"Modern" Narrow Gauge Diesels

I've been dithering a bit with my modeling recently; kind of going back and forth between what my ultimate goal is.

I have almost definitely settled on general "O" scale. I love the bulk of the buildings, the figures, and the super-detailing possibilities. What I am waffling on is with regards to the scale to focus on: ON30 or true 2-rail O. I love steam, love narrow gauge, and love the accessibility of ON30, but I fear that I'm going to miss the more modern elements of O, such as big diesels, mainline operation, etc.

One thought that had struck me was trying to model something like New Zealand or Taiwan's narrow-gauge lines, or perhaps even an Americanized or Canadian version of these (such as, perhaps, a modern version of the operations in Newfoundland). Of course, this would be a massive undertaking, especially considering that modern ON30 rolling stock and locomotives are pretty much unheard of.

I was wondering, as a starting point, if anyone had any pictures of a custom-built modern narrow gauge loco (not necessarily in ON30). I am thinking, for example, perhaps a New Zealand EMD G22AR Class DC, or something along those lines? I know our Kiwi friends from around the far side of the world are, if anything, bigger railfans than Americans, and I find it hard to believe that a few haven't undertaken to model the home lines. Here's a picture of a real one:



Thanks in advance for any and all shots/advice/what have you.

 

Are you looking for something similar to a North American outline locomotive and is Japan included in this quest for modern narrow gauge power? Outside of the Shinkansen lines, Japanese railroads are 3'6"gauge just like in Australia and New Zealand.

 

I think I am just looking for a modern, working appearance. Taiwanese narrow gauge engines are also EMD products --



-- and could also be "North Americanized" to suit say Prince Edward Is. or Newfoundland. I'd rather prefer to avoid something that's a boxcab, as those don't really have any kind of a prototypical similarity to modern engines employed in North America.

I think the fundimental problem -- which Boxcab's post hints at -- is that the mechanism one would likely lean towards to power such a product would have its roots in HO, and thus the trucks would be far too small to represent a modern, mainline O-scale narrow gauge engine. It works great for critters because they are oddball units to begin with, but modern narrow gauge mainline engines are close in actual size to their standard gauge cousins, if slightly more narrow.

Thus, you're almost left with the problem of trying to cut an O-Scale engine down to size rather than trying to up-scale an HO product; something that gives me the willies considering how pricey O-Scale engines are to begin with.

This topic, overall, is kind of just food for thought. I think one of the reasons nobody has done this is because of the complexities inherent in the project itself. However, I can't be the only person who has glanced at his ON30 engines and thought to himself "hey, it might be neat to operate some present-day stuff on this layout."

 

To further whet your appetites, here is a video of a few of these engines in action:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pcaD_OdBdCk

 

Moving along in my research, I stumbled onto this website:

http://www.ironhorsehobbies.co.nz/index.php?cPath=124_69_138

No clue what scale these engines are (I can't find anywhere where that's listed), but if they ride on HO track, then that assembly would be a brilliant place to start, even if the scale of the engine itself is a little off.

*Edit*

After poking around a little bit on the 'Bay, I was able to determine that these engines are HO.

How is that possible? I mean, if they ride on HO track, are they in-scale with other HO engines (thus essentially making them standard-gauge versions of the real-life thing)? Or, are they instead large models designed to run on HO track in a similar manner to On30 (although obviously not the same scale as true On30)?

Would someone kindly help me untangle this little mystery?

 

http://www.12milestation.com/index....egory_id=130/home_id=129/mode=prod/prd342.htm

And just adding to my own thoughts here (and for the benefit of others who might be interested), I found someone else who was working on a project like this -- and working very hard, at that. However, the information on that (very odd) website is extremely limited, and there's absolutely nothing pointing towards what kind of a chasis this fellow was planning on using for his White Pass diesel. That's a shame, because -- to me -- that's kind of the central issue.

 

I've been trying to get my hands around this problem and this is my understanding. As I understand it, you want to find/make modern narrow gauge motive power in O scale, not necessarily EMD outline.

In Japan, they use a 1:80 scale on 16.5mm gauge track. This is a compromise and yes, the models are in essense standard gauge narrow gauge models but it allows the models to be of a compatable size with standard gauge HO scale rolling stock. Using 16.5mm track to simulate 3'6" guage works out to a scale of about 1:65. Wait a minute, S scale is 1:64 . . . . A little checking shows that in Europe, there are modellers who simulate meter gauge in O scale using 22.5mm gauge track (Om). (22.5mm scales out closer to 3'6" gauge but apparently it works for them.) Perhaps that's an avenue you might want to explore.

Andy
Tetsu Uma

 

I have several HOn3 diesels operating on my layout;

Center cab

RS-3

GP-7

These were custom made by a gentleman on ebay. He uses Athern drives/motors, modifies and cuts down the shell/cab lengths. He frequently has these locos up for sale. They run very well and are DCC ready. You can get them painted/decorated in D&RGW or he will do them undecorated/primed only.

I'll try to post some pictures later.

-G-

 

If You're looking for modern-day narrow gauge diesels, have you seen the US Gypsum's ALCO/ MLW DL535's in Plaster City, CA?

 

On30 isn't the appropriate choice for the sort of power you're thinking of. Narrow gauge mainlines are normally 3'6" or metre. O on S track (or S on HO track) are thus appropriate.

Brazil, and those are some of my favorite power. D-D truck SD45s, B+B-B+B C40-9s, C40-9Ws, B36-7s, C36-7s, SD40-2s, SD40T-2s and SD45-2, and C-C SD40-2s, SD40T-2s and C30-7s presumably for lines with higher axle load limits.

This sort of power is too big for the Maritimes, though.

 

Is there even such a thing as O on S track?

 

Yes. In Europe it is referred to as Om and is used to represent meter gauge although it is closer to 3'6" gauge. I referenced it in an earlier post in this thread. Roco seems to have a selection of RTR Swiss prototypes but it is slanted toward electric locomotives. Here's a link to a manufacturers listing. Metropolitrain Om Scale

Andy
Tetsu Uma

 

Well, that's definitely closer to what I was thinking of, though, Andy. Good call. It's unfortunate it's all electric/european locomotives.

*Edit* The other, long long-term hope I have is that somebody might commercially produce one of the White Pass and Yukon Diesels in On30. I mean, it strikes me that Bachmann is always churning out new stuff for that scale, and these engine are prototypically relevant given that they run on 3-foot gauge rail. Plus, they hail from a very, very famous U.S. railroad. Bachmann likes making stuff that's recognizeable. I suppose, down the road, it's not out of the question they might make a few of these.



Plus, they are MLW products. I don't know a man alive into trains who doesn't love ALCOs.

 

Standard gauge in South Africa is meter gauge (slightly over 3'). We have some GE built locos running on our rails here like the GE U26Cs:


Just some food for thought!

 

Have a look at www.nz120.org Its how some of us model NZ railway.TT on Nscale track makes guage right.
Theres slowly getting more products.Alot are scratch built.
I have started a thread on here about my attempt!(needs up dating!!)

Cheers
Stu.