LillenTetsu Uma I received American Narrow Gauge Railroads by George Hilton as a graduation present from one of my college professors before I became interested in narrow gauge modeling. It is facinating and I highly recommend it. It is available on Google books at http://books.google.com/books?id=7POj8GvF4sIC Anyways, I have a few question. How detailed are the Blackstone engines in comparison to say a PCM Big boy or other high quality models? Also, is it easy to fit the plow on them? And last, do anyone know a place where the plows are available, I haven't been able to find any yet. This is the model that I'm currently considering ordering. http://www.walthers.com/exec/productinfo/678-310100S Modeling the Chicago area is an interesting proposition I have been thinking along those lines before. Obviously this is a bit away from Chicago but it might just be "close enough". Thanks for that idea. Magnus
Tetsu Uma I received American Narrow Gauge Railroads by George Hilton as a graduation present from one of my college professors before I became interested in narrow gauge modeling. It is facinating and I highly recommend it. It is available on Google books at http://books.google.com/books?id=7POj8GvF4sIC
I received American Narrow Gauge Railroads by George Hilton as a graduation present from one of my college professors before I became interested in narrow gauge modeling. It is facinating and I highly recommend it. It is available on Google books at http://books.google.com/books?id=7POj8GvF4sIC
Anyways, I have a few question. How detailed are the Blackstone engines in comparison to say a PCM Big boy or other high quality models?
Also, is it easy to fit the plow on them? And last, do anyone know a place where the plows are available, I haven't been able to find any yet.
This is the model that I'm currently considering ordering.
http://www.walthers.com/exec/productinfo/678-310100S
Modeling the Chicago area is an interesting proposition I have been thinking along those lines before. Obviously this is a bit away from Chicago but it might just be "close enough". Thanks for that idea.
Magnus
I haven't seen either the PCM Big Boy or the Blackstone Mudhen up close but they both look pretty detailed to me. I am not a rivet counter, however and I am sure other may have standards higher than my own. I did see that Blackstone appears to be offering at least one Mudhen with a plow already installed: http://www.blackstonemodels.com/products/k27art/464_dec.htm
The Upper Peninsula is due north of Chicago and was served by the C&NW (http://www.cnwhs.org/images/map1909.jpg), the Soo line (http://sooline.railfan.net/resources/maps/index.html), and the Duluth, South Shore, and Atlantic Railway (http://dssa.habitant.org/). The C&NW and Soo lines both ran to Chicago so you could have a U-P link with Chicago roads.
I can keep an eye out for a used copy of American Narrow Gauge Railroads if you want. (I saw an excellent used copy at a show last month from Railroadbooks.biz http://www.railroadbooks.biz.) What I like about the book (besides a listing of just about every narrow gauge railroad in the US broken down by state) is how it explained the (mostly flawed) theories about Narrow Gauge (including lower tare weight and cheaper road bed, etc.) that caused much of the world (due to British influence) to be stuck with narrow gauge to this day.
Tetsu Uma wrote: I received American Narrow Gauge Railroads by George Hilton as a graduation present from one of my college professors before I became interested in narrow gauge modeling. It is facinating and I highly recommend it.
I received American Narrow Gauge Railroads by George Hilton as a graduation present from one of my college professors before I became interested in narrow gauge modeling. It is facinating and I highly recommend it.
My book got cancelled by the seller. He wanted 40$ shipping instead of the amount(12$) that he had specifies on Amazon. To bad.
Modeling the Chicago are is an interesting proposition I have been thinking along those lines before. Obviously this is a bit away from Chicago but it might just be "close enough". Thanks for that idea.
Let me throw this in a little different tangent. Have you (anyone) considered mining and logging in the Michigan Upper Peninsula (the 'U-P')? The Quincy mine at Hancock, MI had a 3' gauge line to move copper ore down to the lake where it was loaded on steamers. A couple of their locomotives are preserved at the Huckleberry Railroad in Flint, MI. In the U-P, the hills are not nearly as big as the Rockies (which I perfer being from Chicago) but they measure snowfall in feet not inches. I don't have details but I am sure there were narrow gauge logging railroads that came in, cut and moved on so that is a possibility as well. Houghton, MI is an 8-9 hour drive from Chicago and let me add, there is a large Scandinavian population in the UP, too. "Say ya to da U P, eh?"
With the release of the really excellent HOn3 rolling stock from Micro-Trains, I have become interested in HOn3 but am disappointed in the selection of affordable non brass HOn3 locomotives. Blackstone is nice but still too expensive for me and too focused on the Rio Grande. Anyway, I have been in touch with MT to encourage them to do an affordable DCC ready steam locomotive in HOn3. (According to the MT website, send comments and suggestions to ben@micro-trains.com.) I have also contacted Athearn by e-mail (http://www.athearn.com/About/Contact.aspxand) in person at train shows about releasing an improved HOn3 version of the old MDC Shay and perhaps an HOn3 rod engine. Athearn acquired the the MDC tooling when they bought Roundhouse and most everyone remotored the MDC kits with Athearn motors, anyway. If you are interested in affordable locomotives in HOn3, I would encourage everyone to contact MT and Athearn about affordable HOn3 locomotives.
Any other stores that carry a lot of HOn3?
I know caboose have an OK selection and OK prices. But they do not tell me how much shipping will be. Something that is rather important when it can be anything from 30-75$. I'm mostly interested in getting a DCC with sound K-## from Blackstone, and I want huge plows. Which plows are recommended?
jeffers_mz wrote:This place has a pretty good selection of out of production and hard to find stuff, including HOn3:http://www.jaystrains.com/I've bought there, quick efficient service, and they were willing to spend time on the phone taking orders and answering questions.This place has a lot of information on Colorado Nrrow gauge prototypes ad a little on California narrow gauge railroads:www.narrowgauge.orgA very large website, I've literally spent weeks there and I'm still not sure I've seen it all.I have a couple questions about narrow gauge someone here my be able to answer.1. Why does shortening the axles make sharper curves possible? Geometry-wise, the fixed wheelbase should still be the governing factor. I know the narrow gauge lines went narrow to save space, usually in rugged terrain, and that the sharper curves were a big part of the space ssavings, but i don't understand, from a physics point of view, why this worked.2. I once read of a narrow gauge line that, for a very short time, operated a line from Aspen to Crested Butte, Colorado, or that general vicinity. To do so, they would have had to cross the Elk range, a tough proposition. If memory serves, the line crossed the Elks in the vicinity of Pearl Pass or Taylor Pass. I thought it might have been the Denver and South Park line, but now I can't find any reference to this branch. Any info on a railroad that crossed the Elks would be appreciated.
This place has a pretty good selection of out of production and hard to find stuff, including HOn3:
http://www.jaystrains.com/
I've bought there, quick efficient service, and they were willing to spend time on the phone taking orders and answering questions.
This place has a lot of information on Colorado Nrrow gauge prototypes ad a little on California narrow gauge railroads:
www.narrowgauge.org
A very large website, I've literally spent weeks there and I'm still not sure I've seen it all.
I have a couple questions about narrow gauge someone here my be able to answer.
1. Why does shortening the axles make sharper curves possible? Geometry-wise, the fixed wheelbase should still be the governing factor. I know the narrow gauge lines went narrow to save space, usually in rugged terrain, and that the sharper curves were a big part of the space ssavings, but i don't understand, from a physics point of view, why this worked.
2. I once read of a narrow gauge line that, for a very short time, operated a line from Aspen to Crested Butte, Colorado, or that general vicinity. To do so, they would have had to cross the Elk range, a tough proposition. If memory serves, the line crossed the Elks in the vicinity of Pearl Pass or Taylor Pass. I thought it might have been the Denver and South Park line, but now I can't find any reference to this branch. Any info on a railroad that crossed the Elks would be appreciated.
I concur with your opinion on Jay's Trains.
I don't know that the wheelbase isn't the controlling factor. Narrow gauge boomed in the 1870s and 1880s because of the proposition that roadbed was much cheaper, and rolling stock could haul 7/8 as much at 3/4 the cost. That was music to promoters of railways in a capital-starved land with frequent recessions.
Narrow gauge locomotives and rolling stock were fairly close to 1870s and 1880s standard gauge rolling stock in terms of size and capacity. And much sharper curves and steeper grades were tolerated in both standard and narrow gauge lines at the time due to the high cost of leveling and straightening routes, and due to the efficiency advantage of railroads - almost regardless of curves or grades - had over any other form of land transportation.
The golden glow of narrow gauge lost its luster for many reasons. Blasting a shelf on a mountainside was expensive, period. The narrower roadbed had some savings but it wasn't half the cost. And in more level terrain, the savings would almost evaporate. The sharp curves and steep grades kept speeds slow and operating costs high.
Standard gauge locomotives and rolling stock grew steadily in size and capacity (and hence efficiency) from 1890 to 1940. Narrow gauge was limited in its capability to match this growth due to the cheap roadbed, light rail, and yes, sharp curves. With very limited interchange and bridge traffic capability, there were seldom enough profits to rebuild the roadbed and track like their standard gauge brethren did on a regular basis to accommodate the growth in size and capacity. Those narrow gauge lines that had enough common carrier profit potential were generally bought out and converted to standard gauge no later than 1910, with some notable exceptions that survived into the 1950s and became famous narrow gauge lines.
Bottom line is that narrow gauge equipment generally has significantly shorter wheelbases than standard gauge. Drivers and wheels are smaller, too.
The physics part has to do with the wheels being fixed to a common axle. On a curve, the wheel on the outer rail has a longer path to follow, and one or the other wheel would be forced to slide instead of roll. So wheels have a taper, which will prevent sliding down to a calculated radius. The narrower the gauge, the less difference there is in distance between the two wheels' paths. So for a given wheel taper, the narrow gauge can go to a smaller radius before the severe increase in friction resulting from sliding instead of rolling comes into play.
Can't answer the 2nd question, you might try some of the narrow gauge Yahoo groups if nobody else comes up with one.
Fred W
....modeling the golden era of railroading when the dreams were big and the locomotives and rolling stock were small....
marthastrainyard wrote:The only two I know of are Denver and Rio Grande and Southern Pacific (both western, unfortunately in your case). There may be others,
PASMITH wrote:Good luck with your layout, and may I suggest that you do it your way and just have fun.Peter Smith, Memphis
This is the best advice of it all and what I ultimately will do anyways. But it is fun checking these things up.
I would like to thank you for the help. I apreciate it.
The only two I know of are Denver and Rio Grande and Southern Pacific (both western, unfortunately in your case). There may be others, but I don't think B&O are among them
Per
I have another question.
Did any major railroads operate their own narrow gauge? I mean the Denver and Rio Grande was to my knowledge both? I guess what I'm trying to say is, would it have been plausible to have a short line of narrow gauge and let it be marked with B&O lettering? If so I could use a unlettered engine. The problem as I see it is finding anything that isn't a western narrow gauge for sale.
tomikawaTT wrote:Back to the prototype for a really strange bit of different rail size lore.Back when, the Grande had 16 miles of dual-gauge track from Alamosa, CO, to Antonito, CO, where the standard gauge and the narrow gauge parted company. Somewhere along the (time) line, the standard gauge was re-laid with, IIRC, 100# rail. The third, off-center, rail, was 60# or 65# and was not changed out. The outside-frame 2-8-2s (and all the other narrow gauge rolling stock) rolled along with a clearly-visible list. I was told that the counterweights, which were outside the Mudhen Mikes' frames, lined up with the unused rail - and only cleared it by a fraction of an inch. Must have been a really strange feeling to run or ride along there.Chuck (modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)
Back to the prototype for a really strange bit of different rail size lore.
Back when, the Grande had 16 miles of dual-gauge track from Alamosa, CO, to Antonito, CO, where the standard gauge and the narrow gauge parted company. Somewhere along the (time) line, the standard gauge was re-laid with, IIRC, 100# rail. The third, off-center, rail, was 60# or 65# and was not changed out. The outside-frame 2-8-2s (and all the other narrow gauge rolling stock) rolled along with a clearly-visible list. I was told that the counterweights, which were outside the Mudhen Mikes' frames, lined up with the unused rail - and only cleared it by a fraction of an inch. Must have been a really strange feeling to run or ride along there.
Chuck (modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)
any closer and we would be seeing a fascimile of a cog railway...
talk about pounding the rails, literally...
Now that WOULD be something to model...8-D
A lot of the information posted so far isn't exactly accurate or timely.
1. DCC is a control system that can be installed in any locomotive. Older brass locomotive usually need to have the motor isolated from the loco frame, but otherwise there is no difference installing DCC in standard gauge or narrow gauge locomotives.
2. Micro Engineering makes meter lengths of flex track only, Shinohara makes flex track, turnouts, crossing, in both HOn3 and dual gauge HO/HOn3. Dual gauge is a three rail system where the outer two rails are gauged for standard gauge and one outer rail and the inner third rail is gauged for narrow gauge. This allows for both types of equipment to use the same rails. It is prototypically correct in many narrow gauge interchanges. The largest I can think of is the D&RGW engine facilities in Alamosa, Colorado. Shinohara turnouts do need some work isolating the turnout frog for DCC use.
3. Blackstone Models and MMI (a division of PSC) are both currently selling die cast versions of the D&RGW/RGS K-27 mikados in both DC and DCC versions. The DCC equiped versions also have sound! These are selling around $350-$400 USD, but are limited runs and are selling out fast. Blackstone and MMI have scheduled additional locomotives to be produced in 2008-2009, next up will probably be K-36 mikados and/or C-17/18/19 consolidations. These will be die cast with DCC and sound too. Don't be fools by the die cast models. These are extremely detailed locomotives. Most people would think they are brass. There are many brass models from the 1970-1990 for sale on Ebay or through hobby shops that specialize in brass or narrow gauge. You will find that the only Eastern US prototype locomotives will be brass. These will generally run anywhere from $300-700 USD depending on the quality and/or rarity of the locomotive.
In Ready to Run (RTR) rolling stock, there is Blackstone again who just released D&RGW 3000 series boxcars and 5500 series stockcars. These models sell at $37 with "fresh" paint or $43 with weathered paint schemes. These cars selling out immediately. They are that good. Kadee's Micro Trains line has released several Colorado & Southern cars in RTR. A C&S refrigerator car, gondola, and a skeleton frame logging car. Most other rolling stock is in craftsman kit form. PSC makes several D&RGW plastic kits; 30' & 40' refrigerators, 40' stock car, frameless and narrow frame tank cars, 40' steel frame flat cars, and cabooses.
Minimum radius for HOn3 varies with locomotive and cars length just like standard gauge. Small Shays and Heislers can handle 15" radius with short trains. 2-6-0 and 2-8-0s can usually handle 18" radius curves, and some K series mikados can handle this radius too. Most K series mikados, 40' freight cars, and passenger cars will do much better with 20" curves or larger.
HOn3 is 36" gauge narrow gauge, HOn30 is 30" gauge, HOn2 is 24" narrow gauge, HOm is meter gauge narrow gauge.
As people have mentioned the Narrow Gauge and Short Line Gazette is the one of the best magazines for narrow gauge modeling. Also, if you are interested in HOn3 I suggest you join the Yahoo HOn3 group at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HOn3/ there are many very knowledgable modelers in this discussion group who can provide much more information than I can place here. This is a worldwide group with many EU members so finding sources for HOn3 in Europe will be easier.
HOn3 is no longer a craftsman only scale/gauge. The choices in RTR equipment are growing constantly, and they are as smooth running as their broad gauge counterparts now.
dinwitty wrote:the fact that there are different rail sizes does NOT mean you can't mix code sizes, you CAN!You file down the larger rail size at the joint and level it to the smaller size and solder them together. Prototype uses different rail sizes all the time. Just depends on your modeling goals and what and how far you want to mix rail sizes.
You file down the larger rail size at the joint and level it to the smaller size and solder them together.
Prototype uses different rail sizes all the time. Just depends on your modeling goals and what and how far you want to mix rail sizes.
And sometimes you should mix rail sizes! You will need to have the standard gauge rail in a dual-gauge turnout and swith to narrow-gauge rail just after the turnout for the NG track.
dinwitty wrote: the fact that there are different rail sizes does NOT mean you can't mix code sizes, you CAN!You file down the larger rail size at the joint and level it to the smaller size and solder them together. Prototype uses different rail sizes all the time. Just depends on your modeling goals and what and how far you want to mix rail sizes.
the fact that there are different rail sizes does NOT mean you can't mix code sizes, you CAN!
Very good point. I use code 70 and code 55 on the HO standard gauge, and code 55 and 40 on the HOn3 line. The larger rail sizes on both gauges are a little over size for 1900-era short lines, but I wanted to show the differences between main line and other trackage, and between standard and narrow gauge.
fwright wrote: Lillen wrote:....First, what is the maximum recommended grade percentage?Second, what Code is the minimum these engines can be run at? I looked at a DVD this morning and the rails are so incredibly small? Will they run on C55 and is their any good available? Or should c70 have to do?MagnusMagnusHOn3 locomotives, being smaller and lighter than their standard gauge bethren, often struggle to haul prototype-size trains up steep grades. Very similar to N engines in that respect. If using the Blackstone K27 or similar rod engines, I would recommend sticking to 3% or lesser grades. Shays or Climax's with all wheel drive, can often haul 3 car trains up a 5% grade. I do recommend testing with your chosen locomotives and cars before commiting to a more than 3% grade.As I stated in my earlier post, MicroEngineering makes HOn3 flex track with code 40, 55, and 70 rail. However, their turnouts are only in code 55 rail. BK and Railway Engineering also offer turnouts in code 55, and I'm sure Steve Hatch (Railway Engineering) would make some up in code 40 upon request. Most HOn3 guys use either code 70 or code 55 rail. The prototype larger K series locomotives could not be used on 65 pound rail; they required 80 pound or bigger. Large sections of the D&RGW had to be relaid with the heavier rail. Logging lines typically used 65lb or smaller rail. Code 55 rail typically represents 75lb rail in HO scale. Code 70 represents 100lb rail.Hope this answers your questions. Fred W
Lillen wrote:....First, what is the maximum recommended grade percentage?Second, what Code is the minimum these engines can be run at? I looked at a DVD this morning and the rails are so incredibly small? Will they run on C55 and is their any good available? Or should c70 have to do?Magnus
....First, what is the maximum recommended grade percentage?
Second, what Code is the minimum these engines can be run at? I looked at a DVD this morning and the rails are so incredibly small? Will they run on C55 and is their any good available? Or should c70 have to do?
HOn3 locomotives, being smaller and lighter than their standard gauge bethren, often struggle to haul prototype-size trains up steep grades. Very similar to N engines in that respect. If using the Blackstone K27 or similar rod engines, I would recommend sticking to 3% or lesser grades. Shays or Climax's with all wheel drive, can often haul 3 car trains up a 5% grade. I do recommend testing with your chosen locomotives and cars before commiting to a more than 3% grade.
As I stated in my earlier post, MicroEngineering makes HOn3 flex track with code 40, 55, and 70 rail. However, their turnouts are only in code 55 rail. BK and Railway Engineering also offer turnouts in code 55, and I'm sure Steve Hatch (Railway Engineering) would make some up in code 40 upon request. Most HOn3 guys use either code 70 or code 55 rail. The prototype larger K series locomotives could not be used on 65 pound rail; they required 80 pound or bigger. Large sections of the D&RGW had to be relaid with the heavier rail. Logging lines typically used 65lb or smaller rail. Code 55 rail typically represents 75lb rail in HO scale. Code 70 represents 100lb rail.
Hope this answers your questions.
I think the original post was from someone wanting to mix standard gauge and 3-foot narrow gauge all in HO scale.
On the other hand, I have seen On30 models at train shows, and it is awfully tempting. The advantage of On30, of course, is that it uses HO standard gauge and can utilize HO track, wheelsets, couplers, drivetrains, although you can get more prototypical On30 track from the standpoint of tie widths and spacings.
The other thing is that there is a little gauge license and people model Rio Grande 3-foot narrow gauge locomotives with those outside counterweights in On30 -- Rio Grande never ran 30" narrow gauge, but who cares? The size of the models is really cool from the standpoint of watching steam locomotive rodwork, valve gear, and counterweights in motion -- I am thinking that HOn3 would be scaled down a lot from that and harder to see all of that action. On30 is like getting the coolness factor of watching steam locos in O scale while having it narrow gauge means you have a lot on space so more people can do it.
If GM "killed the electric car", what am I doing standing next to an EV-1, a half a block from the WSOR tracks?
New Haven I-5 wrote: Why not use On30. It is the size of O scale, but runs on HO Scale track. (Bachmann Has DCC & Sound On30 locomotives)
Because that would look really weird?
Lillen wrote: Hi everyone. As someone of you know I'm in the early stages of planing my next layout. It will be H0. Now I've grown fascinated by narrow gauge so I was considering adding a small branch line HOn3 line.But I do have a few questions about this since I know very little to say nothing about this. The layout will be mid 50's. Local have not been determined. But I'm leaning towards a fictional place that will allow me to have both a bit of mountains and plains. 1. Do the HOn3 operate on the same DCC systems as regular HO?2. Which manufacturers produce good track. Since this will be a small part of the layout cost is not so much an issue. Quality is very important, as well as looks. 3. Which manufacturers produce good quality and highly detailed HOn3 equipment. I'm looking to get a mikado and maybe a shay so once again, quality, DCC and looks are the most important aspects. Since I will have so few engines cost is not very important. Cars would also be nice knowing which are good, I plan to use maybe 10-15. A few logging cars, a few passenger cars and some freight cars. Perhaps something from a small mining operation. 4. How large are "broad curves" in HOn3. On my Ho the mainline will be no less then 36". Which is something I consider broad. But naturally I want to use the narrow gauge to have some tighter curves then usual, but not to the extent that operations suffer. 5. What is the difference between HOn3 and HOn30?Thanks for our time, Magnus
Hi everyone.
As someone of you know I'm in the early stages of planing my next layout. It will be H0. Now I've grown fascinated by narrow gauge so I was considering adding a small branch line HOn3 line.
But I do have a few questions about this since I know very little to say nothing about this.
The layout will be mid 50's. Local have not been determined. But I'm leaning towards a fictional place that will allow me to have both a bit of mountains and plains.
1. Do the HOn3 operate on the same DCC systems as regular HO?
2. Which manufacturers produce good track. Since this will be a small part of the layout cost is not so much an issue. Quality is very important, as well as looks.
3. Which manufacturers produce good quality and highly detailed HOn3 equipment. I'm looking to get a mikado and maybe a shay so once again, quality, DCC and looks are the most important aspects. Since I will have so few engines cost is not very important. Cars would also be nice knowing which are good, I plan to use maybe 10-15. A few logging cars, a few passenger cars and some freight cars. Perhaps something from a small mining operation.
4. How large are "broad curves" in HOn3. On my Ho the mainline will be no less then 36". Which is something I consider broad. But naturally I want to use the narrow gauge to have some tighter curves then usual, but not to the extent that operations suffer.
5. What is the difference between HOn3 and HOn30?
Thanks for our time,
- Luke
Modeling the Southern Pacific in the 1960's-1980's
Well I ordered the book from Amazon. It will take a week or two but It seems like a good one. 600 pages is quite a lot for not that much money. I hope it's good.
IRONROOSTER wrote: Lillen wrote: Oh, thanks, I read as "I have this book on American narrow gauge railroads" as a more general description but not as a title. A mistake I think is rather easy to do. I read it the same way and I have the book. The book is by George W. Hilton. It is a very good book. The first section a history of the narrow gauge railroad in America in general, the second section is state by state and gives a short description of the roads in the state - larger roads have a somewhat longer description.EnjoyPaul
Lillen wrote: Oh, thanks, I read as "I have this book on American narrow gauge railroads" as a more general description but not as a title. A mistake I think is rather easy to do.
Oh, thanks, I read as "I have this book on American narrow gauge railroads" as a more general description but not as a title. A mistake I think is rather easy to do.
I read it the same way and I have the book.
The book is by George W. Hilton. It is a very good book. The first section a history of the narrow gauge railroad in America in general, the second section is state by state and gives a short description of the roads in the state - larger roads have a somewhat longer description.
Enjoy
Paul
Thank God, then I do not have to go around and feel stupid!
Lillen wrote:Oh, thanks, I read as "I have this book on American narrow gauge railroads" as a more general description but not as a title. A mistake I think is rather easy to do.
dinwitty wrote: I think the book is...oh, see above....Shay locomotives were made for rough track. sharp curves and heavy grades. I would suppose a regular mainline could go 3 percent to 6 percent, but for them log jimmies up in the hills, you could push to 10 percent.
I think the book is...oh, see above....
Shay locomotives were made for rough track. sharp curves and heavy grades. I would suppose a regular mainline could go 3 percent to 6 percent, but for them log jimmies up in the hills, you could push to 10 percent.
Is there any Code 40 out there and will engine run on it?
Lillen wrote: dinwitty wrote: I have this book on American Narrow Gauge Railroads which about covers any narrow Gauge ever in the US. If yourt looking for anything close to the UP your in luck. East Broad Top might be the best known around but there are plenty of lines that did the same thing EBT does. What book would that be? Any other ideas about books on the topic? Thanks for all that info, I think I'll be creative. Magnus
dinwitty wrote: I have this book on American Narrow Gauge Railroads which about covers any narrow Gauge ever in the US. If yourt looking for anything close to the UP your in luck. East Broad Top might be the best known around but there are plenty of lines that did the same thing EBT does.
I have this book on American Narrow Gauge Railroads which about covers any narrow Gauge ever in the US. If yourt looking for anything close to the UP your in luck. East Broad Top might be the best known around but there are plenty of lines that did the same thing EBT does.
What book would that be? Any other ideas about books on the topic?
Thanks for all that info, I think I'll be creative.
how about code 40...8-D for HOn3 sure.
The same kind of thinking remains true for heavy mainline, heavier rail for mainline, side tracks smaller, really out there tracks code 40...
Thanks all of you have contributed, you guys are an infinite source of knowledge and I like to thank everyone.
I have a few more questions.
First, what is the maximum recommended grade percentage?
The Club I was in started a narrow Gauge and I found a line that ran into Denver. Trying to find a line that had connections to the Colorado and Southern, I found the Denver and Intermountain. But it was Standard Gauge, but its route was perfect to match our clubs freelance but UPish line that ran the same territory as the UP but a different route.
Narrow Gauge lines close to the UP...
Summit County
Utah and Northern (nearly parallels UP around Salt Lake City)
Wasatch & Jordan Valley
Bingham anyon & Camp and Camp Floyd
American Fork
Seems the Salt Lake City area was ripe in Narrow Gauge lines.
Create as you please with freelance, it happened on the prototype.
Ohio and Indiana had also 3 foot lines, most merged to other lines or other business transactions and regauged to standard.