Long time no hear.......... JOhn, Been many moons since I've seen your name in a Trainboard post, unless I've not been looking in the right spots. Glad to see you back! PS- my 2 cents' worth about On30- not sure if I would model in the scale (I wouldn't say never.....), but I can see where this has opened up some avenues for modelers regardless of scale. And in a recent issue of MR there's an article on building a narrow-gauge New Mexico railroad, using On30 equipment that's been regauged to 3-foot. Folks can say what they want to about Bachmann, but with the Spectrum lines (44 and 70-tonners, Russian Decapods) and the On30 line, they've hit on a great idea.
Bob, It has been a very long time indeed and it is really good to be back and back in the hobby (although I still have no time for it...but the dissertation and business will have to move over a little so I can squeeze it in!!) I decided on On30 for a couple of reasons. I love N and obviously the Santa Fe Southwestern would have been a great empire. I also love HO and have some great HO scale equipment. BUT I really like the appeal of a NG line (I have been trying to model one all my life) and one that is affordable out of the box is just too tempting. Also, I find that I can do more super detail work AND build scale stuff out of materials on hand. I have actually pulled some of my scratch built HO structures and they are better in O than HO. Finally, the scale is large enough and trains durable enough for my three and nine year old kids to run on their own without fear of the destruction of a brass import ! At any rate, I look forward to sharing the story of the layout as we go along, maybe even get some photos up, and of course learning all I can from every member on this site. Best Regards, John
O-27 closer to narrow gauge? PERFECT!!!! Well, it looks like that O-27 stuff finally gets a useful purpose!!!
Be careful, Benny! You'll find yourself being chased by a Lionel fans lynch mob! mg: Ha ha! Boxcab E50
I still have not heard from all of you O scalers out there. What do you really think about On30 and its entry into the market? I guess this could also be asked in other scales, like what kind of impact has it had on HO and N? John
On30 I think Bachmann's introduction of quality, affordable On30 equipment is one of the best things to happen to O scale and narrow gauge modeling. Although I currently model in Large Scale narrow gauge indoors, I used to and still occasionally model in On30 and am impressed with the superb detail, quality, ease of scratchbuilding, and cost of that scale. Besides Large Scale, On30 is the only scale that has high-quality, RTR, non-brass, narrow gauge locos available at very affordable prices. UPDATE: Nov 2006 I switched back to modeling in On30.
I could not have said it better. Additionally, you give up some space in On30 as compared to HO, but the space really is minimal. John
I know that there are people modeling in multiple scales. Such as N and On30. And I know of people who have converted strictly to On30. It's enjoying remarkable popularity right now. Effect on other scales? I don't know how any accurate survey could be conducted. But I'd bet the largest impact would be upon HO scalers. They're simply the biggest number of available potential On30 converts. I do agree about Bachmann. Disregard their past performance in other endeavors. They've certainly hit it right on with marketing, and quality, for this line of equipment! Boxcab E50
I do On30 and as far as I am concerned I am an O scaler. After all "O"n30 is still O scale. The people, buildings, track, ties etc are all 1:48 or O scale. So honestly I see no difference between On30, On3, or 20 or 99 etc etc etc. It is all O scale. Just a thought.
Hi, I spent time as a youth modelling in N an HO (usually at my parents expense) when I came back to railways this year I really wanted the large scale but the prices are just to high. Perhaps because O is not as popular / mass produced or just because here in the Uk the prices are high ? I found On30 as a mistake really and the idea of using old tatty second hand HO /OO stock and rebuilding the bodies in O was brilliant !! £30 bought me a 08 diesel shunter £3 for some plasticard and a bit of paint. All in less than £40 for for a O scale narrow gauge loco. As opposed to £200 + for true O guage ! And another thing !! You build something in On30 and then search the net and find a matching prototype after the event !! The narrow guage railroads were masters of make do and mend, and designs based on "fit for function " a modellers dream ! John Teal RJR Branch Line
