Gn15 adventure.

[Anonymous]

Hey gang,
I've threatened to change scales several times on this forum but just can't bring myself to that point. HOWEVER, I have made the decision to add a Gn15 track to my outdoor line. Part of this new line will be inside as well.
How such a small track (the gauge used by HO) will hold up in Minnesota is the BIG question.
I've removed some little used side tracks to make room for the Gn15 tracks and have the ties in place for about 8' of the new line.
Next I need to find a source for rail....about code 125/130.

I was going to convert "O" scale locos and build a 30" line but the gauge difference from "G" track was so slight that I decided to go even smaller.

Well, I'm off on my new adventure.....or just OFF....only time will tell.

OLD DAD

[bman36]

Hey Larry,
Sounds quite interesting. I too was intrigued by the Micro in GR...but am staying put for now. Looking forward to seeing what you will come up with. Beautiful day here today. Gotta' make the most of it. Later eh...Brian.

[Anonymous]

Hi Old Dad
Sounds very interesting.
Have you concidered a piggy back car where the narow gauge is loaded onto the wide gauge for final shipment to its destination.
there are a couple of non US prototypes for this and if you look hard enough probably a US one as well.
Just a passing thought I must watch those they could be dangerous[:D]
Thats why I have the begining of a dual gauge section I had one of those dangerous passing thoughts[:D]
regards John

[cacole]

G-scale running on HO track? Yikes! The amount of overhang must really be something. What keeps the rolling stock from tipping off the track? I know that the new Bachmann On30 models run on HO track, but can't imagine G scale rolling stock with HO trucks under it.

[Anonymous]

Hi Larry,
Carrying on from Johns thoughts, carrying full size cars on narrow guage piggy backs. I have a book about the Leek & Manifold Railway (long gone alas) and it shows pictures of a couple of stations served purely by narrow guage with sections of standard guage track by the goods shed with standard guage wagons on.
Food for thought.
Cheers,
Kim
[tup]

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by cacole

G-scale running on HO track? Yikes! The amount of overhang must really be something. What keeps the rolling stock from tipping off the track? I know that the new Bachmann On30 models run on HO track, but can't imagine G scale rolling stock with HO trucks under it.

Not to worry cacole, full size "G" scale models will not be run on HO trucks. What I am building is a model of those little mine trains that go right into the mine tunnels on very narrow tracks....about 18" gauge.

I may end up converting some On30 locos to Gn15 by building larger cabs and swapping out other details like the head light and bell for larger ones.

Most mining tramways (railroads) had 4 wheel locos and rolling stock so they could go around sharp curves. This fact will enable me to fit a lot of action into a small space since these models will negotiate a 6" radius curve.

These trains are the same SCALE as other "G" models (1:22/1:20) but a smaller track gauge. The same size "people" will also be used on these little trains.
Many of these mining tramways are still in operation in the US and around the world.

If you want to learn more about these tiny "G" scale mine trains go to the FYI thread on page 2 of this forum and look for "Gn15".

OLD DAD

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by John Busby

Hi Old Dad
Sounds very interesting.
Have you concidered a piggy back car where the narow gauge is loaded onto the wide gauge for final shipment to its destination.
there are a couple of non US prototypes for this and if you look hard enough probably a US one as well.
Just a passing thought I must watch those they could be dangerous[:D]
Thats why I have the begining of a dual gauge section I had one of those dangerous passing thoughts[:D]
regards John

John, you and Kim just couldn't resist could you.....now I have to rethink my whole concept.....shame on you!!

I had forgotten about those piggy-back trains,,,,,I saw them in a video once. I don't know if such a thing ever ran in the US but one probably did some place.

Well, back to the drawing board......OLD DAD

[Anonymous]

Hi Old Dad
Well you could always have politely reminded us of rule no1[:D]
But it was just too much of an interesting idea to keep quite[;)][:D]
I had forgoten about the L&MR must thank Kim for that and get him to check the price then break it very gently of an L&M transporter wagon and st gauge wagon to go on it.
regards John

[Anonymous]

Larry/ John,
I'll start looking around at the UK end & see if I can find anything that runs (or can be adapted to) on HO but our scale compatable. Someone, somewhere will make something.
Cheers,
Kim
[tup]

[Anonymous]

Hi guys,
Had a look at Garden Railways Specialists - John knows all about these guys - on
http://www.grsuk.com Go into catalogue/rolling stock and you will find the Leek & Manifold transporter wagon kit, CMD352. It's available in 32mm or 45mm and should be adaptable down to 16mm. Priced at £32-75. Lot of interesting possibilities.
Cheers,
Kim
[tup]

I've tried opening the link from the above but it won't connect for some reason. I have double checked the address & it's right.
It works now, got a double dot instead of a single!

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by OLD DAD


I had forgotten about those piggy-back trains,,,,,I saw them in a video once. I don't know if such a thing ever ran in the US but one probably did some place.

When I was searching for color photos of the wood reefers I did see them but small problem! I can not remember where[:(]

[vsmith]

Larry,

Be carefull with HO scale track outside. Derailing is extremly easy to do. Are you planning on using ready made flex-track or handlaying. Try to get the largest rail you can, less problems with derailing and easier to keep level. Saw some Gn15 at the Ozark Miniatures booth at the QM show, really cool stuff. Was told to keep track level as possible if installing outside and to paint all plastic ties to help sheild from UV breakdown. Good Luck, keep us informed on progress.[8D]

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by vsmith

Larry,

Be carefull with HO scale track outside. Derailing is extremly easy to do. Are you planning on using ready made flex-track or handlaying. Try to get the largest rail you can, less problems with derailing and easier to keep level. Saw some Gn15 at the Ozark Miniatures booth at the QM show, really cool stuff. Was told to keep track level as possible if installing outside and to paint all plastic ties to help sheild from UV breakdown. Good Luck, keep us informed on progress.[8D]

Vic,

The Gn15 you saw at the Ozark Miniatures booth was most likely the old Herb Deeks line now produced by OM, I have two sets. Each set contains a model of one battery powered mine loco and 3 four wheel mine cars, a cheap transformer and two figures.

I will be hand laying my track in places that show and using HO flex track in hidden areas. Painting the ties is a good idea and I think I will also bury them in sand ballast.

My track is going on the oldest part of the layout built with flat boards for roadbed so the small track should stay level.....I hope.

The piggy-back idea has me intrigued so I'm trying to find a way to incorporate this into my overall plan.

Hav'n fun.....OLD DAD

[Anonymous]

Hi Old Dad
The easiest way I can think of incorperating the piggy back would be the stuff
comes out of the mine goes to basic processing at the mine is loaded into
trucks with lifting lugs on them run up on to the wide gauge flat top on its own gauge track goes to final processing.
Run off the wide gauge into processing plant to be turned into a marketable product which is where the lifting lugs are needed so the trucks can be emptied
Then back on too the wide gauge flat top to be transported back to the mine.
Nice and simple but only if there are two places that the Gn15 can go
regards John

[Anonymous]

Larry i can't for the life of me see why you want to do this but if we didn't try new things where would we be. I'm just a watcher and anything that interrupts that is just an annoyance for me. However if we all felt the same it would be a boring world and good luck with it.

Rgs

Ian

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by iandor

Larry i can't for the life of me see why you want to do this but if we didn't try new things where would we be. I'm just a watcher and anything that interrupts that is just an annoyance for me. However if we all felt the same it would be a boring world and good luck with it.

Rgs

Ian

Ian,
Because it's fun...I hope. So far I'm having a ball!!! http://www.gn15.info/

For me, building is what I like best and running trains is what I do when I get tired and need a rest.

Larry