The On30 conspiracy

[sumpter250]

I thought I'd open this thread for the "O scale narrow-minded", like me, who are, or aren't, "assimilated".

I currently have several projects going: The On30 2-8-2; Stretching the Bachmann On30 caboose from 20' to 28';and a 16" X 4' On30 diorama. There's also the intention to build an On30 2-6-6-2, and the 2' X12' On30 lumber switchback.

I have chosen, for my own reasons, to raise the couplers from the "bachmann" height, a scale 1'- 3", to the height of three foot gauge couplers. 2'- 3"( the dummy coupler on the front of the Bachmann 2-6-0 is at that height). I have also chosen a 6" X 9" X 6' tie, spaced 15" to 18" apart, and code 100 rail. I'm going to use the scale dimensions of the HOn3 NMRA standards gauge to make an On30 gauge to insure clearances,etc. I also intend using Kadee #5 couplers on all rolling stock.

At some point in time, the NMRA will probably establish standards for On30, and, at that time, I'll make adjustments to conform. In the meantime, I'll do up a pair of idler flats with dual couplers at one end, for compatability.
After all is said and done, there is really only two "standards" that can't vary: the gauge; and the minimum clearances. The rest is up to individual choice.
Offerred for your consideration, discussion encouraged.
Pete

 

[Catt]

Pete,where's the pictures? Did I miss them?

 

[Tyson Rayles]

Pete where the h*ll are the pictures!!!! BTW are you talking O code 100 or HO code 100?

 

[Catt]

Tyson,code 100 is code 100 no matter what scale its the same height.The difference is the scale .HO scale code 100 is 8 3/4" tall but that same rail in O scale is 4 3/4" tall.(if there were a code 100 N scale track it would be 16" tall. )

 

[Tyson Rayles]

Catt what I was asking is he using O scale 100 or HO scale 100. I htink I would use HO track as it would look lighter and therefore more to scale for narrow gauge????

 

[sumpter250]

Pictures, we don't need no stinking pictures


Only one picture, it was posted on Catt's "engine house" thread.
I'm waiting for Athearn to send a new drive gear for the Genesis 2-8-2 chassis, before any more work on the On30 2-8-2. I'll post the caboose when the construction is done, or maybe a shot in primer.
There's a trestle on the diorama, so maybe I'll be far enough along for the "locos on bridges" contest.
Pete

 

[sumpter250]

OK, a quick shot of the 2-8-2 on the trestle,

 

[sumpter250]

Got the new main driver from Athearn, and installed it. Now I can play with this loco some more.

 

[sumpter250]

Here's a new shot of the 2-8-2. Added some detail, and provided a little different background, so maybe some of the changes can be seen.

 

[sumpter250]

Thius shot shows the lengthening of the Bachmann On30 caboose. I still need to build the extended roof walk, and the undercarriage.

 

[Tyson Rayles]

Uh Pete, they DO look great but don't you need some water in that river????

 

[sumpter250]

Tyson,

Drought.


Pete

 

[Catt]

Been thinking of altering my passenger cars (Bachmann Jackson&Sharp's) to look more like the SR&RL cars.I only have to stretch them 10'.

 

[sumpter250]

Catt,
If the passenger equipment you're talking about is the basic Bachmann 35' cars, you could make two cars out of three. 10' is "four windows".
Pete

 

[Catt]

Thats basically the plan Pete.

 

[sumpter250]

Catt,
Good plan! Or,,two coaches and two combines = two longer coaches, and a baggage car?
Pictures as soon as you can?????
Pete

 

[TinGoat]

2-6-6-2 kitbash

Take a look at Glenn's "Elk Creak & Western" Webpage for a nice 2-6-6-2 kitbash that he did just this past spring.
Glenn's "Elk Creek & Western"

I've been drawn in to making an On30 Module and there are at least NMRA standards for that. If you are interested in expanding your diarama into a module, you may want to look here:

NMRA Standards and Recommended Practices for Modules.

 

[Tyson Rayles]

Very nice!

 

[Catt]

Maybe sometime next year Pete.It won't be anytime soon.

 

[Catt]

There are no set Module standards as such for On30 because there is no such modular organization like NTRAK for On30 yet. Each modular group has their own standards so far.On30 IMHO needs a set of modular standards.