Hey, Geeky! I'm designing a kit for a U26C in TTn3.5 to use an Atlas N scale SD50/60 mech. It will be primarily aimed at representing the NZ variants - phase 1 and 2, rebuilt for single manning, tunnel motor versions, modernized cab and rebuilt long hood etc but I will make South African versions and others (such as Kenya, Indonesia etc) will be available by special order. I'll probably build a Kenyan version for myself as that is what headed our trains between Mombassa and Nairobi when we were on honeymoon.
Actively Doing Narrow Gauge. I am currently modeling a small indoor logging line in Large Scale (1:20.3) on #1 gauge track. I formerly modeled in On30. Although I enjoyed the size and equipment in that scale, I built a logging caboose in Large Scale that I originally built in O scale and fell in love with modeling in LS. Believe it or not, some locos and other supplies are actually no more pricey and even sometimes cheaper that the same items in HO or O scales. Large Scale does take up a lot of space but the detail is fantastic and although there is a lot of good RTR equipment, it's a scratch builder's and detailer's paradise. I also have a Gn15 line (LS on HO track) and can make use of a lot of my On30 locos and track. UPDATE: Jan 2, 2007 I have decided to model in both Large Scale and On30 since I like them both and can't choose just one. I can have the best of both worlds.
Good to see The narrow gaugers still popping on here. I hadn't checked this thread in a while, and just realized I started it about a year ago. And yes the ON30 still beckons.I was looking at some at the local store today. I gotta stick to my guns and get my N scale layout working well. Too many distractions.
Hi guys, yes I am actively in narrow gauge these days. I have come over to the dark side. The On30 models are just too cool to avoid any longer. Besides, in the years I have been doing this I have noticed that my HO layouts had a lot of scratch built stuff that works better in O...I have already freelanced a mainline water tower, a branchline water tower, a station, turntable and some rolling stock. A caboose is on the list for sure. John
If all goes well!!!! If all goes well, I hope to create a scratch built 2 & 3 truck Shay for Zn3/Zm scale. Purely for Logging only. Can you imagine the size of a Zn3/Zm Logging Scene? Huge! Massive! Simply Outstanding! Hobo Tim
WOW!!!!!!!!!! What possibilities.... Imagine the scenery to RR ratio! mg: PLEASE keep us updated. And post photos!!!!!!!!! :thumbs_up: Boxcab E50
What about G scale folk? I am thinking that we should also rebuild our outdoor line since I used to model in that also. I have over an acre of ground just begging for a narrow guage line...(only after the On30 is well under way of course! !)
Bugger, looks like some more kits for me Mark!!:thumbs_up: I'm in the middle of acquiring some Bumble Bee decals too!
Well, I activly dabble in 5/8" scale narrow gauge. Being a 2footer at heart, and running many different makes of 2 ft gauge equipment, it gives me a break from my regular scale of N. 5/8" makes regular 2 rail O gauge track 2ft gauge. Rolling stock is all scrathbuilt out of wood using (usually) athearn trucks, and kdee couplers. My motive power consists of a pair (so far) of rebuilt atlas 6 whl MDT switchers. I have a bunch of older o scale rivarossi flex track, of which i use the rail from, and lay it on hand cut wood ties. The layout i'm working on right now is just going to be a display layout,and something to do when i'm bored around the house. the hard part right now is finding the older atlas turnouts for cheap. THe new ones are far to expensive to cut up. Ken Niagara Falls Ont.
I'll second this request! And please tell us more about your two foot interests. A specific prototype? Or freelance? Boxcab E50
Well, here are a couple shots. They aren't the greatest, but it shows a bit of what i've done. The white (unpainted) locomotive is a former Atlas MDT switcher. I cut out some of the weight, and put a new styrene body on it. It is open on the side the figure is standing on, and you would operate the unit standing up. Because i couldn't find a suitable looking plastic fake motor, i decided it could just be a battery type mine unit. Like most Atlas MDT's, it runs so so. This was my second kitbash. The shot of the plow train shows my first unfinished MDT conversion. It has the original hood, but a new, tall cab to fit the 5/8" scale person. The cars are all scratchbuilt, and work out to be about 30" wide. The shot of the boxcar was my last project. It is rough looking, but hey, it's narrow gauge, what do you expect it to look like. THe doors open and close, and it's made mostly out of cut down stir sticks. It needs to have some stain or something put on it, but i haven't gotten around to that yet. As for my 2 ft interests, well, it's rather odd really. I started with 2 ft about 16 yrs ago when a local amusement park shut down, and the Chance CP Huntington train was moved to a private home in Niagara Falls. Over the years, we laid about 1000ft of track around his 2 acre home, and ran the Chance train on it. We later ran a Brookville and a Ruston Hornsby with a whole whacka flat cars. I was also able to restore a very rare, and unique 1930 Whitcomb, which was dual gauge. It was built for 2ft, but during it's life, someone extended the axles, and added standard gauge wheels to it. Because the drive and braking was on the 2ft (inside frame ) wheels, they were left on. The standard gauge wheels hung out in the air. The engine could run on any standard gauge track, but could not go through a 2ft turnout because of the outside wheels. Sadly, all that is now gone, and i'm left with my 1:1 scale, and my narrow gauge models. Ken
Ok, here's a shot of it as it is right now. Sorry it's not a great shot. I'll try to get some better ones when i get my display layout set up. It still needs a roof, and some other work, but this was my first shot at building a styrene cab. It also has an on off toggle switch to allow you to run/shut off any engine, instead of having an isolated track. Ken
Looks pretty darned good! Is that a scratch built ore car it is pulling? Some pics of that would be cool too John
