Modeling from 1985-2015

Alan,

I only have scale models of contemporary trains, mainly twin-stack intermodal & a few modern Atlas-O grain hoppers. All 4 of my locomotives are models of modern AC-traction locomotives.

Moving to a different topic. I thought you were getting out of O-Scale last Fall since you were unable to sell your HO trains & you were unhappy with the lack of double-shelf couplers in O-Scale. What made you change your mind?

Thanks,

Naveen Rajan

Oh,it's a tussle hr to hr what scale to go with. I had to spend $7300 on my wife's home we been trying to sell,plus she had to have over $11,000 worth of dentist work put in her mouth,so that all cripples my O scale efforts more.

I managed to find 4 Family Lines grain hoppers through O scalers & online hobby shops plus have 9 CSX 4750s that make a great looking grain train.

On the coupler problem,I think I can make the upper&lower safety shelfs from materials from my local hobby shop,the problem there is how to keep them fastened to operating Protocraft couplers with the impact of coupling.

If there's not enough responses then it will probably be an exit out of O scale,just thought if I could find enough modelers in that rough time frame,maybe we could help each other out in areas,for example the shelf couplers. All modeling regardless of scale modeled,is built on help & bending manufacturer's ears 'till it huts many times.

Thanks,

Al Hummel

Alan,

I also want modern couplers but I prefer the AAR Type-F safety couplers. I have a BNSF line, less than a mile from my home & an UP line less than 2 miles away. Both have predominantly unit coal trains. All the locomotives on both UP & BNSF seem to have Type-F not the safety shelf couplers. I assume that the couplers between the cars are rotary couplers, which visually seem closer to Type-F than Type-E shelf couplers.  Even though Type-F (with interlocking) or Type-E with (single or double safety shelfs) have different safety features, I learnt through Google that all AAR couplers must be capable of operating together.

I have collected the documentation on these type-F couplers & I plan to make detailed 3D CAD models as time allows. I will make it in 1:1 scale & will scale it down to O-Scale when complete. I also need to look into the reasonable level of detail & manufacturing options as I get further along in this project.

These are just my opinion,

Thanks,

Naveen Rajan

A great breath of FRESH air!! HA! Ha!

I want the F&E couplers. The F couplers are on most all modern coal trains as you correctly stated.

The BNSF runs MANY coal as well as Ethanol trains on the CSX double tracks that run from the east coast to at least Chicago. This line runs through my hometown of Bremen,IN.

The F couplers come built with the lower safety shelf as I understand it,&from the drawings I've seen as well as you also correctly stated,they've got the interlocking feature. The SF couplers are the dbl shelf couplers only built in the F coupler style that have the interlocking feature for extra safety.

The E couplers with the upper and or lower safety shells or without any shelfs at all,couple with the F couplers. I see the BNSF also seems to use the F couplers with lower shelf on their modern diesels,too.

Are you hoping to build a Kadee type coupler or a working model such as protocraft offers? Protocraft's model has no shelfs & isn't the type E model such as San Quan makes plastic models of. I think Protocraft's model is closer to what history calls a "Sharon" type design. It performs the same function as all couplers but just a different design on the "thumb" side of the coupler.

I like the idea of using cut levers on my couplers to uncouple with. I have to use a magnet on my HO Sergent couplers,but HO's smaller & would be harder to use cut levers on. O scale is larger & would be easy for cut levers.

If you haven't already seen Sergent's website,it's a great place to give you a great close up of all couplers including the type H coupler used on passenger cars.

I'm hoping to group modelers that model the modern together,maybe even make a group out of.(?)

Here's my email if you'd like to stay in touch that way:ahummel72@yahoo.com

Thanks again,

Al Hummel

Generally I prefer contemporary, 25 years old or less.  But there are older things I like, like streamlined passenger trains.

Oh I completely understand. There's probably cars I like that doesn't fit the dates thrown out here. This was an effort to draw modelers with similar interests together.

So far we're a group of about 4. This is a 2 rail group,I should've broadened it for 3 rail also. I've nothing against 3 rail,2 rail's my own personal preference as shelf couplers & ground throw switchstands with turning targets on the top of the stands are. The other purpose,the main purpose of this mini survey,is to show where the future of modern O scale is going which I'd say by the few responses received,is not far,if manufactuers get ahold of this post. They are,as I would also,going to concentrate their marketing dollars,where the greatest amount of modelers are,be it steam,transition era,or more modern day.

Thank you for replying,

Al Hummel

Ohhh! I like this subject. Now we need some pics!

https://ogrforum.ogaugerr.com/t...658#2415514336541658

Alan, i was 2 rail and when i moved to Tn had no basement so i went 3 rail now that i'm in Ohio and have over 1100 sf i went back to 2 rail. i sold much of my 3 rail and put it on the bay and let it go.  my advice to you is figure out what you want and then do what you have to to maximize your hobby. think about it you want the o scale therefore you don't want the ho sell it let it go. ask anybody that owned a boat or race car and wanted to get out of that most didn't make any money on it, and most lost a ton. no one wants to lose money but determine what you want and then accomplish it.

my era is late steam 1st gen diesel and i'm content with the kds but if you want the modern couplers there are plenty super modelers who can help you accomplish it.

Thank you great advice! It's just the getting to doing something instead of the big picture thinking of,"can I?"

Thanks to everyone for their motivation,it's much appreciated,wish we could all get together,but living in this O Scale desert,makes that not possible.

Thanks again,

Al Hummel

I model exclusively in this era. Far and away my interest is Santa Fe operations during the "Superfleet" era, 1989-90. I also have some more contemporary equipment and every now and then switch things up with contemporary BNSF, UP and some foreign road power.

My layout presently is "Three rail scale." I started in O in three-rail. Were I starting today, and knowing what I know now, I would be exclusively two-rail. As it is, I've converted a fair number of diesels to fixed pilots and collected a fair amount of two rail equipment. Many of my freight cars are factory two-rail or are my own two-rail conversions. So i kind of have a foot in both camps. If I make the jump, I likely will just try to convert my Atlas TMCC engines to two-rail operation and use TMCC and DCS.

Alan,

May I make one gentle request: If you "reply with quote," start your response underneath the shaded area with the quoted text. It will make your posts easier to read. (And I do pay close attention to the posts by you and my fellow modern-ear modelers).

Alan, also consider bartering your HO trains. 

Over the years I traded my PW lionel for HO, then traded my HO for a hydropolane that went for a '57 Chevy rag top flipped that into serial  Corvette trades then over a dozen limited and offshore race boats.  Even to today, before I buy any new toys, I float a trade possibility.

You may wish to consider going to a large multi-scale train show and place your stash on a table.  Sell what you can but keep a keen eye out for potential 0 appropriate  swaps in the show's waning minutes.  

For trades a good path may well be multi-scale dealers.

Many train shows are called "Swap Meets", for a reason.

What ever you do, IMO, think about moving out the physical toy clutter, I find it dulls productivity.

Thank you Tom,wish I had some in my area or if I could just get a few modelers in my basement for even 1 item,they might see other things & away we go. Then the word of mouth spreads. You've got the best idea as these days you can't be too careful with people.

Thanks again,

Al Hummel

Joe,

That is a great shot, indeed.

I model exclusively in this era. Far and away my interest is Santa Fe operations during the "Superfleet" era, 1989-90. I also have some more contemporary equipment and every now and then switch things up with contemporary BNSF, UP and some foreign road power.

My layout presently is "Three rail scale." I started in O in three-rail. Were I starting today, and knowing what I know now, I would be exclusively two-rail. As it is, I've converted a fair number of diesels to fixed pilots and collected a fair amount of two rail equipment. Many of my freight cars are factory two-rail or are my own two-rail conversions. So i kind of have a foot in both camps. If I make the jump, I likely will just try to convert my Atlas TMCC engines to two-rail operation and use TMCC and DCS.

Alan,

May I make one gentle request: If you "reply with quote," start your response underneath the shaded area with the quoted text. It will make your posts easier to read. (And I do pay close attention to the posts by you and my fellow modern-ear modelers).