QUOTE: Originally posted by GoodoleBob Getting old has many ups and downs to it. For my hobby it has come to mean increasing problems with dexterity in rerailing cars, and with that delicate touch in handling detailed models, with even seeing those details. The joy of over 36 years of HO is starting to become a liabilty now. I want......lets make that need something bigger to help hold off my failing capabilites. I looked at that G-scale project tony Koester did over this past summer and it has a lot of appeal. That sort of project or one done in O scale would suit me. I like the quality of detail O scale has over the G trains I've seen. I don't particularly want to handlay any track anymore either. The code 148 is okay but much better yet the code 125 is what I like to looks of. I seem limited to a very few code 148 turnouts from Atlas (#5's) and the rest is just components used for handlaying. So can someone much more familiar with O scale tell me what I can do track wise to keep it easy, and with some amount of flexibility too while using code 125. I'd appreciate it. Goodolebob
The Dixie D Short Line "Lux Lucet In Tenebris Nihil Igitur Mors Est Ad Nos 2001"
QUOTE: Originally posted by Ted E. Bear The best O gauge can be found here www.mth-railking.com
Originally posted by On30Shay Hay Bob, welcom to the forum! Why not look into On30? there sure are ALOT of nice things on the market nowadays. Thanks for the welcome! I see the On30 and mostly just the bachmann equipment...I never see any track. I tend to enjoy the early diesel era (50's) for modeling, and the older steam they show is a bit off the era for me. But do you have a few sites you could recommend I look at for a better perspective on that On30 scale? My mind is wide open. Goodolebob Reply rolleiman Member sinceAugust 2005 From: Michigan 1,550 posts Posted by rolleiman on Monday, December 19, 2005 7:52 PM Have you considered S scale or are you really looking to make a bigger jump.. I know you said O or G so the S scale suggestion may be out of order.. I think the On30 uses HO scale track (or at least the same rail spacing, could be wrong about that though).. Jeff Modeling the Wabash from Detroit to Montpelier Jeff Reply GoodoleBob Member sinceDecember 2005 25 posts Posted by GoodoleBob on Monday, December 19, 2005 8:04 PM QUOTE: Originally posted by rolleiman Have you considered S scale or are you really looking to make a bigger jump.. I know you said O or G so the S scale suggestion may be out of order.. I think the On30 uses HO scale track (or at least the same rail spacing, could be wrong about that though).. Jeff Yes Jeff a bigger jump is on my mind. Loved my old Fliers though. Those On30 trains, because of the backwoods style of stuff they seem to be concentrating on is nicer when used on track with wider tie spacing than conventional HO typically has. Yes I could alter flex track to be that way, but what about the turnouts? Think it would ruin them. I forget who I saw selling such track and turnouts. Peco or somebody? They sure keep such basic stuff an almost secret for goodness sake. They sure want to sell locos but show me the track please. When was the last place we see On30 track being advertised in big clear color photos? Maybe another part about being old is i'm getting cranky too. Hah...I think so! Goodolebob Reply MisterBeasley Member sinceDecember 2004 From: Bedford, MA, USA 21,481 posts Posted by MisterBeasley on Monday, December 19, 2005 8:15 PM Bob - please ignore Mr. Bear. He's either a merchandising hack from MTH, or a sadly unbalanced individual. More to be pitied than censored, my Mom used to say. In any case, his views are not particularly objective. Instead, take a look at the Garden Railways forum for G-Gauge stuff. I'm really impressed by Marty Cozad's work. He's got an incredible outdoor layout, in the mild summery year-round climate of ... Nebraska? Yeah, he plows real snow with his trains. I personally am working in HO. I had O-gauge when I was a kid, but switched to HO in my teen years. As I approach retirement, I thought briefly of N-gauge, but like you I realized that I couldn't see them well enough to maintain them. I've now come to terms with HO, with magnifying lenses and a new pair of bifocals. To my surprise and delight, I've discovered that my hand has actually steadied with practice, and I can do detailed painting now, much better than I could before I re-started my railroading activities. It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse. Reply Anonymous Member sinceApril 2003 305,205 posts Posted by Anonymous on Monday, December 19, 2005 8:18 PM try posting in the garden scale forum, you'd get better responses on this subject from those that focus on O and higher scales. Reply Edit Anonymous Member sinceApril 2003 305,205 posts Posted by Anonymous on Monday, December 19, 2005 9:09 PM On30 uses HO scale track. That's one reason it's so popular. QUOTE: Originally posted by GoodoleBob Originally posted by On30Shay Hay Bob, welcom to the forum! Why not look into On30? there sure are ALOT of nice things on the market nowadays. Thanks for the welcome! I see the On30 and mostly just the bachmann equipment...I never see any track. I tend to enjoy the early diesel era (50's) for modeling, and the older steam they show is a bit off the era for me. But do you have a few sites you could recommend I look at for a better perspective on that On30 scale? My mind is wide open. Goodolebob Reply Edit tsgtbob Member sinceDecember 2004 From: Shanksville PA 311 posts Posted by tsgtbob on Tuesday, December 20, 2005 11:42 AM Ok kiddies, I heard O SCALE mentioned, and the radar kicked in!!![:D] If you are moving from HO scale, O Gauge will drive you completly nuts. Most of the stuff is driven, in the past 15 years or so, by a vendetta by MTH aginst Lionel. Let's out produce each other, not make what a cousumer will buy. (end of rant) Now, O scale is very much alive and well. Atlas has moved into the O scale market starting with a very nicly made RS-1, and are currently making a lot of late Alcos, as well as a GP-60 and a GE 4 axle unit. Weaver is still the best buy in O scale. Not only that, they still make their "Bread and Butter" locos right here in the USA!!! Look for the RS-3, FA/FB2, GP-38, as well as many of their freight cars. http://www.weavermodels.com/ Another online resourse is http://ogaugerr.infopop.cc/groupee/forums/a/frm/f/3181048701 Atlas makes track in 2 rail, as does Old Pullman. NorthWest Shortline makes kits to convert MTH 3 rail diesels to 2 rail. I converted to 2 rail O about 10 years ago, and have never regreted the move. Now that I am past 40, I appreciate the move even more, as details are easier to see, and I have discovered the Joy of scratchbuilding sturctures. Come over to the Dark Side Luke! (Vader to his son Luke Skywalker) [8D] Reply waltersrails Member sinceJuly 2005 From: CSXT/B&O Flora IL 1,937 posts Posted by waltersrails on Tuesday, December 20, 2005 11:48 AM O scale sounds good im sorry to hear you not getting HO any more. good luck with the scale you pic. I like NS but CSX has the B&O. Reply rolleiman Member sinceAugust 2005 From: Michigan 1,550 posts Posted by rolleiman on Tuesday, December 20, 2005 12:26 PM QUOTE: Originally posted by tsgtbob . Atlas has moved into the O scale market starting with a very nicly made RS-1, and are currently making a lot of late Alcos, as well as a GP-60 and a GE 4 axle unit. I don't know what all of thier offerings were but Atlas has been in the O scale market for years.. Jeff Modeling the Wabash from Detroit to Montpelier Jeff Reply GoodoleBob Member sinceDecember 2005 25 posts Posted by GoodoleBob on Tuesday, December 20, 2005 12:35 PM Okay gang, I let this question ride for 24 hours, and I got an assortment of comments. All appreciated too. But nobody gave any info on my basic question about what to do and where to go for good 2 rail scale track. I mean flex lengths which is easy enough to find I'll admit, and also a turnout selection beyond the very very few offered by Atlas. Old Pullman seems to be missing from view except by way of email....I want to see what is available for ready to use track...no handlaying. Don't tell me "O" Scale is still this far behind HO for basic stuff. It use to be the place where handlaying was required...is it still???? GoodoleBob Reply Anonymous Member sinceApril 2003 305,205 posts Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, December 20, 2005 12:51 PM Bob, I'll help you out here.I READ your post and understand what you are saying.For 2RAIL O SCALE track check out this link for Old Pullman http://oldpullmanmodelrailroads.com/ They have switches and flextrack in CODE 125 RAIL.It's a bit pricey,but seems it would be worth it.For locomotives and cars Atlas and Weaver would be your best bet.No need to convert that 3rail crap to good 2 rail O scale.And both Atlas and Weaver will accept Kadee O scale couplers easily.You can check out O Scale News magazines website and check out their list of suppliers to get a better idea of what's available. http://users.foxvalley.net/~osn/ Let me know if I can be of further assistance on this. Have a good one. Bill Iowa Reply Edit tsgtbob Member sinceDecember 2004 From: Shanksville PA 311 posts Posted by tsgtbob on Tuesday, December 20, 2005 2:35 PM QUOTE: Originally posted by rolleiman QUOTE: Originally posted by tsgtbob . Atlas has moved into the O scale market starting with a very nicly made RS-1, and are currently making a lot of late Alcos, as well as a GP-60 and a GE 4 axle unit. I don't know what all of thier offerings were but Atlas has been in the O scale market for years.. Jeff Atlas left the O scale market in the mid 70's and returned to it about '99 or 2000. I didn't catch the code 125 reference, sorry. I use Atlas code 148, a combination of old production and new, and really can't see the big difference in operation or appearance between the two. As for switches, I have always handlaid mine, so I was not stuck with a compromise in my layout design. Converting the "three rail crap" is a pain, but, there are some really nice cars and locos being done in 3 rail, plus, when it hits the blowout bins, there is some really good deals to be had. I have bought this stuff cheaper than a new Athearn "blue box" loco. An example of this was the MTH Susquehanna FP-45 that I bought for $99.00 last year. This was an already converted by the factory unit, and runs GREAT! Reply GoodoleBob Member sinceDecember 2005 25 posts Posted by GoodoleBob on Tuesday, December 20, 2005 2:53 PM QUOTE: Originally posted by bill52402 Bob, I'll help you out here.I READ your post and understand what you are saying.For 2RAIL O SCALE track check out this link for Old Pullman http://oldpullmanmodelrailroads.com/ They have switches and flextrack in CODE 125 RAIL.It's a bit pricey,but seems it would be worth it.For locomotives and cars Atlas and Weaver would be your best bet.No need to convert that 3rail crap to good 2 rail O scale.And both Atlas and Weaver will accept Kadee O scale couplers easily.You can check out O Scale News magazines website and check out their list of suppliers to get a better idea of what's available. http://users.foxvalley.net/~osn/ Let me know if I can be of further assistance on this. Have a good one. Bill Iowa WOW Bill....you hit the nail square on it's head. Absolutely great feedback!!!! Now I can get this idea going forward. I thank you for taking the time to write. Made my day for sure. GoodoleBob Reply Anonymous Member sinceApril 2003 305,205 posts Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, December 20, 2005 3:28 PM Bob, Something else I forgot to mention that many don't know about is that O scale brass engines from the 70's and 80's can be purchased for about the same prices as new plastic engines on the market now.US Hobbies F45's,SD45's,and GP35's are said to be good running engines even today and can be purchased on the used market for around $400 from what I've seen.Accurate O Scale has or had 2 USH/Max Gray GP9's painted Texas & Pacific for at or below $400 each.You should also consider this brass alternative as these are all 2 rail and should only need some tuning up to be great engines. Have a good one. Bill Iowa Reply Edit andrechapelon Member sinceSeptember 2002 From: California & Maine 3,848 posts Posted by andrechapelon on Tuesday, December 20, 2005 4:10 PM QUOTE: Originally posted by GoodoleBob QUOTE: Originally posted by rolleiman Have you considered S scale or are you really looking to make a bigger jump.. I know you said O or G so the S scale suggestion may be out of order.. I think the On30 uses HO scale track (or at least the same rail spacing, could be wrong about that though).. Jeff Yes Jeff a bigger jump is on my mind. Loved my old Fliers though. Those On30 trains, because of the backwoods style of stuff they seem to be concentrating on is nicer when used on track with wider tie spacing than conventional HO typically has. Yes I could alter flex track to be that way, but what about the turnouts? Think it would ruin them. I forget who I saw selling such track and turnouts. Peco or somebody? They sure keep such basic stuff an almost secret for goodness sake. They sure want to sell locos but show me the track please. When was the last place we see On30 track being advertised in big clear color photos? Maybe another part about being old is i'm getting cranky too. Hah...I think so! Goodolebob Peco track: http://www.peco-uk.com/grafix/stream2.pdf[/ur]. You can order a Peco catalogue online. Walthers carries Peco and apparently has some of the track in stock [url]http://www.walthers.com/exec/search?quick=peco+on30 If you don't want to order the Peco catalog from Peco direct, you can order it from Walthers. Andre It's really kind of hard to support your local hobby shop when the nearest hobby shop that's worth the name is a 150 mile roundtrip. Reply Subscriber & Member Login Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more! Login Register Users Online There are no community member online Search the Community ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT Model Railroader Newsletter See all Sign up for our FREE e-newsletter and get model railroad news in your inbox! Sign up
QUOTE: Originally posted by rolleiman Have you considered S scale or are you really looking to make a bigger jump.. I know you said O or G so the S scale suggestion may be out of order.. I think the On30 uses HO scale track (or at least the same rail spacing, could be wrong about that though).. Jeff
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
QUOTE: Originally posted by GoodoleBob Originally posted by On30Shay Hay Bob, welcom to the forum! Why not look into On30? there sure are ALOT of nice things on the market nowadays. Thanks for the welcome! I see the On30 and mostly just the bachmann equipment...I never see any track. I tend to enjoy the early diesel era (50's) for modeling, and the older steam they show is a bit off the era for me. But do you have a few sites you could recommend I look at for a better perspective on that On30 scale? My mind is wide open. Goodolebob Reply Edit tsgtbob Member sinceDecember 2004 From: Shanksville PA 311 posts Posted by tsgtbob on Tuesday, December 20, 2005 11:42 AM Ok kiddies, I heard O SCALE mentioned, and the radar kicked in!!![:D] If you are moving from HO scale, O Gauge will drive you completly nuts. Most of the stuff is driven, in the past 15 years or so, by a vendetta by MTH aginst Lionel. Let's out produce each other, not make what a cousumer will buy. (end of rant) Now, O scale is very much alive and well. Atlas has moved into the O scale market starting with a very nicly made RS-1, and are currently making a lot of late Alcos, as well as a GP-60 and a GE 4 axle unit. Weaver is still the best buy in O scale. Not only that, they still make their "Bread and Butter" locos right here in the USA!!! Look for the RS-3, FA/FB2, GP-38, as well as many of their freight cars. http://www.weavermodels.com/ Another online resourse is http://ogaugerr.infopop.cc/groupee/forums/a/frm/f/3181048701 Atlas makes track in 2 rail, as does Old Pullman. NorthWest Shortline makes kits to convert MTH 3 rail diesels to 2 rail. I converted to 2 rail O about 10 years ago, and have never regreted the move. Now that I am past 40, I appreciate the move even more, as details are easier to see, and I have discovered the Joy of scratchbuilding sturctures. Come over to the Dark Side Luke! (Vader to his son Luke Skywalker) [8D] Reply waltersrails Member sinceJuly 2005 From: CSXT/B&O Flora IL 1,937 posts Posted by waltersrails on Tuesday, December 20, 2005 11:48 AM O scale sounds good im sorry to hear you not getting HO any more. good luck with the scale you pic. I like NS but CSX has the B&O. Reply rolleiman Member sinceAugust 2005 From: Michigan 1,550 posts Posted by rolleiman on Tuesday, December 20, 2005 12:26 PM QUOTE: Originally posted by tsgtbob . Atlas has moved into the O scale market starting with a very nicly made RS-1, and are currently making a lot of late Alcos, as well as a GP-60 and a GE 4 axle unit. I don't know what all of thier offerings were but Atlas has been in the O scale market for years.. Jeff Modeling the Wabash from Detroit to Montpelier Jeff Reply GoodoleBob Member sinceDecember 2005 25 posts Posted by GoodoleBob on Tuesday, December 20, 2005 12:35 PM Okay gang, I let this question ride for 24 hours, and I got an assortment of comments. All appreciated too. But nobody gave any info on my basic question about what to do and where to go for good 2 rail scale track. I mean flex lengths which is easy enough to find I'll admit, and also a turnout selection beyond the very very few offered by Atlas. Old Pullman seems to be missing from view except by way of email....I want to see what is available for ready to use track...no handlaying. Don't tell me "O" Scale is still this far behind HO for basic stuff. It use to be the place where handlaying was required...is it still???? GoodoleBob Reply Anonymous Member sinceApril 2003 305,205 posts Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, December 20, 2005 12:51 PM Bob, I'll help you out here.I READ your post and understand what you are saying.For 2RAIL O SCALE track check out this link for Old Pullman http://oldpullmanmodelrailroads.com/ They have switches and flextrack in CODE 125 RAIL.It's a bit pricey,but seems it would be worth it.For locomotives and cars Atlas and Weaver would be your best bet.No need to convert that 3rail crap to good 2 rail O scale.And both Atlas and Weaver will accept Kadee O scale couplers easily.You can check out O Scale News magazines website and check out their list of suppliers to get a better idea of what's available. http://users.foxvalley.net/~osn/ Let me know if I can be of further assistance on this. Have a good one. Bill Iowa Reply Edit tsgtbob Member sinceDecember 2004 From: Shanksville PA 311 posts Posted by tsgtbob on Tuesday, December 20, 2005 2:35 PM QUOTE: Originally posted by rolleiman QUOTE: Originally posted by tsgtbob . Atlas has moved into the O scale market starting with a very nicly made RS-1, and are currently making a lot of late Alcos, as well as a GP-60 and a GE 4 axle unit. I don't know what all of thier offerings were but Atlas has been in the O scale market for years.. Jeff Atlas left the O scale market in the mid 70's and returned to it about '99 or 2000. I didn't catch the code 125 reference, sorry. I use Atlas code 148, a combination of old production and new, and really can't see the big difference in operation or appearance between the two. As for switches, I have always handlaid mine, so I was not stuck with a compromise in my layout design. Converting the "three rail crap" is a pain, but, there are some really nice cars and locos being done in 3 rail, plus, when it hits the blowout bins, there is some really good deals to be had. I have bought this stuff cheaper than a new Athearn "blue box" loco. An example of this was the MTH Susquehanna FP-45 that I bought for $99.00 last year. This was an already converted by the factory unit, and runs GREAT! Reply GoodoleBob Member sinceDecember 2005 25 posts Posted by GoodoleBob on Tuesday, December 20, 2005 2:53 PM QUOTE: Originally posted by bill52402 Bob, I'll help you out here.I READ your post and understand what you are saying.For 2RAIL O SCALE track check out this link for Old Pullman http://oldpullmanmodelrailroads.com/ They have switches and flextrack in CODE 125 RAIL.It's a bit pricey,but seems it would be worth it.For locomotives and cars Atlas and Weaver would be your best bet.No need to convert that 3rail crap to good 2 rail O scale.And both Atlas and Weaver will accept Kadee O scale couplers easily.You can check out O Scale News magazines website and check out their list of suppliers to get a better idea of what's available. http://users.foxvalley.net/~osn/ Let me know if I can be of further assistance on this. Have a good one. Bill Iowa WOW Bill....you hit the nail square on it's head. Absolutely great feedback!!!! Now I can get this idea going forward. I thank you for taking the time to write. Made my day for sure. GoodoleBob Reply Anonymous Member sinceApril 2003 305,205 posts Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, December 20, 2005 3:28 PM Bob, Something else I forgot to mention that many don't know about is that O scale brass engines from the 70's and 80's can be purchased for about the same prices as new plastic engines on the market now.US Hobbies F45's,SD45's,and GP35's are said to be good running engines even today and can be purchased on the used market for around $400 from what I've seen.Accurate O Scale has or had 2 USH/Max Gray GP9's painted Texas & Pacific for at or below $400 each.You should also consider this brass alternative as these are all 2 rail and should only need some tuning up to be great engines. Have a good one. Bill Iowa Reply Edit andrechapelon Member sinceSeptember 2002 From: California & Maine 3,848 posts Posted by andrechapelon on Tuesday, December 20, 2005 4:10 PM QUOTE: Originally posted by GoodoleBob QUOTE: Originally posted by rolleiman Have you considered S scale or are you really looking to make a bigger jump.. I know you said O or G so the S scale suggestion may be out of order.. I think the On30 uses HO scale track (or at least the same rail spacing, could be wrong about that though).. Jeff Yes Jeff a bigger jump is on my mind. Loved my old Fliers though. Those On30 trains, because of the backwoods style of stuff they seem to be concentrating on is nicer when used on track with wider tie spacing than conventional HO typically has. Yes I could alter flex track to be that way, but what about the turnouts? Think it would ruin them. I forget who I saw selling such track and turnouts. Peco or somebody? They sure keep such basic stuff an almost secret for goodness sake. They sure want to sell locos but show me the track please. When was the last place we see On30 track being advertised in big clear color photos? Maybe another part about being old is i'm getting cranky too. Hah...I think so! Goodolebob Peco track: http://www.peco-uk.com/grafix/stream2.pdf[/ur]. You can order a Peco catalogue online. Walthers carries Peco and apparently has some of the track in stock [url]http://www.walthers.com/exec/search?quick=peco+on30 If you don't want to order the Peco catalog from Peco direct, you can order it from Walthers. Andre It's really kind of hard to support your local hobby shop when the nearest hobby shop that's worth the name is a 150 mile roundtrip. Reply Subscriber & Member Login Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more! Login Register Users Online There are no community member online Search the Community ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT Model Railroader Newsletter See all Sign up for our FREE e-newsletter and get model railroad news in your inbox! Sign up
Originally posted by On30Shay Hay Bob, welcom to the forum! Why not look into On30? there sure are ALOT of nice things on the market nowadays. Thanks for the welcome! I see the On30 and mostly just the bachmann equipment...I never see any track. I tend to enjoy the early diesel era (50's) for modeling, and the older steam they show is a bit off the era for me. But do you have a few sites you could recommend I look at for a better perspective on that On30 scale? My mind is wide open. Goodolebob
QUOTE: Originally posted by tsgtbob . Atlas has moved into the O scale market starting with a very nicly made RS-1, and are currently making a lot of late Alcos, as well as a GP-60 and a GE 4 axle unit.
QUOTE: Originally posted by rolleiman QUOTE: Originally posted by tsgtbob . Atlas has moved into the O scale market starting with a very nicly made RS-1, and are currently making a lot of late Alcos, as well as a GP-60 and a GE 4 axle unit. I don't know what all of thier offerings were but Atlas has been in the O scale market for years.. Jeff
QUOTE: Originally posted by bill52402 Bob, I'll help you out here.I READ your post and understand what you are saying.For 2RAIL O SCALE track check out this link for Old Pullman http://oldpullmanmodelrailroads.com/ They have switches and flextrack in CODE 125 RAIL.It's a bit pricey,but seems it would be worth it.For locomotives and cars Atlas and Weaver would be your best bet.No need to convert that 3rail crap to good 2 rail O scale.And both Atlas and Weaver will accept Kadee O scale couplers easily.You can check out O Scale News magazines website and check out their list of suppliers to get a better idea of what's available. http://users.foxvalley.net/~osn/ Let me know if I can be of further assistance on this. Have a good one. Bill Iowa
QUOTE: Originally posted by GoodoleBob QUOTE: Originally posted by rolleiman Have you considered S scale or are you really looking to make a bigger jump.. I know you said O or G so the S scale suggestion may be out of order.. I think the On30 uses HO scale track (or at least the same rail spacing, could be wrong about that though).. Jeff Yes Jeff a bigger jump is on my mind. Loved my old Fliers though. Those On30 trains, because of the backwoods style of stuff they seem to be concentrating on is nicer when used on track with wider tie spacing than conventional HO typically has. Yes I could alter flex track to be that way, but what about the turnouts? Think it would ruin them. I forget who I saw selling such track and turnouts. Peco or somebody? They sure keep such basic stuff an almost secret for goodness sake. They sure want to sell locos but show me the track please. When was the last place we see On30 track being advertised in big clear color photos? Maybe another part about being old is i'm getting cranky too. Hah...I think so! Goodolebob