Poll: Getting more G scalers to this board

EMD trainman Apr 19, 2009

  1. DSP&P fan

    DSP&P fan TrainBoard Member

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    I've never noticed the animosity between the various camps in large scale...but I rarely visit many large scale forums.

    When I hear G-scale...I think of two things: 1:22.5 and a generic term for all of large scale trains. LGB was a toy train line...but I have always enjoyed it and didn't need the Gazette's prompting to consider it to be worthy of use by modelers. Yeah, LGB did rubber axle quite a bit (the Stainz is a 30" gauge prototype, not meter gauge)...but I enjoy Austrian NG trains...so it doesn't bother me enough to not enjoy it/want one.

    How is 1:29 any different from 2-rail O-scale? Or the older 1:24 (which had quite a bit of scratch builders and craftsman kits)? 1:29 runs on 51" gauge track...2-rail O runs on 60" gauge track. 1:24 ran on 42" gauge track. What about that small, die hard community of 29n2 people? Personally, for the money, I think that Aristo's 2-8-8-2 is wonderful. I don't ask the modeler whom buys one why it runs on 51" track, I ask Aristo why they screwed that up...regardless, it want one.

    I like F-scale not only for the offerings...but because I do care about the track gauge more than the average person (afterall, I am an On3er...and aspire to built some Proto:48 stuff). Clearly not every does...otherwise, On30 wouldn't be anywhere near as popular as it is (nor would the engine that build large scale...the LGB mogul). I would guess that talk about disliking F-scalers would probably hurt more than anything else could help the board. I think EMD Trainman is right that most aren't jerks...as I've found that the jerk distribution is generally equal across the modeling spectrum.

    I think I've seen just as many ugly "scratch builds" and "kitbashes" in Fn3 as in 1:22.5, 1:24, 1:29, and 1:32. And how many scales actually have commonly available scale size rail/track components? None of the above...nor O...nor HO...nor N. If you are having fun and let others know, they'll have fun to. Some do care about the details, but most only care that you are enjoying yourself.

    Michael
     
  2. John Easterwood

    John Easterwood TrainBoard Member

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    I am a newby to TrainBoard and the forums. I have been in darn near every gauge and scale out there in 70+ years of modeling; really like narrow gauge because of the scenery and historical aspects regardless of the scale. Enjoyed attending National Narrow Gauge Conventions over the years; never ceased to be amazed by the workmanship and the great folks in the hobby. Everyone in the hobby has their own special interests and their own boat to row, but all seem to equally enjoy meeting other modellers and chewing the fat. An artist has to have an audience to encourage his talents; there has to be feedback - hence forums, galleries, etc. Few hobbies have as much visual feedback as model railroading; I have met the best "amateur" photographers in this hobby. Give us pictures, describe construction techniques, and I don't care what gauge or scale you are in. I can admire N and Z scalers work even if I can't see it as well as I could when I was in those scales. I love G scale because I am a cheap bugger. A fencing contractor lets me gather scrap pieces of cedar pickets off the worksite. A Proxxon table saw converts those scraps into scale lumber - next step is scratchbuilding rolling stock and buildings. Another tile contractor generates scrap pieces of backerboard; great for buildings on an exterior layout. With my eyesight and humble abilities, I am not much of a rivet counter; most of you folks would find my masterpieces shabby at best; but, none of you have any more enjoyment from the effort. It's a hobby; it is suppose to be fun, not work. I will learn off you folks and that will keep me coming back for more. Thanks in advance. John Easterwood, Chief Engineer on the Ding Dong to Flat Railway - All across Bell County Texas.
     
    FriscoCharlie likes this.
  3. peterdekeles

    peterdekeles TrainBoard Member

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    Well, I have been trying to be more social this year. I don't do social media. So here goes.

    The fact that it's been 6 1/2 years prior to John Easterwood's post and now mine 3 1/2 months later may speak volumes for Garden Trains. If anyone wants to get this thing going I'll help. I always have pictures and video on my phone to show people when I tell them about my trains. It dispels the Toy Train/Christmas tree idea of Garden Trains. Unfortunately with the demise of Aristocraft and other smaller companies, I don't see the hobby growing. Maybe my grandson will pickup the baton? My other kids 18-27 years old have no interest.

    I love it for many reasons, but it's a lot of work. I don't feel that current generations want to take the time to build, nor do they have the resources (land, money, supporting their family). It is much easier to grab an interior door for $10 and set up some smaller scale stuff or join a club layout to get your train fix.

    Even if one of you wants to communicate I will write back. It's my resolution this year.

    Peter
     
    FriscoCharlie and J911 like this.
  4. J911

    J911 TrainBoard Member

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    The problem I see is the lack of people in the scale. Providers and options are really slim and the prices are high! I left the scale a few years back because it breaks your bank.lol

    Sent from my SM-G920P using Tapatalk
     
  5. ScaleCraft

    ScaleCraft TrainBoard Member

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    If you listened to Russ Reinberg, the hobby has been dying for decades.
    We are losing manufacturers, businesses, suppliers, and people at an alarming rate.
    LGB FINALLY was bought up by someone who might just make a go of it.
    Aristo is gone, and it doesn't look like Scott is going to pull that rabbit out of the hat anytime soon.
    Bachmann has cut back on units in a run, double or even tripled MSRP, has no parts, and they wonder what happened.
    USA seems to be going strong.
    Delton died, and when Aristo tried to resuscitate it, they killed it again, probably permanently.
    Hartland is still around, and between making (top secret classified government) stuff they find time to churn out some stuff.
    The older folks are dying, youngsters don't care.
    We even have Smart Phone control of trains to entice the younger non-social crowd, but nobody cares.
    I have my railroad, my equipment, and I don't need any more, so the sales of new stuff to a lot of us just isn't gonna happen.
    Magazines cry the blues...manufacturers go away, some just stop advertising (or go to "postcard" advertising...go figure).
    Folks that write in-depth reviews are lambasted by manufacturers, yet every time, what was mentioned as a problem comes true. So they give up, and no more reviews worth a hoot.
    Conventions are often poorly attended by dealers/manufacturers/suppliers any more, and not a whole lot of us can afford the money it takes to do them every year....so those are probably not going to last much longer.
     
  6. peterdekeles

    peterdekeles TrainBoard Member

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    Good point of not needing anything. Last thing I need is another engine or rolling stock. I'm just trying to keep up on the maintenance. A lot of small projects, but they will be scratch built. Just very happy I collected a little at a time for many years and I am able to do the work myself. Living in an underpopulated area it really is a self relient hobby. Guess that's what I like. Many ways to accomplish the same task.

    I started building a small HO shelf layout this winter. 8' X 30". I have collected way too much HO over the years for that "someday" layout. Still fun though. I think HO has gotten smaller over the years. It may just be my eyes
     
  7. ScaleCraft

    ScaleCraft TrainBoard Member

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    Something you don't see very often. An LGB flat with Aristo couplers.
     
  8. peterdekeles

    peterdekeles TrainBoard Member

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    It's my battery car for my SD45 and RS3

    Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G920A using Tapatalk
     
  9. oldrk

    oldrk TrainBoard Supporter

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    Gee...I mean G. I bought my first G scale set when Bachmann came out with the remote control set with the 4-6-0 with the plastic wheels. Still have it somewhere... I was an N scale guy and still am. But.....some how I have swerved into G again. I have been collecting G stuff for about two years. I get into the N forum on a semi regular basis, but haven't really gotten into this forum much. Not sure why. But I am here!
     
  10. FriscoCharlie

    FriscoCharlie Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    I have three G Scale boxcars and one hopper. If a Frisco locomotive ever becomes available (and I can afford it) I will buy some track and figure out some way to do something in G.

    Charlie
     
  11. ScaleCraft

    ScaleCraft TrainBoard Member

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    I have a box of those old Battery Big Hauler Chassis. We used to swap them out for Barry's chassis. Only way to have something reliable....and if we wanted radio/battery, we did that, too.
    My very first encounter with BBH was a big three-day train show...local Garden Railway Club set up on astro turf inside...three BBH...turned them on, they jerked back and forth, back and forth. The fluorescent lights so badly affected the radio gear (analog) it was unusable. They changed out to track powered.
    I have...oh, G...eez....120 freight cars, probably 20 locomotives converted to radio/battery, about half with sound, dozen passenger cars, 1500' of track. Been outside...next month is it 21 years?

    As far as a Frisco loco, buy an undec and decal it. Oh...and if you plan on running outside, pitch the DullCote and buy Krylon semi-gloss or satin clear. DullCote is porous, will pass water right through and lift the decals.....and we won't even get into the UV effect on said DullCote.
     
  12. peterdekeles

    peterdekeles TrainBoard Member

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    That's the spirit. For a long time I was only able to setup temporary stuff on the deck. It helped the addiction until I could move where I have room . There are a lot of things I would do over, but giving up garden railroading would not be one of them. Except the days when I want to launch it all over the fence

    Sent from my SM-T800 using Tapatalk
     
  13. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    Oops? Frustrations? :eek: :cry:
     
  14. FriscoCharlie

    FriscoCharlie Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    An exercise that would be reminiscent of what happens to sandwich wrap when it gets bound up on the roll. :whistle:
     
  15. peterdekeles

    peterdekeles TrainBoard Member

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    Age old problem what runs beautifully on Saturday derails on Sunday.

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  16. ScaleCraft

    ScaleCraft TrainBoard Member

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    Al Kramer who used to run San Val Trains had a solution.
    Call all his buddies out to his ranch. Set the trains up on a rise behind the deck, and pass out rifles.
     
  17. bremner

    bremner Staff Member

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    I wouldn't mind a Fn3 garden railroad....my first run 2 truck Shay has a broken bolster
     
  18. ScaleCraft

    ScaleCraft TrainBoard Member

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    If you mean "top plate", or as Bach Service used to say (since they always looked at them upside down) "bottom cover", I have one or two questions.

    If by original, do you mean still has 8-screw trucks? (screw heads visible through bottom rectangular cover) or "upgraded" by Bachmann to 6-screw?
    If 8-screw, really not worth trying, as the rest is being held together by osmosis.

    However......message me. We can get you going again. They are the same part shape...just for the 6-screw the PRC workers whacked the long screws off about 1/4" shorter with a pair of lineman's diagonal cutters, and the screws need to be fixed...jeweler's files to take the HUGE burrs off and out that will destroy a new cover.

    You need to orient the cover, so you know which end is which. Pull the truck off (4 screws), pull the contact plates off, turn to slip them through the wire slots in the old cover. Align new cover, slip them back through slots, screw down with those tiny screws, screw plate to frame, attach truck housing, watching contact plates on both side to shift if needed to drop in the slight recess to contact housing contacts.
     
  19. bremner

    bremner Staff Member

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    My shay is 400 miles away and was the first Ely Thomas Shay.....will need to find out more
     
  20. Twigboy

    Twigboy TrainBoard Member

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    I'd like to say on the original posting that in general it is about growing fans long-term. If it is ok to post links to another forum I think these posts (33 through 36) show that inexpensive stuff will attract more to come. http://www.modelrailroadforums.com/...Prices-Can-Not-Be-Beat!!!&p=375568#post375568 It's obviously not specific to any size, but it shows there may exist an impression that more is better, quality equates proportionately to enjoyment, and therefore more expensive especially in the larger sizes (it must cost more because it is bigger). Maybe if people saw more of the toy-side there would be more interest. That's how kids start.
     

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