55n3 Reboot - Proof of Concept

hminky Jul 10, 2018

  1. hminky

    hminky TrainBoard Member

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    The first 55n3 site was put on the web in 2010. Due to medical problems I couldn't pursue this endeavor further. Time went by and I let the domain lapse. Now my medical problems have been under control, none of which were life threatening, just debilitating.

    Been in and out of the hobby since 2010 and can't believe how such a short period has brought so much change. Most of the items discussed on the 55n3 website are no longer available and have to be sourced on E-bay.

    I write web-articles on the net. The satisfaction comes not in praise or an "atta-boy" post but someone using the information that was presented. It is nice to see someone applying the techniques that I bloviated about even if no credit is given to me. Stuff comes up in magazines that I recognize as my contribution to the hobby.

    It was warming to see Ronald Halma's American Civil War 55n3 Layout on the net. Ronald showed the concept of 28mm war gaming items and On30 Bachmann equipment is a viable concept.

    Thank you, Ronald

    Vist Ronald's blog:

    http://metusajunction.blogspot.com/

    There are videos of Ronald's efforts two at:





    Our 55n3 website is now 55n3.info and no longer 55n3.org

    http://www.55n3.info/

    [​IMG]

    28mm gaming has grown and there are more figures and vehicles available.

    Thank you if you visit
    Harold
     
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  2. jtomstarr

    jtomstarr TrainBoard Member

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    I saw something referring to this over on the big blue website, I kind of like the idea!

    Tom
     
  3. hminky

    hminky TrainBoard Member

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    Bachmann has built another 55n3 caboose.

    Got a logging caboose and it fits 55n3 perfectly. The original caboose was too high and required modification.

    [​IMG]

    Before you look, no Bachmann doesn't really build 55n3 cars. Remember how that leading statement caused hair on fire in 2010 when I said it about the 55n3 sidedoor caboose.

    [​IMG]

    http://www.55n3.info/sidedoor/

    Thank you if you visit
    Harold
     
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  4. hminky

    hminky TrainBoard Member

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    Got some new stuff from Shapeways shops.

    Found this S Scale cab at the "Willy Monaghan S Scale" shop on Shapeways that will convert the Bachmann Mogul to 55n3. There are S Scale domes available also on Shapeways that will make a complete conversion to a Baldwin catalog Mogul. The Bachmann domes will also work with no mods.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    The On30 Mogul is mechanically close to the Brooks Colorado and Northwestern #1 and Baldwin Catalog moguls. The 44" drivers match the Brooks.

    [​IMG]

    Found these figures listed as "1/56" from the "Panzer VS Tanks" shop they are from the Merchant Navy series. The figures are really fine.

    [​IMG]

    Harold
     
    Last edited: Jul 21, 2018
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  5. hminky

    hminky TrainBoard Member

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    An addition to the previous post.

    A Bachmann Mogul converted to S-Scale with the original cab shortened for S-Scale.
    Shows what the loco would look like with an S-Scale cab and stock domes.
    The stock cab is too wide.

    [​IMG]

    Harold
     
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  6. hminky

    hminky TrainBoard Member

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    Examining examples of narrow gauge moguls found these two examples in the Brooks catalog:

    A Mexican

    [​IMG]

    Quincy and Torch Lake

    [​IMG]

    Looking at the Bachmann Mogul if the running board is extended all the way back a reasonable model can be produced.

    [​IMG]

    The running boards fit into slots in the boiler so replacement would be easy.

    There is an article about making the Q&TL Mogul in On30 in the Jul/Aug 2018 Narrow Gauge and Shortline Gazette. So it can be done with a better three foot cab.

    Harold
     
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  7. hminky

    hminky TrainBoard Member

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    Eventually in a strange scale endeavor one finds the holy grail, a plan, a piece of information that makes a model viable.

    Searching about the Quincy and Torch Lake Moguls I finally ran across a plan in the August 1985 Railroad Model Craftsman of Mogul #1 & #4.

    YES!!! The Bachmann On30 Mogul is 55n3 as made:

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    Harold
     
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  8. hminky

    hminky TrainBoard Member

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    Now that the Bachmann Mogul is 55n3:

    [​IMG]

    Can resurrect this conversion utilizing the Mogul gear tower and a Bowser HO frame:

    [​IMG]

    Makes this locomotive:

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    Never was a good On30 model but great 55n3.

    Harold
     
    Last edited: Jul 27, 2018
  9. hminky

    hminky TrainBoard Member

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    Knuckleduster has a "32mm Gun Fighters Ball" series. Tried them as their 28mm figures were "short". They are the guys on the bases comparing to figures in earlier posts.

    [​IMG]

    Wargaming figures must be tried to see if they are suitable for all purposes.

    These are really very good.

    Harold
     
  10. hminky

    hminky TrainBoard Member

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    The Bachmann On30 catalog has dwindled considerably with the collapse of the On30 bubble.

    A locomotive that always flew under the radar was their little freelance 2-4-4-2 Mallet. Probably one of Bachmann's best efforts. A perfect 55n3 loco, actually a little cramped for O-scale.

    [​IMG]

    There are two similar prototypes.

    A Baldwin narrow gauge version of the Little River 2-4-4-2.

    [​IMG]

    An Alco New Zealander

    [​IMG]

    Really like this little loco.
    Harold
     
  11. hminky

    hminky TrainBoard Member

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    The 2-6-6-2 was one of the locos I bought in the On30 fire sale of 2010.

    [​IMG]

    Another loco no one in On30 wanted but a great little 55n3 loco.

    Not in Bachmann's catalog but still out there and with shopping available inexpensively.

    Harold
     
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  12. hminky

    hminky TrainBoard Member

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    Going thru my old On30 stuff, found a Bachmann On30 Inside Frame 4-4-0 boiler. Allowed me to check the S Scale cab from the "Willy Monaghan S Scale" shop on Shapeways as a replacement for the funky original cab.

    [​IMG]

    Makes the 4-4-0 closer to this 1897 Rogers.

    [​IMG]

    Harold
     
  13. traingeekboy

    traingeekboy TrainBoard Member

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    Interesting discussion. Is this then using HO scale mechs and Track for Sn3, rather than On3? Or, is it something in between?
     
  14. hminky

    hminky TrainBoard Member

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    It is 3 foot narrow gauge on HO gauge track, using a scale of 5.5mm/ft or 1/55 scale or Scale55(the whole letter system is stupid).

    Have been discussing using Bachmann On30 equipment that scales out to Scale55 narrow gauge.

    But early 3 foot narrow gauge can easily be built.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    http://www.55n3.info/locomotives/resources/

    The problem is that HO steam mechanisms have disappeared from the new market.

    Harold
     
  15. traingeekboy

    traingeekboy TrainBoard Member

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    I was sort of wondering about dabbling in a narrow gauge and I was looking at the whole thing about On30 and sort of feeling like, gee what about something more like S scale?

    This idea makes sense to me. It gives you all the space benefits and scale benefits. But you have to be a bit of a trail Blazer. It's all quite interesting. I will have to follow the links later.

    Of course I spent all my own money on 70's vintage european trains. :p
     
  16. hminky

    hminky TrainBoard Member

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    Dabbled a little with Sn3

    http://www.chainsawjunction.com/sn3/

    [​IMG]

    Total pain to convert HO mechanisms to Sn3 and any other motive power is out of my price range.

    Actually more vehicles and figures are in Scale55.

    Harold
     
  17. traingeekboy

    traingeekboy TrainBoard Member

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    Like I said, this is interesting. Interesting enough to try to work on some kind of small starter project and see how it feels. The HO mechs are all over the auction places and cheap. It seems like the more direct route to fun is by taking apart some old toy model and making it into something more than it was.
     
  18. hminky

    hminky TrainBoard Member

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    My original intention was to model early narrow gauge using HO components in Scale55.

    Is the only endeavor that makes early three foot narrow gauge easier and cheaper.

    On30IMA produces kits that can be utilized for the early cars.

    http://www.on30ima.com/index.html

    [​IMG]

    But my skill level has declined and have went to the later era utilizing all my old On30 Bachmann equipment.

    Harold
     
  19. traingeekboy

    traingeekboy TrainBoard Member

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    I've looked at all your links and am very curious. Seems to me the one missing element is a scale ruler.

    With a scale ruler in hand and a cheap plastic whatever, you can make anything you want. I'm eyeing my old Tyco GI Joe diesel for a cab redo as a starter project. Just something super simple. But I will need to get a sense for how big to make things. I just visited my LHS and they had On30 models there and a small selection of S models for narrow gauge. It's an odd feeling when most of your own models are HO and smaller. :p
     
  20. hminky

    hminky TrainBoard Member

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