSETSUNSET 3RD3RD RAILRAIL COMING SUMMER 2004! “O” GAUGE BRASS PCC IN-STOCK! NORTH SHORE GREEN HORNET CSL Chicago PCC production model will also $ 95 ELECTROLINER be available with the Kenosha, WI. paint scheme. 54 55027 Chicago PCC • 55028 Kenosha PCC Reg. $68.00 AVAILABLE IN 2 RAIL & 3 RAIL Q CAR TRUCKS $105.00 INSTALLATION AVAILABLE CALL FOR PRICE! TAKING ORDERS! •POWERED •ALL BRASS GREYHOUND LIMITED PRODUCTION RUN! •PAINTED (LATER YEARS SCHEME) SCENICRUISER •FULL INTERIOR $ 95 Reg. IN-STOCK! 59 54405 $76.00 PRICE -TBA • $100 DEPOSIT REQUIRED •SOUND(3 RAIL ONLY - TMCC) AS ALWAYS, WE CARRY FINISHING KITS, PARTS, DECALS, POWER AND POLES FOR THE MODELS WE OFFER. ALSO AVAILABLE IN THE RED ARROW LINE WE BUY BOOK AND MODEL COLLECTIONS. CALL US. “LIBERTY HALL” & “VALLEY FORGE” WE DISCOUNT ALL NEW PRODUCT RELEASES FROM: •K-LINE •WEAVER •SUNSET •LIONEL •ATLAS •ATHEARN •MTH •KADEE® •RED CABOOSE •PECOS RIVER •WALTHERS •BACHMANN •INTERMOUNTAIN CALL FOR SPECIAL PRICES!

Gift Certificates Available WE CARRY NEW AND USED TRAINS U.P.S. Shipping Available WE BUY AND SELL TRAINS 6017 Northwest Hwy. Chicago, Il. 60631 773•775•4848 Fax 773•775•6398 HOBBY INC. Mon - Thur 11-7, Fri 11-8:30, Sat 10-5, Sun 12-4:30, Closed Sundays May, June, July, August & Sept. Just 15 Min. from O'Hare Airport Visit our web site: www. chicagoland-hobby.com e-mail: [email protected] 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 NEW SERVICE: We can now offer custom painting, finishing and repair. WSM NYC J1e 4-6-4, N/P, OB ...... $1650.00 Call, fax, or email for details. USH B&O 040, N/P, OB ...... $525.00 SS N&W J 4-8-4 Rebuilt w/Sound, C/P, OB ...... $1,500.00 WSM PRR Q2, 4-4-6-4, N/P, OB, ...... $2,200.00 WSM PRR M1/K4 Tender Only, C/P ...... $295.00 WSM PRR J1a, 2-10-4, C/P, OB ...... $1,950.00 OM PRR E8a, C/P Single Stripe, OB, late run ...... $995.00 WSM PRR M1, 4-8-2, Kleinscmidt Dr, C/P, NOB ...... $1,750.00 Gem PRR, B6sb 0-6-0, N/P, OB, Ex ...... $575.00 USH PRR K4, 4-6-2, Kleinschmidt Dr, C/P, OB ...... $1,695.00 OM CSX SD70M #700, F/P, OB, LN ...... $1,775.00 SS ATSF 2-10-4, F/P, New ...... $1,295.00 OM American Hoist Ditcher , LN, N/P, OB ...... $495.00 MG PRR 2-10-2, L/N, N/P, OB ...... $1,875.00 Custom Built PRR GG1, Ptd Green, 5-Stripe ...... $575.00 USH C&O 2-8-4, C/P, Runs good, OB ...... $1,375.00 OL GN 2-D-2 #5001/5002 Set, C/P ...... $2,495.00 MG NYC J1e, 4-6-4, Nice, N/P, NOB ...... $1,375.00 GHB Brill Model 250, C/P PRR, OB ...... $649.00 MG NYC J3a, 4-6-4, Nice, N/P, OB ...... $1,375.00 OM #0011 UP Ca-11 Caboose, N/P, LN, OB ...... $295.00 MG N&W Y6b, 2-8-8-2, Can Motor,N/P,OB ...... $1,875.00 PSC#15665 PRR Queen Mary Business Car, C/P, OB ...... $525.00 OM PRR M1b, 4-8-2, F/P, LN, OB ...... $1,975.00 PL#300 PRR R-7 Reefer, C/P ...... $295.00 USH NYC L4b, C/P, Kleinscmidt Dr, OB ...... $2,195.00 Priester C.Built Morrell Reefers ...... each $159.00 MG B&O 2-8-8-4, C/P, NOB ...... $2,450.00 MG #120 TT Flats, C/P PRR w/USH RB Tks(25 available) ...... each $129.00 USH PRR L1, 2-8-2, C/P, OB ...... $1,200.00 PRB 60' Greenville Boxcars, Various Roads ...... each $300.00 SS NKP 4-8-2, “Water Buffalo”, F/P, LN, OB ...... $875.00 PRB 62' PC&F Boxcars, Various Roads ...... each $300.00 USH PRR K4 4-6-2, Late Run, C/P, OB ...... $1,250.00 MG PRR N8 Caboose, N/P, NOB ...... $250.00 MG PRR E6 4-4-2, C/P, NOB ...... $1,175.00 PSC PRR Stock Car, N/P, OB ...... $250.00 MG SP MT4 w/Icken Gears, C/P ...... $1,895.00 OM#0752 NP Caboose, C/P ...... $375.00 USH NYC H10, 2-8-2, Mint, N/P, OB ...... $1,475.00 Alco PRR N6a, C/P or N/P ...... each $225.00 OM NP A5 4-8-4, C/P, Mint ...... $3,895.00 CB PRR N8 Caboose, N/P, OB ...... $295.00 USH NKP 2-8-4, C/P, w/Special box, mint ...... $1350.00 PRB 50' Boxcars SD, End Door & DD Kits, Undec ...... $37.50 CB PRR Gas Electric, Klienschmidt, C/P, OB ...... $995.00 PRB 50' Boxcars, Built, DD, End Door, SD, C&O/B&O/PM/WM ...... $47.50 WSM PRR M1/K4 Tender Only, C/P ...... $295.00 (UP & ATSF End Door/ CB&Q & Erie S.Door)

LSASE for Complete List Estates⁄Liquidations Layaway Available Shipping 6% - $6.00 Min., $12.00 Max Collection Reductions Ohio Residents Add 6.75% Sales Tax July/Aug ’04 - O Scale Trains • 49 BUILDING RERAILERS Ted Byrne

One aspect of railroading that a model The drawing shows the top and side The inner platform must be high railroad enthusiast does not want to copy view of the design of the re-railer. There enough to catch the wheel but not so is derailments, but they happen anyway. are two essential parts. As a car goes high that it catches coupler gladhands or So, I want to talk about re-railers. through the re-railer, a sloping hard sur- whatever else may be hanging low. I 3 This relates to Digital Control (sort of) face outside the rails causes the outside made mine about ⁄16” thick. It must be because derailed wheels often cause wheel to rise up so that its flange is level narrower than the rail spacing to allow sparks that interfere with the digital sig- with the top of the rail. This ramp must wheel flanges to pass through smoothly. I 1 nals, or can cause short circuits that trip butt up tightly against the outside of the left a ⁄8” gap on each side of the platform circuit breakers or blow fuses. Nobody rail so that the wheel flange cannot slip for this purpose. Strictly speaking, some wants a derailment, and besides, a re-rail- down between them. material should be put into this gap to er makes it so easy to put cars on the Simultaneously a pointed platform raise the wheel flange up to where the track, just by rolling them back and forth, between the rails catches the inside wheel tread is level with the rail, but I that you will kick yourself for not always wheel and moves it over, guiding it onto found this was not necessary. The pointed having them. the railhead, while the outside wheel is edge should be smooth to encourage the When I modeled in HO, I always had sliding over its rail and dropping onto it. wheel to move over rather than climbing several re-railers on my layout and they This inner surface must be spaced from onto it. were easy to purchase. But I don’t see the rails enough to allow flanges to run I made both inner platforms and outer them very often on O Scale layouts and normally through the gaps. ramps out of basswood, but a styrene sur- they are not readily available in O Scale. Of course, the outside ramps need to face would make them smoother and Atlas Model Railroad Co. shows several in be on both sides of the track since the more durable. Another option for the their HO/N track catalog, and, in fact, wheels could be off on either side, and center is to use two short sections of rail. includes one in their starter kit. But Atlas- the entire re-railer needs to work in either They just go a flange-width inside of the O, which shares the same front door as direction since the car could be moving main rails, like guard rails, with their ends the “other” Atlas, does not offer one for in either direction. bent toward the center so they will pick either O gauge or O Scale. That provoked The lengths are shown in the figure up the errant wheel. me into building my own, since it is so and might be considered minimums. It is There are some obvious ways to dis- simple. critical that the total inner platform length guise a re-railer: as a grade crossing, as a Flaws in the rolling stock, such as tight is no longer than the level part of the bridge, or as a station platform. A grade or out-of-tolerance trucks, or tight or outer ramps (the length without the end crossing has a surface that comes up to wrong-height couplers, often cause model ramps). That way, the inner platform the top of the rail both outside the rails railroad derailments. Derailments can also doesn’t start moving the inner wheel over and between them, so the re-railer can be caused by the trackage, such things as until the outer wheel flange is high just be extended onto a roadway. A too-sharp turns, out-of-gauge rails, uneven enough to roll over its rail. A longer outer bridge has guard rails between the main roadbed, or picked turnout points. These platform also raises the car before the rails and often has a walkway outside the defects need to be considered, but they coupler gladhand can bump into the rails. A pair of bridge sides makes the re- are a topic for another time. inner platform. railer look like a bridge. A re-railer, per- A derailment happens, or at least starts, The heights are critical, but I can’t tell haps somewhat lengthened, makes a when one wheel or one set of wheels you what they are. The outer ramps must perfect station platform. comes off of the rails. Typically the wheels be just as high as the rail top, whatever Remember Murphy’s law: The derail- on one side are off of the rail and bump- rail height you use. Also, you can’t just ment will happen at the most inconven- ing along on the outside of the ties, while fasten them to the ties without making ient place on the layout, so put the first the wheels on the other side are between allowances for the foot of the rail, the re-railer there. ◆ the rails, bumping along on the same ties. spikes, and possibly rail joiners that may From there it only gets worse. be in the way.

50 • O Scale Trains - July/Aug ’04 T-BONE MODELS O Scale NORM’S Realty O SCALE Realistic Weathered Trains & More “O” Scale Structures in CUSTOM PAINTING & REPAIR O Scale Buy, Sell, Trade! Dealer for Pacific Limited Scratchbuilt Sunset & Weaver From Your www.normsoscale.com Photos, T-Bone Models James Christensen Plans or [email protected] 32264 Cleveland Cottage Grove, OR 97424-9381 Ideas! 41 Roosevelt Trail, Route email [email protected] (Will also build & weather your kits) Reed Artim 302. S. Casco, ME 04077 541-942-5237 Ph: 973-472-7456 Send SASE for information 75 Woodridge Rd, Clifton NJ 07012 Ph: 207-655-2550

Fine Quality O Scale Brass Models prototype photo RY Models Baldwin S8, S10 & S12 All brass construction featuring dual richyodermodels.com verticle motors, fly wheels, cab interior, directional lighting and Kadee ® Couplers. Instock Models GE 45 tonner All Models (except SP washer/dryer C&O Wood Caboose verson) Retail Price: $449. USRA Gondolas PRR H21a

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July/Aug ’04 - O Scale Trains • 51 NarrowNarrow I was very pleased when our first O Scale Trains Narrow Minded Digital Photo MindedMinded Contest attracted 26 entries from four BobberBobber GibbsGibbs countries and I am pleased to announce that the winners are:

1. Allen Littlefield, New York, USA - “Work Orders”. Allen chose the On30 Shay donated by Bachmann Trains.

2. Bob Boudreau, New Brunswick, Canada - “Swamp Train”. Bob won On30 donated by Broadway Limited.

52 • O Scale Trains - July/Aug ’04 3. Les Davis, VA USA - “Rustbucket Bridge”. Les won the the Rich Yoder brass GE 45T On3 diesel.

4. Jerry Carson, CO USA - “Hardware Warehouse”. Jerry won the Display Case donated by Harold Storm.

5. Kevin Crosado, NZ - “On the Log Train”. Kevin won the Schomberg Scale Models Red’s Tools structure.

Photo judging is a subjective thing but my criteria were: compliance with contest rules, composition and story, focus and depth of field, lighting & shad- ow, background, color and glare. Less important was modeling, detailing and weathering. In future issues, I will feature second, third, fourth and fifth place photos in successive columns. Many thanks to Rich Yoder, Bachmann Trains, Broadway Limited, Harold Storm and Schomberg Scale Models for their significant donations. Next year, I hope the contest will be expanded to include standard gauge and traction along with narrow gauge. Happy Trains to you until we meet again. Check out the following O Scale mailing lists on the internet: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Otrains/ http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Proto48/ http://groups.yahoo.com/group/On30conspiracy/ http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Omule/ http://groups.yahoo.com/group/On3/ ◆

July/Aug ’04 - O Scale Trains • 53 Track: the Final Frontier to carry the trains in a smooth and small section at a time. Step back as All model railroads have it, but it is safe manner. you work. Look at what you have often the single most neglected part of Next are the ties. I like to paint done. Evaluate. Proceed. the layout. Whether Hirail or scale, them a flat black to represent cre- An advanced look can be railroaders often spend lots of time osote. Be careful not to get this paint achieved by ballasting the roadbed with planning and design. Then, they on the rails. Try dribbling oily black and roadbed sides first. Then re-bal- spend lots of money on locomotives over some of the ties to give some last just the tracks to give the freshly and rolling stock. Their next focus is variation. Again, try to observe some ballasted look. Prototype railroads fre- on the operational aspects and scenic real railroad track. Some blotches of quently apply ballast to maintain their details. That leaves the track for last. If rust, brown, and grey will help. Be tracks. You can even use a slightly a model train layout can be com- creative. contrasting color, but it is best to stay pared to a musical masterpiece, One of the most important parts of away from white. It tends to draw the underdetailed track will stick out like the process is spreading the ballast. eye and will stick out and spoil the a sour note in a symphony. If you are Choose the materials carefully. Avoid effect. reading this article, chances are you ground foam and kitty litter (Cats are Once everything is applied, step have already graduated from Carpet naturally curious about the trains. You back and take a good look. Does it Central (operating on the floor) and don’t need the litter acting as a cat look real? Get a second opinion. If Yuletide Junction (seasonal running magnet.). Acquire some coarse sand your railroad doesn’t have a Harvey around the tree). This column is or make your own ballast from roof- Girl handy, ask the lady of the house. meant for those who operate a per- ing granules available from specialty Ask some friends. You have been manent layout with attached track. hardware stores. Commercial ballast working too close to the project. They With a little advanced planning, is also available from your local will give an honest unbiased opinion. detailing track can add significantly to hobby shop and will work fine. Listen to their suggestions. the layout’s realistic appeal. At your Whatever you do, don’t skimp! The One of the great things about track next opportunity observe some real end result will be worth your expense detailing is that everyone can work railroad track. Rail sides are not clean many times over. Spread the ballast on ballast and track. Most layouts can and shiny. They may start out that out carefully. Let the tops of the ties use some “sprucing up” when it way, but don’t stay that way for long. show. Don’t make things too uniform. comes to these very noticeable parts The elements and natural wear and Give it some variation: some places of the overall scene. Remember to tear take their toll. can be thicker or wider —just like on work small sections at a time. As you Start with the outside rails—they a real railroad track. Make final complete areas, you will realize what are the ones that are most important adjustments with a small brush. a difference it makes. (Most Hirailers don’t seem to notice Apply “wet” water (water with a Congratulations! You have just that middle rail anyway!). Try painting drop of dish detergent) by dripping it made your HiRail layout a little more them a rusty rail brown. You will be on the ballast. Then dribble a 50/50 detailed. It looks great and somehow amazed at how much more realistic mix of white glue and water to hold the trains seem to run better on that the rails look. After you are satisfied everything in place. There are many realistic looking track. Details do with the painting, clean the top of the ways to do this last part. I suggest the make the difference. This added rails. A good track eraser works best. easiest, but experiment until you find detail allows you to move a little clos- This ensures good electrical contact. something that works best for you. er to scale! After all, track must not only look Remember, there is no right or wrong Stay on track, more exciting infor- good, it has to serve its main purpose, in model railroading. Work with a mation is just ahead. ◆

54 • O Scale Trains - July/Aug ’04 A Weaver GP38 repainted by Pete using Champ Penn Central decals. The geep is in Northumberland, drilling the yard. The Diesel is equipped with DCC decoders with EMD sound.

July/Aug ’04 - O Scale Trains • 55 Photos are available Whitehall Hobbies on request. Specializing in Brass Locomotives ————————— Ask about new unlisted 1431 Windrush Circle, Blacklick, Ohio 43004 items. We carry nearly Voice: (614) 861-0018 - Fax: (614) 861-3034 every imported brass [email protected] line.

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Send your photos to OST Modeler’s Shelf. See your models in print! Send photos by postal mail or email and we will put them in the magazine for everyone to enjoy. If you don’t want to end up seeing our publisher’s N&W collection, send something today!

56 • O Scale Trains - July/Aug ’04 In my first column I mentioned the ently did the first ten volumes. It seems was so tight and discretionary income did- importance of paper items in trying to sort that Al Kalmbach acquired it around that n’t exist for many folk, but, just as today, out what our scale’s past has been, particu- time, after which it was published in Mil- dedicated hobbyists will find a bit for larly the periodicals expressly aimed at it. waukee until 1940 with the same editorial something that takes their minds off of their This time I’d like to start a discussion of staff as MR. I am not clear on what hap- troubles in daily life. Although converting them, as OST itself stands in a long and pened next, although it seems likely Kalm- three-rail equipment to more closely interesting tradition; our publisher has writ- bach then sold it to Penn. resemble the prototype goes back to the ten a bit about how he came to start it, and Penn published a similar periodical dawn of model railroading, it really took I will [mostly] leave it to him to fill any named Model Craftsman (which featured off during the 1930’s, partly because the details. Unlike previous attempts to start an different kinds of modeling) dating from true scale equipment was so expensive. exclusively O Scale magazine from March 1933. Penn also started a bimonth- This is the same time period in which scratch, Joe’s idea has been to use state-of- ly magazine called Miniature Railroading Lionel introduced its still much sought the-art technology to meet the specialized with a first issue in March 1938, published after full-scale items: the NYC Hudson, needs of a relatively small market without in East Stroudsburg Pa., with Harold Loose the PRR 0-6-0, and the freight cars. Until losing his shirt in the process. I have been and Louis Hertz as editors. Miniature Rail- well after WWII, the line between true on the Yahoo O Scale list long enough to roading had a precarious existence up to scale modeling and using three-rail com- have observed its gestation, from his real- the early war years, when it was folded mercial products (with varying degrees of ization that there was still an unmet need into Model Craftsman (probably a casualty modification) was imprecise. Unlike some for sharing of ideas and information and his of wartime paper shortages), which itself later publications directed primarily recruiting contributors largely from that list, briefly became Model Railroad Craftsman toward the three-rail, toy or collector mar- and that by using desktop publishing, digi- (April-June) in 1949, and then our now ket, the Model Builder seems to have tal images and other wonders of computer- familiar Railroad Model Craftsman (RMC). made a real effort to provide content for ization, he could provide a quality product The majority of the railroad articles serious modelers as well, with Frank Elli- at an affordable price. during this time were O Scale with larg- son a frequent contributor. Many of you are probably familiar with er-scale live steam the next most com- Most of the factors that led to a division the relatively-recent phenomenon of high- mon. One of the main reasons for between scale modeling in HO and ill-pro- ly-specialized publications for a limited collecting back issues of MR and RMC portioned O Scale toys by 1950 also audience. It was only a matter of time until (and their antecedents), especially before spelled the end for the Model Builder, someone recognized that true O Scalers 1950, is that O Scale was a much more although I have not been able to determine were dissatisfied with the very limited treat- significant part of the hobby back then. the date of the last issue. The content was ment of minority scales by the general- Al Kalmbach (MR) was an O Scale mod- quite varied, from sectional track layouts interest hobby press and craved more, but eler, as was John Page, his editor for for beginners to construction articles Joe got there first. some years (and although it has been a assuming all the scratch-building skills What about OST’s predecessors? Before long time, even Hal Carstens of RMC was short of machining. In the early years, ads Model Railroader (MR) appeared in the originally in O Scale). included not only Lionel and other O Scale middle of the Depression, scattered model It is no coincidence that O Scale arti- suppliers but also offerings from other railroaders had to find inspiration and ideas cles by Frank Ellison and Mel Thornburgh, scales, and toys and games. The biggest from British publications or the occasional to name just two titans, appeared with reg- difficulty in completing a file of Model railroad construction article in general craft ularity. By 1950, however, the move to Builder is that tinplate collectors are also journals, such as Popular Mechanics. I am smaller houses and the costs of model rail- looking for issues. still trying to sort out the beginnings of the roading for many younger hobbyists with As I warned you all in my first column, I Modelmaker in 1924, a slightly more spe- families to support had led to the domi- think of this as a forum, as I don’t have all cialized magazine which covered various nance of HO which has continued into the the answers (mostly what I hope are inter- kinds of modeling across the board (air- present, and the press reflected this. esting questions), so I invite you to fill in planes, boats, race cars, and working steam A notable exception was the Model the gaps in my knowledge, care of OST. engines, for instance, as well as trains of all Builder, a marketing brainstorm of that Next column I plan on discussing a fasci- scales). 1000-pound gorilla of model trains, nating publication out of Cincinnati, The The Modelmaker is often claimed as Lionel, to encourage year-round model Whistle-Stop/Junction/O Gauge Modeler, Charles Penn’s basis for what has become railroading with permanent layouts and to and the Vane and Corey Jones O Scale known as Railroad Model Craftsman publicize its new products. With the first Railroading. (RMC), but it was started by Spon and issue in January 1937, it may seem coun- [email protected] ◆ Chamberlain in New York City who appar- terintuitive that Lionel would try to broad- en its customer base when the economy July/Aug ’04 - O Scale Trains • 57 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 FOR SALE: O Scale brass etched C&O and N&W, round, oval 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 and rectangular number plates. Ten different builder’s plates like in must use a credit card. See our contact info on page 2. Lima, Baldwin, Alco,and Rodgers. Geo Washington Cameo, cylinder stars, 2 superheater and B&O Capitol Dome logo and LARGEST INVENTORY INTERMOUNTAIN BUILT-UP GONDO- much more. Call 304-736-7765 evenings, or go to [www.can- LAS, HOPPERS, BOX CARS, REEFERS, TANKERS... $39, If you doplates.com] Wilbur Epperly, 1115 Main St, Barboursville, WV demand INTERMOUNTAIN quality, buy while they are avail- 25504-1504 able. SASE for listings. Phone: 727-391-3135, John Clemens, 5273 97 Way N, St. Petersburg, FL 33708-3752 FOR SALE: Weaver, PRR L1, 2-8-2, $695; US Hobbies, PRR M1, 4-8-2, $1220; Sunset/3rd Rail PRR chlorine tank car, $120; PACIFIC LIMITED Second run USRA box cars. Don’t miss out Atlas, ACL, CNJ, RDG hoppers, $45 ea. Ph: 770-967-9813, again! Pennyslvania nine versions, MKT, Ann Arbor 1 1/2 door, email [[email protected]], Richard Morhard, 5964 Ann Arbor single door, DT&I, C&NW four versions, Western Williamsport Dr, Flowery Branch, GA 30542-3958 Maryland, C&O, N&W stock car... SASE. Phone: 727-391- 3135 John Clemens, 5273 97 Way N, St. Petersburg, FL FOR SALE: OL GN 2-8-8-2 F/P; GN p2 F/P green; SS Rio 33708-3752 Grande 4-6-6-4 F/P; SS USRA 4-8-2, C/P PM; OMI GP35 C/P BN; OL GP9 F/P GN; 6 Lionel Smithsonian passenger cars; YODER Chesapeake & Ohio, Pennsylvania hoppers, Western many FT cars. SASE. Ph: 423-772-4401 Norm Reaume, 129 Maryland hoppers, covered hoppers, wood chip hoppers, Hamby Rd, Roan Mt, TN 37687-0004 undecorated $169. Painted, lettered, weathered, Kadees, $199. Hundreds more, listings SASE. Phone: 727-391-3135. John WANTED: USH IHB 0-8-0 or tender only; Weaver RS3 F/P NYC, Clemens, 5273 97 Way N, St. Petersburg, FL 33708-3752 OMI FTs F/P NYC, OMI Sharks F/P NYC; OMI FA2 F/P NYC. Ph: 423-772-4401, Norm Reaume, 129 Hamby Rd, Roan Mt, KEYSTONE MUSEUM QUALITY Pennsylvania GLa twin hoppers, TN 37687-0004 GS, GSd gondolas, scrap tin cars, H-25 quads. Scale, Kadee versions. painted, unpainted, H-21’s coming... Hundreds more. FOR SALE: Resistance Soldering Set - PBL Hot Tip 300 Watt, SASE. Phone 727-391-3135, John Clemens, 5273 97 Way N, includes power supply, TC10-S4A cork handle tweezers, P-40 St. Petersburg, FL 33708-3752 carbon tipped probe, Treadlite foot switch and grounding strap. New and unused: $375, plus shipping. Ph: 503-802-5119, SUNSET MODELS: B&O early 2-8-8-4 #7615, later 2-8-8-4 [[email protected]] James Jarvis #7624 $1499; PRR 4-4-6-4 #6184 $1499; PRR streamlined electric #4746 $699; NKP 4-8-2 #845 $979, UP C-44-9W FOR SALE: Spray paint set - Badger model 175 air brush, Bad- #9734 $699. SASE for listings. Phone 727-391-3135. John ger model 180-11 compressor, air filter with gage, Paasche Clemens, 5273 97 Way N, St. Petersburg, FL 33708-3752 model HSSB spray booth with fan and filter. New and unused: $325, plus shipping. Ph: 503-802-5119, [jamesjarvis1@earth- link.net] James Jarvis 1-877-531-5275 TOLL FREE 1-585-334-8810 LOCAL KITS FOR SALE: ULTRA SCALE II - #600 NP box car $110; 1-585-334-1003 FAX #655 CP 38' Dominion box car $110; #658 PRR X-31 double [email protected] door box car $90 (includes all decals). Rails Unlimited urethane P.O. Box 577 body moldings: PFE 47' refer class R-50-1, Rio Grande 50' door- Henrietta NY 14467 and-a-half box car, GN 50" OB box car, $65 each. Blue Ridge Historics NCSt.L 42' gondola $60. F&C NYC 9 panel gondola $30. 2000 National Convention car KCS #17286 $35. Plus Your DCC, Sound and Signalling Specialist shipping. Ph: 503-802-5119, [[email protected]] NCE Retail DigistarDCC James Jarvis PH-PRO10 10 Amp DCC Starter Sys $649.95 $484.00 PH-PRO10R 10 Amp Radio DCC Starter Sys $869.95 $660.00 PB-110A Add-on 10 Amp Booster $269.95 $196.00 FOR SALE: Overland - USRA Heavy 2-8-2, N/P $1450; NKP S-2 PROCAB Delux Programming Cab $159.95 $119.00 2-8-4, N/P $1550. KTM/USH - UP 4-8-4 Stu Kleinschmidt drive PROCAB-R Delux Radio Programming Cab $249.95 $188.50 CAB04P Intermediate Cab w/Pot $89.95 $68.50 N/P $2400; UP 4-8-8-4 Stu Kleinschmidt drive A/P $2900. Ph: CAB04E Intermediate Cab w/Encoder $119.95 $91.50 815-464-6795 (after 4 PM Chicago time). Wade Schlinger CAB04PR Intermediate Radio Cab w/Pot $179.95 $135.00 CAB04ER Intermediate Radio Cab w/Encoder $199.95 $155.50 FOR SALE: AAR 50' DD Box car SF, SP, SRR, KCS, T&P, NYC, DIGITRAX Retail DigistarDCC Super Chief 8 Amp DT400 ThrottleDCS200+ Booster $469.00 $365.00 C&O, B&O, PM, WM, 50' w/End Doors UP or SF, 50' Single Super Chief 8 Amp Radio DT400R Throttle DCS200+ Booster$659.00 $504.00 Door CB&Q or Erie, $50 (2 or 3-Rail.) Complete personal col- Super Empire Builder DT300 Throttle DCS200+ Booster $349.00 $269.00 lection of brass and plastic for sale, including layout in whole or Super Empire Builder Radio DT300R Throttle DCS200+ Booster $549.00 $429.00 DCS200 8 Amp command Station/Booster $305.00 $248.50 part. Email [email protected] for complete list in Excel. DCS200+ 8 Amp Booster $199.99 $155.50 PRB is open the first Saturday of every month 9-2 to dispose of DT400 Super IR Throttle with Programming $179.99 $136.00 property. Pecos River Brass, 560 E Church St, Lewisville, TX DT400 R Super Radio/IR Throttle w/Programming $229.00 $174.50 DT300 Infrared Dual Throttle w/Programming $154.99 $115.00 75057-4010 DT300R Radio/Infrared Dual Throttle w/Programming $204.99 $144.00 UT1 Utility Throttle $79.95 $57.50 FOR SALE: Pecos River Brass in whole or part. Brass fabrication, UT2 Utility Throttle w/Programming $99.95 $77.50 plastic box cars, plastic building line, research materials, books Decoders Retail DigiStarDCC NCE D408SR 4 AMP 7 Fx Wired $89.95 $70.75 and magazines. Contact John C. Smith at john@pecosriver- NCE D808SR 8 AMP 8 Fx Screw Terminals $129.95 $105.00 brass.com. Pecos River Brass, 560 E Church St, Lewisville, TX Digitrax DG383AR 3 Amp 8 Fx JST/Wired $59.99 $46.00 75057-4010 Digitrax DG583AR 5 Amp 8 Fx JST/Wired $64.99 $53.75 Digitrax DG583S 5 Amp 8 Fx Screw Terminal $66.99 $54.75 Lenz LE4024 4 Amp 4 Fx Screw Terminal $69.95 $52.95 WANTED: Thomas 2-8-0s/0-8-0s and parts. IMR-NP reefer num- Sound Soundtrax DSX Sound Decoders $129.00 $97.00 bered below 91249, NP boxcar, both with small 3/4" logo. Light Miniatronics Erie four-door boxcar. Shop Craft reefer and hopper kits. Cham- 1.5V 15ma 10 Pack $9.00 20 for $17.00 pion, Westbrook, Hawk and other scribed and printed reefer 14V 30ma 10 Pack $8.00 20 for $15.00 sides. Ph: 607-547-9610. Joseph Ranker, 408 Christian Hill Rd, 16V 30ma 10 Pack $8.00 20 for $15.00 Cooperstown, NY 13326-6501 58 • O Scale Trains - July/Aug ’04 Advertisers Index

AAA Turntables 13 Hackworth Model Trains 49 Rail Photos Unlimited 13

Accurate O Scale 13 House of Duddy 24 Rons Books 23

Allegheny Scale Models 59 Keil-Line Products 13 Russian River RR Co. 13

AtlasO IBC MTH Electric Trains IFC RY Models 51

BTS 37 Miller Engineering 11 Scaled World 26

California Roadbed Co. 21 Model Tech Studios 45 Stevenson Preservation Lines 13

Central Locomotive Works 13 NCE Corp 37 Sumpter Valley Depot 21

Chicagoland 49 Norm’s O Scale 51 Suncoast Models 24

Diecast Direct 8 O Scale Realty 51 Sunset⁄3rd Rail 9, BC

Digistar 58 O Scale Signals 24 T Bone Models 51

Dominion Models 11 Old Pullman 56 Weaver 26

Eagles Nest Miniatures 26 Overland Models 39 Whitehall Hobbies 56

Get Real Productions 24 P&D Hobby Shop 25

Gorilla Glue 23 PRR Brass 21

Guide to Modern O Scale 21 Public Delivery Track 23 Allegheny Scale Models O Scale Locomotives And Rolling Stock 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 Locomotives Diesel Locomotives cont’d. $2250...... C&O T-1 2-10-4, Westside, Mint, KTM Model, Unpainted $2495...... NYC EMD E8 A-A, Key, New, Lightning Stripe - Samhongsa, $795 ...... NH I5 4-6-4, Weaver, New, Late Version - 2 Rail, Factory Paint Factory Paint $1850...... N&W A 2-6-6-4, PSC, Excellent, Tuned Drive - Complete, $3895...... PRR EMD E7 A-B-A 5 Stripe, Key, New, Brunswick Green - Last Run, Custom Paint Factory Paint $2875...... N&W Z1b 2-6-6-2, PSC, New, Road No. 1462, Factory Paint $2595...... PRR EMD E8 A-A 5 Stripe, Key, New, Brunswick Green - Last Run, $925 ...... PRR B6sb 0-6-0, PSC, Excellent, Standard Version, Unpainted Factory Paint $4950...... SP AC-12 Cab Forward 4-8-8-2, PSC, New, Crown Model, $2295...... PRR EMD E7 A-B 5 Stripe, Key, New, Tuscan - Samhongsa - 1st Run, Samhongsa, No. 4290 , Factory Paint Factory Paint $2795...... UP FEF-2 4-8-4, Key, New, Coal Version - Rare - 1 of 10, $2495...... PRR EMD E8 A-A 5 Stripe, Key, New, Tuscan - Samhongsa - 1st Run, Unpainted Factory Paint $2750...... UP Early Challenger 4-6-6-4, Sunset, Like New, Cockerham Drive $2395...... UP EMD E7 A-B, Key, New, Samhongsa - 1st Run, Factory Paint Two Motors, Custom Paint $850 ...... USRA Light 2-10-2, Sunset, Like New, Samhongsa, Unpainted Rolling Stock $375 ...... MDT Composite Reefer, Pacific Limited, New, PL-250, Unpainted Diesel Locomotives $450 ...... SP C-30-1 Wood Caboose, Pacific Limited, New, Straight Side Cupola, $2795...... AT&SF F3 A-B, Key, New, Ph 2 - Warbonnet - Samhongsa Rare, Unpainted Factory Paint Call ...... UP Streamline Passenger Cars, Wasatch, New, Nine Car Set, Unpainted $2695...... NYC ALCO PA - PB, Key, New, Lightning Stripe - Samhongsa, Factory Paint

July/Aug ’04 - O Scale Trains • 59 A current list of events is now available at our website [http://www.oscalemag.com]. If you have an event you’d like listed, we have a submission form at the website (the preferred EventsEvents method), or you can mail the info to our office address given on page 3. July 2004 Rugby Rd. Cedar Grove, NJ 07009 (973)857-2825 before 10:00pm. Contact 4-11: Seattle, Washington [email protected] Puget Sound Express 2004 NMRA National Convention - all scales; Mt. Ranier 9-10: Timonium, Maryland Club $1,000; Mt. Baker Club $500; Mt. St. Helens Club $250; $125; spouse $30, Great Scale Model Train Show Double Show: The Great Scale Model Train youth $20. Info: Dave Kreitler, Registrar (425) 831-5131 Contact Show & The All-American High-Rail & Collectors Show - Maryland State [email protected] Fairgrounds - separated into sections, Scale (by gauge) and HiRail. Fri: dealer 17: St. Paul, Minnesota setup 5 pm to 11 pm; Sat: setup 7 am to 9 am, sales & exhibits 9 am to 4 pm; Twin City Model Railroad Museum Hobby Sale - 1021 Bandana Blvd. East, Ste Sun: setup 8:30 am to 10 am, sales & exhibits 10 am to 4 pm; Admission: $6, 222 in St. Paul, 9:00 am - 3:00 pm, Sale admission free, Museum $2, under 5yo kids under 12 free, family max $12; 8' tables $55 (includes 2 worker’s passes for free. Contact TCMRM, 651-647-9628 the first table and 1 for each add’l table). Contact Howard Zane, (410) 730-1036. 22-25: Washington, D.C. Contact [email protected] 2004 Scale O National Convention - at the Hyatt Regency, Crystal City, Virginia at 10: Orange, Connecticut Reagan National Airport. Convention and Dealer. Complete information includ- New Haven & Derby RR Club 12th Annual Show - High Plains Community ing registration is available on the web at [http://www.2004onational.com/]. Center, 525 Orange Center Rd (Rte 152), 10 am - 4 pm. Donation: Adults $4, Registration info is available by mail from the Capital Area O Scalers, 2004 O children 6-12, $1 with adult. under 6 free, family $6. Handicap accessible. Scale National Convention, P.O. Box 42563, Washington D.C. 20015. Contact Contact Don Robillard, 74 Colonial Blvd., West Haven, CT, 06516, 203-932- [email protected] 0185. Contact [email protected] 23: Stamford, Ct. Stamford Model RR Club Swap Meet and Open House The Stamford Model August 2004 Railroad Club has scheduled Sat. Oct 23, 2004 for its O Scale Swap Meet and 7: Denver, Pennsylvania Open House. Show opens at 9:00am. Layout opens at 10:00am. Located at St. Eastern O Scalers Swap Meet – Denver Fire Hall, 4th & Locust Streets, Denver, John’s Episcopal Church, Main and Grove Sts, Stamford, Ct. (Exit 8 CT Tpke). Pa., 9:00 am – 1:00 pm Adm. $5; (spouses & children under 14 are free), $16.00 Dealers may contact Mike Crandall, (718) 829 1764. Email: (Jim Mardiguian) for the first table (includes one admission) and $12.00 for each additional table. [email protected] Information SASE EOS, PO Box 1781, Bensalem PA 19020; (215) 639-3864, 30: Strongsville, Ohio [email protected] Bring an index card with your name, address etc., for a $1.00 off Western Reserve O Scale Meet Cleveland area-Western Reserve O Scale Meet your admission. Contact [email protected] (2-Rail O Scale Only) - Holiday Inn Select Strongsville (1 exit south of turnpike at I-71 and OH Rte 82) - 9 am to 3 pm; $5; tables $20. Info: Bob Boeddener, September 2004 32165 Hickory Ln, Avon Lake, OH 44012; (440) 933-7169. 17-18: Indianapolis, Indiana Indianapolis Midwest “O” Scale Fall Meet - Four Points by Sheraton, 7701 E 42nd November 2004 St (hotel phone 317/897-4000) - 2-Rail O Scale, Proto:48, On3, On2, O 6: Wind Gap, Pennsylvania Trolley/Traction displays and sale. Friday registration 10 am, trading hall opens 2 Eastern O Scalers Swap Meet – Plainfield Fire Hall, 6480 Sullivan Trail – 9:00 am to 9 pm; Saturday registration 8:15 am, sales 9 am to 3 pm, layout tour 4:30 to 7 – 1:00 pm Adm. $5; (spouses & children under 14 are free), $16.00 for the first pm (7 layouts open); Sunday layout tour 9 am to 2 pm (9 layouts open); advanced table (includes one admission) and $12.00 for each additional table. Information registration by August 1st $10 for one or both days; 30"x72" table $35 each until SASE EOS, PO Box 1781, Bensalem PA 19020; (215) 639-3864. Bring an index AugustRESCHEDULED 1st, or $45 after that date. Info: Jim Canter, 1203 Rotherham Ln, Beech card with your name, address etc., for a $1.00 off your admission. Contact Grove, IN 46107-3323; (317) 782-3322. Contact [email protected] [email protected] 18-19: Dothan, Alabama 6-7: Syracuse, New York Wiregrass Annual Model RR Show & Sale Sponsored by the Wiregrass Heritage CNY-NRHS 30th Annual Train Fair Planning is already underway. We already Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society at the National Peanut Festival have requests for applications from some new vendors and manufacturers Fairgrounds, 5622 US Hwy 231 South. Sat. 9 - 5, Sun. 10-4. Admission $4 adults, including K-Line, Charles Ro and several others. Applications for next years under 12-free. Contact [email protected] show should be available in the spring of 2004.Write to P. O. Box 229, Marcellus, NY 13108-0229. Contact [email protected] October 2004 26-Dec 12: North Haledon, New Jersey 2: North Haledon, New Jersey 569 High Mountain Road, North Haledon, New Jersey 07508 First Presbyterian Church of North Haledon,201 SquawBrook Rd., North Model Engineers Railroad Club of North Jersey - Annual Open House Haledon, New Jersey Model Engineers Railroad Club of North Jersey - Annual November 26 - 28, December 3 - 5 & 10 - 12; Fridays 7:00 - 10:00 P.M., Swap Meet 9:30 A.M. - 1:00 P.M.; $4.00; Dealer Contact: Karl Geffchen 39 Saturdays & Sundays 2:00 - 5:00 P.M.; $4.00, children free with adult Contact [email protected]

Here’s a Weaver brass PRR K4 that Harry Hieke of Eagle’s Nest Miniatures redetailed for Herm Botzow. It has a new lead and trailing trucks and a new pilot as well as a mass of extra detailing on the boiler. Harry also built the bridge the K4 is sitting on from styrene.

60 • O Scale Trains - July/Aug ’04 Pete Trunk’s Philadelphia & Erie An Atlas SW8 repainted by Andrew Brusgard, Jr. Pete also added a spark arrestor to the exhaust stack. The loco sits at Shamokin on the Philadelphia & Erie, awaiting it’s next assignment.

Last issue (OST#14) we mentioned Robin Arkinstall’s 2 Doors Down model kits. Here is a photo of his white metal and brass GE 70 tonner. The road is a fictitious North Carolina shortline. The engineer reads O Scale Trains magazine. Robin scanned a front cover, scaled it down, and stuck it on his control panel in the cab.

July/Aug ’04 - O Scale Trains • 61 Observations Joe Giannovario, Editor⁄Publisher

Mmphfff... (hang on a sec). Pahtooey! (damn feathers). cils. Apple Computer and Adobe changed all that in 1984 with Well, I didn’t know crow could taste so good. No sooner had the Macintosh and Postscript. the ink dried on the page of my editorial last issue (OST#14) In the early 90’s, I worked on a bimonthly publication that than Mike’s Train House announced at the York TCA meet featured regular columns from England, France, South Africa, that they were getting back into O Scale 2-Rail. Check out Australia, Canada and the U.S., all sent by postal mail. What a their ad on the inside front cover of this issue. Also, take the pain in the neck coordinating that was! time to read Jeb Kriigel’s conversation with M.T.H’s Andy Email and the Internet have been around a long time, going Edelman on page 31. The inclusion of a switch that allows a way back to ARPANET, but it wasn’t until the mid-90’s that locomotive to be run on either 2 or 3-Rail track is quite inno- the Internet and email came to be as ubiquitous as the tele- vative. Here’s our recommendation for the HiRailers among phone. A lot of what you read in OST comes over the Internet. you vacillating about going 2-Rail: buy the 2-Rail scale ver- You would not be seeing Neville Rossiter’s great work, nor sion of the M.T.H. locomotives you want with scale flanges. that of Roland Marx or Paul Templar without computers and Set them up to run on your 3-Rail T-section track (add rollers the Internet. Our regular columnists send their work by email. and throw the switch to 3-Rail pickup). When you’re ready to Both computers and the Internet are tools. Sure, I could still make that final leap, dump the rollers and throw the switch wax down copy and paste up screened photos but the cost of over to 2-Rail pickup. It couldn’t be easier. producing a magazine that way would be much too expensive. One thing we’ve been saying for some time is that 2-Rail You wouldn’t pay for it. Look, Mel Thornburgh built gorgeous needs starter sets. We believe if people had a choice in hobby O Scale locos in the 30’s, 40’s, and 50’s using a handbrace and shops between 2-Rail starter sets and 3-Rail sets, a lot would a file. You could do the same today but wouldn’t you rather go 2-Rail. Maybe M.T.H. will offer 2-Rail starter sets. have an Emco or Sherline lathe to work with? M.T.H. brings another innovation to the 2-Rail party, Proto- Here’s an example of the Internet as a learning tool. When I Sound® 2.0 and DCS. The M.T.H. 2-Rail offerings will have was reading Hobo D. HiRailer’s column for this issue I saw all the bells and whistles, literally, that the 3-Rail gang enjoy. If the reference to the Harvey Girls. I consider myself well-read you don’t have a DCS control system, there will be a separate about prototype railroads and, yet, I had no idea who or what a control box to activate most, but not all, the features. The DCS Harvey Girl was. Since I was on the computer, I fired up my system will operate on AC or DC, so no problem there, and Internet browser and went to Google® where I typed in “Har- I’ve been told by a reliable source that DCS boards will be vey Girl”. The first link led me to the Harvey Girls Historical available to convert non-M.T.H. locomotives over to DCS. Society at the Orange Empire Railway Museums. (I’ll let you Yes, this adds yet another choice of control system to the mix find the link yourself. It’s good exercise.) but who can complain about too many choices? Not me. Anyway, a man named Fred Harvey decided to offer food It remains to be seen how the other O Scale manufacturers service along the route of the AT&SF. He recruited young respond to M.T.H. re-entering the 2-Rail market. We know women to serve the food. According the website: “[Harvey] they’re planning something but they’re being very tight-lipped would recruit women via newspaper ads from towns and cities about it and won’t comment officially. across the United States. The women had to be of good moral The Internet & Computers character, have at least an eighth grade education, display good I’m calling a moratorium to the braying about the Internet manners and be neat and articulate to work in his restaurants. and how the widespread use of computers is a sign of the Fall In return for employment, the Harvey Girls would agree to a of Western Civilization. The fact is you would not be holding six month contract, agree not to marry and abide by all compa- this magazine in your hands were it not for fast, efficient and ny rules during the term of employment. If hired, they were relatively cheap personal computers, and the Internet. given a rail pass to get to their company chosen destination.” (Lemme hitch up my suspenders here.) Back in the early There’s more, but my point is I learned something new 80’s when I started working on magazines, I used pasteboards using the Internet and my computer, and I thanked Hobo for it. and waxed down copy. (I still have a waxer here somewhere.) What have you learned new lately? Photos were screened and we used lots and lots of blue pen- Keep high ballin’! ◆

62 • O Scale Trains - July/Aug ’04 BATTEN DOWN THE HATCHES! New! Atlas O 70 Ton Covered Hoppers

(Item #9357)

Hey O Scalers! Bulk up your fleet with the New Atlas O 70 Covered Hoppers. These handsomely crafted cars feature great details such as open triangular or closed side panels as appropriate per road name, a die-cast chassis, operating hatch locking mechanism, all metal grab irons and stirrups, and more! Head down to your local hobby store and pick up yours today.

3-RAIL 2-RAIL ITEM # DESCRIPTION/ROAD NUMBER ITEM # O 70 TON COVERED HOPPERS 8350 Undecorated (Open side) 9350 8351 Undecorated (Closed side) 9351 8352 Erie 9352 8353 Great Northern 9353 8354 Lehigh & New England 9354 8355 Nickel Plate Road 9355 (Item #9354) 8356 Southern Pacific 9356 8357 Boraxo 9357 Four road numbers are available per road name except for Boraxo, which has two.

(Item #9355)

(Item #9356)

(Item #9352)

For the NEW Spring/Summer 2004 Locomotive & Freight Car (Item #9353) Catalog, please send $3 ($1 shipping) to the address shown below.

Atlas O, LLC. • 378 Florence Avenue • Hillside, NJ 07205 • www.atlasO.com THE “BIG SIX” IN STOCK NOW! YOU CAN’T AFFORD TO MISS THIS OPPORTUNITY...

PRODUCTION SAMPLES SHOWN

OPENING CAB VENTS

AWESOME DETAIL

EXQUISITE VALVE UNBELIEVABLE GEAR DETAIL BACKHEAD DETAIL

Built by LIMA and Baldwin, over 120 “Big Sixes” hauled coal and freight for the B&O. They were so success- ful they kept articulateds off the Pittsburgh Division. Often seen double headed with the EM-1 elsewhere on the B&O, the Big Six is a must for any collector or operator.

Sunset is bringing the Big Six to you in stunning Brass detail and in very limited quantities (only 75 in 2 rail). The B&O S-1a comes with all of the features that have made Sunset’s models so desirable!

Sprung Drivers, trailing truck and tender wheels. Complete valve gear with working oiler linkage. Crew figures installed, Pittman Powered with Lighted Class, Marker , Cab Interior, Head and Backup Lights. 2R Models have Kadee scale couplers installed. 56” 2 Rail Track Ready to Run.

SUNSET MODELS INC. 37 South Fourth Street · Campbell, CA 95008 · 408-866-1727 · fax to 408-866-5674 · www.3rdrail.com