JAMO

I'm not hooked by S scale. This scale seems to close to the OO. And the cost!!!! I was comparing English OO with French HO

I model O scale

Small switcher like the Alco S series or EMD SW series will be very good for the n°1 trackplan. You don't need a loop track. In two turns you can switch all the spurs. In reality they do like that when a shortline desserve spurs along a line. But it's only my idea.

I think OO scale have more presence than HO scale.

Hello all and thanks for the comments! Context Well, here are photos of the first steps of the building. I began by preparing the space. Previously, I've built a HO shortline here but I stop before to begin the scenery. I was attracted by the narrow gauge and else projects in other scales. Later I would like to make a French branchline O scale layout extension to my existing layout. There is a long time ago, I bought a Atlas RS-3 at an affordable price from e-b... and 2 tanks. At the same time I bought my only brass model from Rich Yoder: a GE44. The RS-3 would be a good chassis for a french locomotive and the GE-44 was modified for the french branchline. The stuff stayed like that during a while. By October 2014, I couldn't resist more to switch to O scale US trains. I was attracted by the dark side! I like the presence of the O scale and US trains in O are cheap (I speak of the common production: Atlas, Weaver, Intermountain, Roco...). So I decided to sell a big part of my N scale US trains (mostly ATSF Kato and M-T collection). And I use the money to buy US second hand O scale models. I don't want to buy expensive models but cheap and I like to upgrade them (I'll show you later). For locomotives, I like "as new" and perfect running models. The layout So, coming back to the main subject, here are photos of the preparation of the space for the layout. It's the first part of a maybe bigger project. I want to start with something not too big. I want to reach my goals. I make the hole in the wall for my previous HO scale layout. The staging yard will be just after the wall. I'll show you later the idea. The pics are speaking by themselves... The wooden deck isn't definitive. I go to put off to obtain more vertical space for the bridge clearance and to have access underneath the layout. ...

...I arrive here... I'm late! I like the n°1 trackplan. Maybe in a longer size to add more space. I stay tuned here!

Waow! Very nice and fine model! Well done!

Hello all! Welcome here. I'm building a O scale 2 rail US shortline layout. I'll try to show you each stage of the building. The company is named "Iowa Central". Obviously, this railway company is imaginary, purely fictitious but I've been inspired by several existing layouts in HO, N and by prototypes railroads. Here is the first part trackplan of my project. Have a good visit and stay tuned for future posts.

Yes of course brass models are welcome too but only Alcos here please. SD40 and SD45T-2 are from EMD.

Your #13 is nice! I have several old Atlas/Kato drive models. Their running is fantastic They are from the 80's but they still run perfectly.

Your SP-7 looks good. GP for General Purpose SP for Special Purpose

About EMD, why not to open a thread? 1st generation locos are nice too.

Yes, you're right Simon. The glass isn't very fine on my model. I don't like it. Later, I'll try to make it better using glass plates for microscopes. P:48 is possible. I just have to change the wheelsets and maybe add more little details on the pilots. But all my rolling stock, locomotives and track is 32 mm gauge so I don't think I'll switch to P:48.

Ok Simon. I think if you agree (all) I have to open a thread with my shortline layout project but the layout is just began.

Waow! Thank you for your compliments. My face is red now....

Many thanks to all! Yes the Lionel body is very realistic. I was gladly surprised to discover that when I received this locomotive at home. The cab front door can be open and the front hood door too. I've just opened just a little bit. The open door add a nice detail. Here is a video of the building of this model. I start putting down all the parts and the metal chassis. I made a new thick brass chassis because the Lionel one was too difficult to use like that: I think they use two vertical motors like Atlas. I like a central horizontal motor. I used a motor I've put down from an old office laser printer. This motor is very good and turns slowly and very smoothly. The consumption is very low (less than 1 amp when stalled). He is good as Faulhaber motors. I used 3 rail Atlas SW-9 trucks. I had just to change the big toy wheels by NWSL ones, to add pick-ups and to put off the third rail pick-up. It's very easy to do. I use NWSL transmission from the motor to the trucks. I re-used the Lionel Blunt side trucks. I added the cab interior details and a adapted Bachmann US crew and Led for lighting system. One day, I'll buy an Alco 539T motor sound decoder for this engine. So, I stop to write. Now the video:

Woaw! You are posting a lot of nice Alcos! That's nice. One time I was interested by the Guilmaur kit to make a S-2. But later, I've found a Lionel model (dummy 3 rail). I've modified and detailed it. I made a chassis and add a motor and a transmission to the trucks. After a half year of work, I've obtained what I need. Here is the result:

Thank you Chilgarth. I know these nice loco/truck engines. They are nice looking too. However, they are too modern for my 60's project. I go to use a Atlas 3 axle diesel and an old upgraded Lima/Rivarossi engines.

This model will be a nice switcher for one of my grain elevators.

Some HO models from Atlas (RS-1 and RS-32) and Proto 2000 (S-2) I've repainted for my HO shortline (yes another shortline) named "Arkansas & Mississippi). The RS-32 is named for the first Chairman of the company: Adrian Knowx. Sorry, I've shooted the photos on my O-16.5 mm board. I don't still have built my HO scale layout. One day, when my O scale layout and my 1/35 NG layout will be finished. I've repainted others locomotives for the A&M but they aren't Alcos.

Oui, bien-sûr. Très jolis modèles. Yes, of course what nice models. Thank you to share.

Yes, that's right

To finish with my N scale models, here are the last models I've modified for the SJV company The #7, 8, 9 and 10. The #6 is a NW2. More for the next time... HO scale

Waow! Very nice model. In O scale it's impressive. I saw one in a Paris shop (Trans Europ) in black color. I think it was in 1996 or 1997. The price was very expensive: 700 €!!!!!! They had a Weaver RS-3 too. At that time I wasn't hooked by O scale. The CB&T should be a nice idea.

Athearn blue box were good model despite of there way of wiring (easy to upgrade). I remember to have bought several models from Athearn when I began to model US trains in the beginning of the 90's. They ran hours and hours without any trouble pulling long strings of wagons. It's a good souvenir. Later I sold them to buy Kato and Atlas models... but I remember my old Athearn.