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supinlick
Passenger
USA
3 Posts |
 Posted - 25 Dec 2003 : 19:13:15
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Hello - I'm new to RR, have a small MTH set for the Christmas tree.
1) It'd be good to see a set of standard dimensions for things in Model RR o-gauge - ie. If I'm building a model building, how tall should my door-ways be? what's the height of a bench?
Also, what brands [or model suppliers] are most consistent [in the dimensions on their products, like buildings] with other brands, like door heights, etc.?
2) you can present a relative comparison chart of different brands - cost vs. realism vs. service vs. popularity vs. accessibility, etc - you get the picture...
3) give a guide on how to set-up a first set based on the long-term goals of the buyer - size of transformer, type of track, etc. Also include info on garden tracks?
4) present tried-and-true methods of making your own train layout stuff - ie. can I make nice-looking trees with wire and spray-paint? how can I make weathered-looking shingles?
In short - o-gauge can keep me from having to go out buy a whole bunch of books, provide searchability, provide cross-links to people [ie. the authors of the aspects] I can email who'd be willing to answer detailed questions, etc.
How's that for an answer!?!? |
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Dwight Ennis
Yard Master
USA
8 Posts |
Posted - 27 Dec 2003 : 08:25:16
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Hi Sean (me again ). As I said in the previous post, O-scale is 1/4" = 1'. Answers to some of your building-related questions can be provided by some of Kalmbach's books. I know you said you don't want to buy lots of books, but for things like making structures, trees, weathering, etc. that's probably the best answer. While many of the books are supposed to be for HO scale, the methods are identical and can be applied to any scale. A list of their books can be found on their web site under "Model Railroading | Books". Here's a link to some beginners overall books...
http://store.yahoo.net/kalmbachcatalog/model-railroading-books-model-railroading-for-beginners.html
As to your questions...
1) - again, O-scale is 1/4" to the foot. Using this, you can determine the size of stuff. For example, a 7' door would be 1-3/4". Plasticville by Bachmann is a line of inexpensive plastic structure kits. Plasticville has been around since at least the late 50's/early 60's (long before Bachmann bought the line).
2) unfortunately, no I can't - not that such a thing isn't available - I just don't know where it would be.
3) this is somewhat difficult, since your goals will undoubtedly change and evolve over time. My suggestion would be to start somewhat small and let it grow as you gain experience and come to know what aspects of the hobby appeal to you. Model Railroading is a multifaceted hobby that contains many area that interest people... everything from scratchbuilding structures to scenery to realistic operations with full signaling and switch lists, etc. If you try and dive in right from the get go, you may find that your interests tend to specialize in a few areas over time, and the initial layout doesn't really accomidate those particular interests as well as it might. This is a hobby that can grow with you. My advice would be to build a small layout first, allowing you to gain first-hand experience in many areas of the hobby and layout construction, and allowing you to learn what areas of the hobby appeal to you most.
4) - see the first paragraph.
Here's another link to Valley Model Trains and their O-scale stuff...
http://www.valleymodeltrains.com/oscale.html
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Podwojski
Passenger
USA
34 Posts |
Posted - 27 Dec 2003 : 23:05:24
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1) It'd be good to see a set of standard dimensions for things in Model RR o-gauge
You will find buildings that are dead on for Ogauge. As I said in another thread, MTH makes great Ogauge buildings. I would suggest picking up an Oguage RR magazine to find others...Atlas O makes some nice ones. Walthers tends to be a little less expensive than MTH and these are fantastic also. Check out these links:
http://www.wholesaletrains.com/walthers/933_2700.gif
http://www.wholesaletrains.com/Detail.asp?ID=20012982
http://www.wholesaletrains.com/Detail.asp?ID=20015003
I think Lionel buildings are overpriced for what you get...
2) you can present a relative comparison chart of different brands - cost vs. realism vs. service vs. popularity vs. accessibility, etc - you get the picture...
Boy this is a tuff one...it goes back to what do you want your railroad to be and how do you want to control it...Ogauge trains can be computers on wheels or they can have a simple sound unit with whisps of smoke. I don't know what MTH starter set you got but if it is a DCS unit - frankly, after having one of those - may other units begin to diminish in stature [to me]. I have Lionel, K-Line and MTH units. Atlas 0, Weaver, and Williams tend to round out the other top players.
The easiest way to start is with this - how much space do you have for a layout? That can tend to point you in the right direction. Frankly - unless you can do 6 foot diameter curves as a minimum, then you will probably do standard type consists as typified by your regular Lionel or MTH Railking engines. I have 81 inch diameter curves and 72 inch is the smallest curve on my layout. Same with the switches. I would go bigger if I had the room.
As far as track: Atlas O for a permanent layout. It has a very realistic profile and it is NOT hollow rail track. Look at the track that came with your MTH Railking set: solid rail. Lionel offers a similar type track but it is rolled, hollow rail.
Your most series layouts either use Atlas O track or Gargraves track with Ross Switches [two different manufacturing companies].
RealTrax is a good alternative as it comes with it's own road bed and there is a lot of track sizes, switches, curves, etc. out there...
More later on your questions...it's getting late!
3) give a guide on how to set-up a first set based on the long-term goals of the buyer - size of transformer, type of track, etc. Also include info on garden tracks?
4) present tried-and-true methods of making your own train layout stuff - ie. can I make nice-looking trees with wire and spray-paint? how can I make weathered-looking shingles?
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Stephen J. Podwojski
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timmy
Passenger
USA
8 Posts |
Posted - 04 Dec 2004 : 18:52:26
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Thanks Pod and Dwight, for the answers. I'm also looking for information, considering the plunge into On30.
Thanks
Tim |
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what can O-gauge do for me?
