ModelingModeling ScaleScale forfor thethe OO ScaleScale OOTraiTraiTrainsnsns CraftsmanCraftsman O ◆◆ ◆◆ Mar/AprMar/Apr 2004 2004 IIssuessue #13 #13 $5.95$5.95 rere 2! 2! WeWe’’ US $5.95 • Can $7.95 Display until Apr. 30th 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 PowerPower oror RepowerRepower KitsKits forfor RedRed CabooseCaboose GPsGPs PDP2201K-Repower kit, Red Caboose GP9, P&D brass EMD Blomberg trucks The P&D TWIN TOWER DRIVE for the Red Caboose GP body kit is functionally equivalent to the P&D power units already avail- able for the P&D F units, GPs, RSDs, and the Weaver FAs, FBs, RS-3s and GP-38s. The Red Caboose power kits provide only the neces- sary power related parts to supplement the Red Caboose GP body kit. These power kits fully uti- lize the underframe (plat- PDP2201K-Repower Kit, Red Caboose GP9 with P&D brass form), deck, air tanks, fuel Blomberg trucks...$200.00 tanks, motor mounts and screws that are furnished in the Red Caboose body kit. These P&D Twin Tower Drive kits can also be used to repower existing Red Caboose GPs. Two kits are offered: #PDP2200K has plastic Blomberg trucks, while #PDP2201K features the P&D brass Blomberg trucks, which are truly some of the finest trucks on the market. Each kit also includes a powerful Pittman motor and all the necessary parts to com- plete the installation. Detailed instructions are PDP2200K-Repower Kit, Red Caboose GP9 with plastic Blomberg included. trucks...$160.00 Modeling for the O Scale ScaleScale Craftsman Issue #13 OOOTraiTraiTrainsnsns Mar/Apr 2004 Features Vol. 3, No. 2 4 The Southern Editor/Publisher Stuart Ramsey’s layout blends the best of the Pocahontas Roads. Joe Giannovario 8A Chicago Great Western Caboose A drawing of a unique prototype in a hobby magazine led Al Krol to Art Director build this unique model. Jaini Simon 11 Bright Headlights Associate Editor Stuart Ramsey brings into focus how to make headlight reflectors. Brian Scace 12 Bitten by the Bug... Contributors ...the narrow gauge bug that is. Carey Hinch took a trackplan for an Ted Byrne HO layout and adapted it for On30. Gene Deimling Bobber Gibbs 16 A Sector Plate for the Harmony Creek & Southern Carey Hinch Squeezed for space? Here’s a neat solution by Ron Gribler. Hobo D. Hirailer 20 O Scale National 2004 Roger Jenkins Jace Kahn This issue we offer photos of half a dozen layouts you can visit during Jeb Kriigel the convention. Neville Rossiter John C. Smith 23 Just Another Plain Switcher It’s anything but... Roland Marx shares his conversion of a Gilmaur Subscription Rates: 6 issues SW1500 into a CP MP15. United States US$30 Canada/Mexico US$50 30 Building 69" Drivers for a Burlington 2-6-2 Prairie Overseas US$75 Tom Mix makes it sound easy with the right tools. Mastercard & Visa accepted Call 610-363-7117 during 34 Working Lighted Switch Stands Eastern time business hours If you use working ground throws to operate your switches, Charlie Dealers write for terms. Morrill shows how you can make them indicate the route with lights. Advertisers write for information 46 WM Boxcar Conversion or visit our website. A generic Weaver boxcar makes a fine Western Maryland Class B-3 as O Scale Trains ISSN 1536-9528 shown by Don McFall. www.oscalemag.com Published bimonthly (6 times a year) by 55 Locomotive Wheel Cleaner O Scale Trains Magazine, A chore is made easier with this setup described by David Stewart. PO Box 238, Lionville PA 19353-0238 59 OST Builds A Layout © 2004 OST All Rights Reserved Printed in the U.S.A. Contributors: O Scale Trains Departments welcomes your feature articles, photos, and drawings. Such material should be sent to the above address for 14 Traction Action – Roger Jenkins possible publication. If we accept, you will be notified 19 Easements for the Learning Curve – Brian Scace immediately. For more information concerning article preparation guidelines, please send an SASE to the 22 The Good Old Days - Jace Kahn above address and request our “Guide For Authors” 26 The Workshop - Neville Rossiter or visit our website. 28 Crapola From The Cupola – John C. Smith 37 Confessions of a HiRailer – Hobo D. Hirailer Cover: Taddy Scace is appalled at what we did to his cake and his locomotive, but, hey, it was for 38 Reader Feedback – Letters to the Editor a good cause. Staff photo. 42 Product News & Reviews Centerspread: A Williams N&W J rolls along the 50 Narrow Minded – Bobber Gibbs lower level of the Southern with a Powhatan 53 Proto48 – Gene Deimling Arrow consist. Meanwhile, a Max Gray N&W 56 O Scale DCC - Ted Byrne Y6b is assigned to pusher service on “Heart- break Hill”. Photo by Stuart Ramsey. 58 Buy-Sell-Trade Ads 59 Advertiser Index 60 Events Listing 61 OST Dealer List OST is a proud Member of the Model Railroad Industry Association 62 Observations – Joe Giannovario Mar/Apr’ 04 - O Scale Trains • 3 TheThe S Southernouthern Stuart Ramsey Ever since I can remember Flyer. I guess that is why I am a 2 rail fan. For many years I was I have liked trains, trains of into HO and really enjoyed working with that scale. Then one all kinds. Maybe it is because day, 20 years ago, I saw a 2 rail O Scale layout and WOW, I my grandfather worked in was hooked. Everything just seemed more realistic and sound- management for the South- ed that way, too. I found a dry basement here in Florida and it ern Railway in Atlanta, Geor- had a house on top of it. I was happy. As with most model rail- gia. Thanks to him and the roads it started off small and grew and grew, just like the real passes my family received, railroads did. we traveled by rail a lot, My railroad, the SOUTHERN, is a fictitious connecting rail- mainly up and down the east road consisting of my favorite railroads. Naturally, the South- coast. I remember standing ern Railway is my favorite. The other roads are N&W, C&O, on the open platform of an observation car watching the con- ACL, SCL, and the FEC. ductor dropping fusees onto the ties to let the next train know we were ahead of them. I think that the smell of coal smoke from the steam engine and the noise and motion of the train got into my blood as it surrounded us on the open rear deck. I still loved riding the trains even after the engines became diesels and the obser- vation car was enclosed. Rid- ing on the French TGV at 185 mph is the only thing that came close to the thrill of yesteryear. I have had some form of model railroad for most of my life starting with American 4 • O Scale Trains - Mar/Apr’ 04 Being a connecting railroad makes it possi- ble to have all sorts of different equipment. Both steam and diesel fit in the period and give a contrast to the changing times. I have yet to go modern, but it has been tempting to buy some of the neat cars I see running up and down the FEC as I travel around town. Most of my 1000 feet of track work is Atlas flex and the 80-plus switches are from Old Pullman with Switchmaster motors. I have made quite a few sidings for local switching work, which is one of my favorite things to do. I have a large double stub ended yard for my main freight yard and a smaller yard on the upper level where the locals pick up their orders. Another operation I like to do is a looooong train with upwards of 80 freight cars and helpers in the rear. I like to video these trains because on the tape they seem and sound quite real. There’s nothing like a C&O H-8 slowly grinding up a 2% grade with a heavy load or a N&W Y6b with a long load of hoppers. I remember seeing the Y6b’s going only 15 mph with car after car of coal slowly following them. Them were the days! Dirty ones, too! The SOUTHERN has 5 passenger trains that have to share the mainline and, just like the good ole days, they take the right of way. The main freight yard is choked with about 200 cars and I am in the process of down- Mar/Apr’ 04 - O Scale Trains • 5 sizing so that I can do more switching. The infrastructure of the SOUTHERN isn’t modern. The power for the engines is from two home-built 18 volt, 12 amp, power packs and 3 Dallee Yardmasters for moving around the lay- out while doing switching chores. I am consid- ering switching over to a DCC or TMCC system, but with 30 diesels and 29 steam engines on the roster I think I will wait awhile and see how all the new systems work. I am also afraid of hav- ing “cornfield” meets and, with trains pulling up to 80 lbs of cars, a mistake could be costly. I have 3 cabs and that keeps the CEO, engineer, and dispatcher quite busy now. The latest addition to the SOUTHERN is a wharf scene. A friend of mine bought a Lionel tugboat. It is a little smaller than O Scale, but not that noticeable. I had to have one! Then I had to have a place to put it.