Hey Big Boy, I have a question of you?

[Anonymous]

On your new layout are you going to incorperate any ON-30 in it? I think it might make a great look to really show off this newer scale. What do you think? Bill

[Big_Boy_4005]

Sorry Bill, no narrow gauge. The layout is strictly prototype, modeled after local railroads here in the Twin Cities area. I'm pretty sure that there was never any narrow gauge in the state of Minnesota. The only possible exceptions would be in northern Minnesota for logging or mining.

By the way, On30 isn't really "new", it is just gaining popularity. I believe it simply uses HO gauge track with the proportion of O scale. Now if I still lived in Colorado, things might be different.[;)]

[Anonymous]

Face it Big Boy, Your just afraid of dealing with just two rails. [:p] You are to attached to three rails but sooner or later you will have to leave your safty net and venture out ot the big world. [;)] I was just curious, i is a great scale though. Like you said, if you still liked colorado.[}:)]
Bill

[Anonymous]

Hey, Big Boy..........Acccording to a book I have about Milwaukee Road narrow gauge lines it said that Minnesota passed a law stating that all common carrier railroads built in Minnesota had to be standard gauge. Odd-d

[Big_Boy_4005]

Oh Bill, over the years, I've tried them all. I've done N, HO, 2 rail O, G, and even tried 1" and 1-1/2". I am however, permenantly committed to 3 rail O. If I didn't own so much stuff, I might go back to HO. Imagine what I could do with a 46' x 38' space in HO.

A few weeks ago I attended my first operating session in over 20 years. The layout was HO. It was a lot of fun, but man, that stuff seemed small. I love Kadee couplers, and they work great when you have the magnet mounted in the track, but if you need to uncouple on the mainline where there is no magnet it can be a pain.

With the oversized 3 rail couplers, most have that little tab. Just reach in with a finger, and pop, piece of cake.

Then there's 2 rail wiring, wyes, reverse loops, and even turnouts can be a real hassle. 3 rail, no fuss, no muss. Maybe that's another reason it is so great for kids.

Since I'm not really into steam, maybe that is why narrow gauge has never grabbed me. As for 2 rail, I can honestly say, been there done that. [:D]

[Big_Boy_4005]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Odd-d

Hey, Big Boy..........Acccording to a book I have about Milwaukee Road narrow gauge lines it said that Minnesota passed a law stating that all common carrier railroads built in Minnesota had to be standard gauge. Odd-d

Interesting Bob, I had never heard that one. That law has to date back to the beginning of Minnesota statehood, and I'll bet it is still on the books, though there hasn't been much new track laid in the last 70 years.

If there ever was any narrow gauge in Minnesota, it would probably gotten around that law by not being a common carrier. Private logging or mining could still work. The thing is that Minnesota really doesn't have mountains, and that was where most narrow gauge operations existed.[:)]

[daan]

Back to 2 rail?? Who's advice is that... Now he can enjoy something which works, no matter if you have a cleaning pad in your hand or not, and then one would start 2 rail again? Man I enjoy the no hassle but drive way of live 3 rail provides me. It has the weight, the power and the relayability of the real railroads.. My N-setup has been untouched since 0 was in the house..

[Anonymous]

I have to agree with you on the oversized couplers and larger flanged wheels, they just plain work. I have about a 50/50 mix of steam and early diesal, so i can run either. Well tommorrow i can finally sit down and work on the railroad, football and trains.YAY Bill

[Anonymous]

Who is Big Boy???

[AntonioFP45]

Hello H.Zimmer,

Just click on his name in the box on the left side of his last post. His background and the personal info he wrote into his profile will pop up. He posts on the MR Forum regularly and often provides good info, especially to Newbies getting started.

Hope this helps.

Cheers and High Greens!

[Big_Boy_4005]

Thanks Antonio, and congratulations on that fifth star. I've been meaning to say that for the last couple of days.

[AntonioFP45]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Big_Boy_4005

Thanks Antonio, and congratulations on that fifth star. I've been meaning to say that for the last couple of days.

Thanks Amigo! I appreciate it. [swg][tup]

Just trying to do my part helping to keep things coooooool whenever I spot potential trolling.

Cheers and High Greens! [:)][:D][8D][;)][8)]

[Big_Boy_4005]

QUOTE: Originally posted by AntonioFP45

QUOTE: Originally posted by Big_Boy_4005

Thanks Antonio, and congratulations on that fifth star. I've been meaning to say that for the last couple of days.

Thanks Amigo! I appreciate it. [swg][tup]

Just trying to do my part helping to keep things coooooool whenever I spot potential trolling.

Cheers and High Greens! [:)][:D][8D][;)][8)]

[:D][;)][:p]

[Anonymous]

Big Boy,
Thanks for posting your picture. I always wondered what you looked like.

[Big_Boy_4005]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Sandy Jorgenson

Big Boy,
Thanks for posting your picture. I always wondered what you looked like.

That's not me Sandy. I thought that was you. This is me!!![;)]

[AntonioFP45]

Wow!

Guess this wonderful hobby of ours can "have an effect on you!"

Nuff Said!

[Big_Boy_4005]

Yes Antonio, but at least I still have my sense of humor.[swg]