Proto 87

1113 views

3 replies

Anonymous

Member since
April 2003
305,205 posts

Proto 87

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, February 18, 2003 3:25 PM

what is it and the difference btwn. our HO scale

Reply
Edit

nfmisso

Member since
December 2001
From: San Jose, California
3,154 posts

Posted by nfmisso on Tuesday, February 18, 2003 4:05 PM

Proto87 is a USA based "standard" to make the track work and wheel exactly 1/87 scale. It is a copy of the UK's Proto4 (4mm to a foot) initiative.

For example, wheel treads on P87 are .064" wide, versus .110" wide for NMRA RP25. Flange ways on switches and crossings are a lot tighter with P87.

Generally, P87 equipment will not run wheel through standard switches and crossings, and visa versa, because to the different tread widths, flange depths and flange widths.

.088" tread wheels offerred by Athearn Genesis, NWSL and others is about half way in between. On well layed track, they seem to have no problem, and the .088" tread definitely looks better on tank cars, hoppers, etc, any car where the width of the wheels is very noticeable.

Nigel

Nigel

Nigel N&W in HO scale, 1950 - 1955 (..and some a bit newer too) Now in San Jose, California

rogerhensley

Member since
June 2001
From: Anderson Indiana
1,301 posts

Posted by rogerhensley on Wednesday, February 19, 2003 7:55 AM

Good answer. The .088 wheelsets fall more into the 'Fine Scale' Standards and RPs of the NMRA. Those have been around for a long time. The Proto87 is more recent and much more unforgiving. It looks great, but it better be right on. :-)

See http://www.nmra.org/stabndards/ for regular and Fine Scale St&RPs

Roger

Roger Hensley
= ECI Railroad - http://madisonrails.railfan.net/eci/eci_new.html =
= Railroads of Madison County - http://madisonrails.railfan.net/ =

rogerhensley

Member since
June 2001
From: Anderson Indiana
1,301 posts

Posted by rogerhensley on Wednesday, February 19, 2003 7:58 AM

Darn this not being able to edit your own posts!!!

I had a typo in the NMRA URL. It is:
http://www.nmra.org/standards/

Roger

Roger Hensley
= ECI Railroad - http://madisonrails.railfan.net/eci/eci_new.html =
= Railroads of Madison County - http://madisonrails.railfan.net/ =

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!

Model Railroader Newsletter See all

Sign up for our FREE e-newsletter and get model railroad news in your inbox!

Subscriber & Member Login

Proto 87

Subscriber & Member Login

Users Online

Search the Community