Hi All,
I have been in the hobby for over 20 years, on and off, all in HO. I recently became interested in 2-rail O and am curious about switching scales. I was wondering if anyone who has done this has any insight. I am concerned mostly with the logistics of the switch, like what you did with your HO (or other scale) equipment, how O fit in your given space, unexpected issues you encountered, etc...
Also, if anyone has any suggestions for good 2-rail O hobbyshops in the New England area, I'd like to visit one and get my hands on stuff to learn more about it. I'm in Palmer, MA if that helps.
Thanks, Mike
Modeling whatever I can make out of that stash of kits that takes up half my apartment's spare bedroom.
Mike,
Think you may bet better answers by going to the Trains. com sites in the upper righthand corner of this page. Then click on Classic Toy Trains. Most of the folks here are HO and N, the ones that have converted to O have probably gone to the CTT foruns, and will have the pros and cons they have encountered.
I know as some of us have grown older they have switched to a larger scale, but so far I'm holding. I may do a limited layout for my original Lionel stuff, just to display it.
Good luck,
Richard
Back in the late 70's I switched to 2 rail O scale. I kept all my HO (still have it) and started an O scale layout. A move and growing children put the hobby on hold until the early 90's. Because of space problems I decide to change to S scale. Currently I am building an S scale layout. But I have kept all my O scale. At some point I may build small layouts in HO and O just to run what I have.
I don't know about hobby shops in New England (I live in Virginia). Hobby shops around here that used to have 2 rail O scale disappeared years ago - there aren't any with S any more either.
I suggest you give serious consideration to a 3 rail hirail O scale layout. There's a lot available that is the correct 1/48 scale and is well detailed. The minimum radius needed is considerably smaller. Plus you can find it easily.
Good luck
Paul
Thanks fellas, the input is appreciated.
I am aware of the need for a larger layout space should I make the switch. Right now I've not bought any O, nor sold my HO, so this is just research really.
One reason I'm looking is that I enjoy kitbashing, scratchbuilding, detailing, etc... but my big ex-football player fingers make that difficult sometimes.
I will hop over to the CTT forum and see what they have to say.
I'm happy working in HO.
But I STILL recall being at a club where someone was running an O scale NP North Coast Limited.
Oh, my. THAT was impressive. And it stayed that way for the whole evening.
Ed
I think you need to meet active O scalers and visit their home layouts and their club layouts. That's the only way you'll get familiar with the characteristics of O scale, the differences, and the challenges. If you do make the switch, these are the folks you'll need to rely on for support and help.
Tom
If we are indeed talking O scale two rail, those are not toys and the guys over at CTT forums may well send you right back here to Model Railroader's tent.
Largely but not exclusively due to Atlas, this is a pretty good time to be an O scale two-rail scale model railroader. Now and then I do get tempted by O especially when I see the Atlas O offerings at Milwaukee's Trainfest (which is coming up soon by the way). And there are offerings by MTH and yes, Lionel, that look very nice as well.
Even if it was just an SW type switcher or two and a couple dozen 40' freight cars, I have always been intrigued by the Zach & Southern O scale track plan that was published in the October 1966 Model Railroader, page 33. If you have the all access pass to back issues, take a look. I have the space for that layout. Most of us would, I think.
Dave Nelson
I am intrigued by the potential of 2-rail. The Atlas offerings look awesome, escpecially since there's an RS-1 available.
I have been reading alot about David Stewarts Appalachian and Ohio, which is very impressive. There are some videos out there of trains running that are very impressive.
I do not have access to that 1966 issue. Is it a switching layout?
Since you're already "admitting" you're very fond of the Atlas RS-1, you might just consider popping for one plus a freight car or caboose. You can explore the physical relationships and, if it doesn't work out, you've got a mantle decoration. That's what happened with my exploration of scale O.
Tom (above) also put it nicely: Get some real physical experience with O and see if it sticks. Or not.
I'd suggest going to the O-Gauge Railroading magazine website and checking it out, including their forums:
http://ogrforum.ogaugerr.com/forums
BTW, you might not be aware (most folks aren't), but a high percentage of three-rail modellers are what are called "high railers", building 1:48 scale layouts but using three-rail propulsion instead of two-rail. An advantage of 3-rail is even the largest equipment can go around an 072 (36" radius) curve, and many scale pieces can take a sharper curve. In two rail, 36" radius is getting around the minimum radius. Keep in mind Atlas makes many of the same engines and cars for two- or three-rail, and makes very realistic three-rail track.
Here's an example of high-railing, Norm Charbonneau's layout has been used by Atlas in it's catalogues....
https://www.youtube.com/user/normcharbonneau