mah644

O scale is and has been used by a "minority" in the hobby in the States for 50 or so years. Even the largest brick and mortar shop rarely stocks more than a few O scale items. Three-rail O (Lionel, etc.) is still a part of the hobby and many "scale" O engines come in 2- and 3-rail variations in an attempt to expand the market. I would suggest you check out www.walthers.com to see what may be available from the largest US distributor. Additionally, the 24 X 2 configuration you describe equates to a little less than 8 feet X 8 inches in 2mm. Kindest Regards, Carl

I've gone ahead and taken the chance that the ex-Midlands version in LMS will be corrrect for the late '20s. Placed a pre-order earlier this week. Now for the wait.... Kindest Regards, Carl

Greetings, Dumb question number...(let's see now)...17... When planning to do British outline, I didn't expect that I would pick a place (Welshpool) that had joint GWR/LMS service in 1930. (In fact, I didn't even know that until several days ago). I've done a bit of GWR research, but am behind on many of the specifics on the LMS. Am I correct in saying that the version of the announced Bachmann 4f in LMS livery with Johnson/Deeley tender would be correct for the 1930 date? (I'm aware that the other two announced versions are not correct--by several decades or so). (I;m sitting here with my credit card in my hand in hopes that the answer is a "yes"). Kindest Regards, Carl

Frank--Thanks for the comments on the Flickr pictures. If you have the opportunity to take photographs around Welshpool, I would be particularly interested in full front and back views of the standard gauge station, any shots of the older external timber-framed structures in Welshpool and full-on or 3/4 shots of any of the brick or brick and frame buildings at Raven Square. I appreciate the offer. Kind Regards, Carl

"Frogemere" was originally conceived as a small free-standing layout featuring Welshpool & Llanfair stock and scenery. It was to be constructed so that it could be set up and run in our sunroom, then taken down and stored on it's end in a corner of the same room. My significant other today informed me that she did not wish this to occur, offering instead an area of our downstairs for my purpose. Doing my best to feign disappointment, I accepted her offer, and have now taken at least mental possession of an area approximately 12' X 15' in dimension. Although this area will take some finishing, the space it affords will allow me to model more of the W & L, as well as more than just a "static" standard gauge meeting point. What the layout will actually look like is not yet clear, except I know that it will be U-shaped, since the area is part of a larger room...but I think I can work something out. In other matters--Have begun work on a Ratio Signal Box, ordered some GWR colour paints and logged in my previous orders for 1mm greyboard, a Vari-Kits body kit, and about a dozen points and sections of OO9 flextrack. Oh...and I also "found" the Minitrix 0-6-0 I knew I had packed away--so the Vari-Kits body has a chassis. Kindest Regards, Carl

Hello Again, I debated whether to post again so soon, but much has happened in the brief interlude since the last entry. Firstly, the most important part. My wife is fine, her eye injury neither serious nor projected to be long-lasting. She does, however, look like she has gone 12 rounds with someone of the renown of Jerry Quarry--and lost. On to other things: Received the Langley body kit for "Sir Drefaldwyn". Very fine, clean white metal pieces, practically devoid of "flash" and totally absent of voids or indications of worn molds. Had a nice e-mail conversation with Ian at Langley relative to the obvious quality of the kit and the information included with it. Until/unless a Golden Arrow "The Earl" or "Countess" kit shows up (hint, hint), this will be a primary engine on the layout, regardless of the fact that I'll be modelling 1931. Have also had an extended series of e-mails with Peter Blackham at Blackham Transfers relative to supplying sufficient transfers to letter my current and projected future GW (ex. W&L) stock, circa 1931. He will be providing me with a proposal in due course. (He will be at Narrow Gauge North Exhibition at Leeds this coming weekend for those who may be interested; a fact I report solely because I find him to be an honest, straight-forward, friendly and extremely helpful individual with whom to consult). I've also received a lovely little Ratio ground level signal box. Very nice castings, but I really wish UK manufacturers would provide precut window material (I'm spoiled that way by most US kits). Ordered/purchased this week are more Peco OO9 point sets (turnouts) which I have found to cost less in the UK (including postage/shipping) than in the US, a GEM Vari-Kit "B" acquired through eBay, and several vehicles and Scout figures purchased through Taw Valley. A SPECIAL NOTE TO READERS--If you are still with me, I'd like to express my sincere appreciation to all who have provided an overwhelmingly positive reception to a "Yank" of limited knowledge, but perhaps foolhardy ambition, into your midst. I may well be guilty of reporting too much, but my intent is merely to share, as best I can, my joy and excitement as I take the steps (sometimes baby steps) necessary to model in the same spirit that I sense that you (all) do. With Kind Regards, Carl

Frank--Thanks for the kind words. Trust that you and your wife have many wonderful days ahead together, Best Wishes--Carl

Hello Again, Since last we spoke, the Scalescenes Narrow Boats pages have been downloaded and laser-printed. Having read more in these forums, I acquired enough 8 1/2 X 11 (approx. A4 size) self-stick label material for a reprint on inkjet--also enough ink for the Canon Pixma to last through the job, some spray matte acryllic, and assorted glue, knives and blades. The final ingredient ? Card--1mm and 2mm. None to be had in the local office supply, school supply, art supply or big box stores. Internet pickings on this side of the ocean were also slim. Finally ordered a 75 pack of 1mm card from a small retailer who will ship this coming Friday, with hopes of it arriving by the end of the following week. With that potential project at a stop, I turned to the packet of 10 assorted Nine Lines W&L goods kits that had arrived Friday. Nice items. After e-mailing Ken at NL of their safe arrival, I sorted out pieces into separate packets (there were several multiple kits), gathered my tools and glues, test track, etc.--all ready to tackle them early this afternoon. Unfortunately, that project too came to a halt as we wound up spending a majority of this afternoon at an emergency medical clinic tending to an accidental injury my wife incurred to her eye. Turns out not to be serious or sight-threatening, but bad enough to require me to take a work holiday tomorrow to transport her to an eye specialist for confirmation, and to enable me to become chauffeur, grocery toter, cook, pharmacy runner, etc. for the next week of so. Undeterred, I'll do what I can this coming week and post as appropriate. Best Wishes--Carl

I copied this image and have been staring at it transfixed under extreme screen magnification for the last 10 minutes or so. I am totally awed by the quality and detail of the work. Exceptional!!! Best Wishes--Carl

...please don't remind me, I still have nightmares about using the turn signal and having the headlights flicker....

Hello, Today's will be a fairly brief descriptive entry, since I still don't have anything to actually "show". GWR 57XX Panier has been successfully purchased and should leave Normanton, West Yorkshire tomorrow. Several Scalescenes kits have been acquired and downloaded (will be working on one later this evening). Took lunch in the office today and doodled on a possible track plan, using "Wood End" as an inspiration. I'm pleased so far and am intent on creating a scale drawing which I hope to post by week's end. Was mulling having a "Name the Layout" contest, but decided I had won it myself with my singular entry of the name "Frogemere", named partially to honor the 1960 Frogeye (Bugeye over here) Sprite I drove during the years I was in military service (1969-71). [The Sprite's name was "Melvin", the SU linkage was partially held together with paper clips, and the canvas top and side curtains leaked badly in the rain. It's 948cc's just about got it up the hill I had to traverse every day enroute to my assignment without stopping and downshifting to first (had a crashhbox first gear). The front bumper was missing and the bonnet creased from a previous accident so that it sagged when opened. But every minute with it was fun, except sorting the electrics.] More later. Best Wishes--Carl

A very sizeable effort, even by American standards. Nice design and excellent construction. Your attention to detail is obvious and enviable. Best Wishes--Carl

Hello--I've had great success ordering directly through Walther's. They have a "hobby shop" associated with their site. Microscale (also direct) is great for decals (transfers). On a more local level, I almost exclusively deal with Riverdale Hobbies (Bob Brannen), a merchant with over 30 years of experience operating a "brick and mortar" in this very difficult Atlanta, Georgia market. His contact information is found in the dealer section of both Model Railroader and Railroad Model Craftsman, two magazines which every modeler of North American (USA & Canada) railways should have close at hand. Best wishes--Carl

Hello--Had hoped to be in receipt of more tangible items today, but that was not to be. What was received or obtained today: --A nice note from Parkside Dundas identifying the specific chassis needed for an interesting body kit. Saved me the cost of the kit, since the chassis is near unobtainable. --A nice note from Gaugemaster indicating my order had been despatched. (I don't think I earlier mentioned my order from Langley, still in transit. Originally thought I had the correct chassis, but found late last night that I didn't, so I've contacted a friend to see if I can arrange a trade). --Notification from a Stateside dealer that a W & L Guidebook is enroute. --Information relative to the "Wood End" exhibition layout. This layout seems to meet a lot of my requirements, although it would need to be enlarged slightly to accomodate some standard gauge trackage. Also managed today to: identify a 57XX series GW pannier to bid on on eBay (haven't mentioned that I did decide on a 1931 timeframe); find myself wishing that more Brit sellers were willing/able to ship overseas , although fully understanding why they aren't; and confirm that the number of Golden Arrow "Earl"/"Countess" kits extant to acquire is (or approaches) zero. More later. Best Wishes--Carl --