John you are welcome. If you are going to repaint, then they should be real good starting points for you. Ken I agree about dangerous idea's. SHS cars are jewels. And price wise, they aren't that expensive to experiment with. I haven't watched eBay and John's idea of parts cars is giving me dangerous ideas. I've been wondering about trucks though. Since you guys are more in tune with what's available, what besides the Bachmann trucks would you consider? Greg
San Juan Car Company has nice trucks for On3 with conversion kits to On30. I think also Grandt Line has something similar. I've run through so many web sites I can't remember all of em just now, but there are lots of companies making trucks now. I suspect if you went with the two-foot concept even HO trucks would work (with modification for true 2' rack of course). John
Yes. Grandt does list an On30 truck. Have never seen one up close. But in photos, they appear to be nice. Otherwise, a lot of folks seem to be chosing the lower riding Bachmann truck. Which seems to often be out of stock. Popular. Boxcab E50
I like how Bachmann has reacted to the criticisms of their rolling stock. They have actually taken the advice of the kitbashers out there and lowered the car and the profile of the trucks on their new stuff. they actually look pretty good from the pics I have seen. Anyway, yes that new truck would work also for On30, but too big for 2' models? John
Thanks guys for the truck info. Didn't somebody sell On2 trucks? I seem to remember reading about them in an old MR. No idea when or which issue though. I have been able to pick up some Bachmann trucks from my local hobby shop from time to time. Greg
I'm sure somebody must sell On2 trucks. There is a hard core bunch who do M2F in that scale. Surely they need them. In searching, I find they have a Y Group, with approaching 500 members... Boxcab E50
Well, if they are like the On30 group on Y they will just get big enough to be interesting then get removed from Y for bizzarre reasons!! 500 folks though...that IS impressive...maybe I better check it out John
Actually the old Y was re-started. Is back up to almost 1500 members now. Still over 1000 less than originally. But back. Boxcab E50
Thought I'd seen you over there since the re-start. Back before you'd started thesis work. Hmmm. Trying signing on at the home page, with User ID, and password. Or maybe Bobber could check the membership list? I've seen some new names signing on here at TrainBoard, who list On30 as their scale. So keep hoping we can get our own action rolling. BTW- Greg- Did you make it to the recent On30 "Barn Meet?" Boxcab E50
Hi Ken, No I didn't make the "Barn meet." I ended up working past noon so it wouldn't have been worth the 1 1/2 hour drive over the hill to make it. Sounds like it was a good one too. Greg Elems
On2 trucks Grandt Line makes On2 freight and caboose trucks for the Maine two footers. They also sell these same trucks gauged for On30. Both styles include the appropiate metal wheels.
Speaking of cars usable for On30, I found that Industrial Rails, now sold by Atlas, have a nice little wooden ore car. Kadee couplers and Bachmann trucks make a quick conversion to pull behind your steamers. Greg
Greg- Is their Industrial Rails of any quality? Their N line is, or has been pretty bad. Is that car on the Atlas web site? Boxcab E50
Ken, I didn't see the ore car on the Atlas web site. They just added the log car so I expect they will add it soon. It isn't the Trainman line but their O27 line of cars to compete with Lionel. Anyway here is the ore car from the kitbash I did in 2004. I still need to add stirup steps and apply a brake wheel. Greg
I picked up some Bachmann trucks from the LHS. Also I used Kadee couplers instead of McHenry's like Bachmann uses. Grandt Line On3 stirup steps and some grab irons will finish off the details for now. Greg
It's been a while, but I believe I modified the bolster on the car to lower it. Otherwise I may have filed on the truck bolster. Now you've got me wondering. Greg