Skip to main content

Funny I get that question all the time when I talked to people out here (questioning my sanity?).  Grandkids!

BTW by the time you get to Poughkeepsie, and even further Upstate, not that different from WI.  Except for the crazy cost of living!  But the winters are milder here in Poughkeepsie, we hit 50 deg today.

I just moved upstate near Syracuse from GA.  I get that question all the time too...

I am all game for it, but have no place to put a club layout.  We used to have a modular group, but it faded away.  Not even sure the layout still exists anymore(it used to as I tried to get them to sell or allow it to be used again).   I am thinking about attempting a small switching layout with an AHM/Rivarossi 0-8-0 and a few cars with steel mill false fronts along the wall.  About the cheapest way one can dabble with 2 rail O scale steam. 

50? we had 5

Well it has cooled here somewhat, only 36 deg for highs the last couple of days.  I have friends and family back in WI that I call pretty often.  I keep telling them I may move somewhere else in the future, but it Won't be back to WI.  Having lived there 60 years I just "accepted" the winters.  When my daughter moved out here she said, "it is so much better".  I knew she wasn't lying, but until I moved out here, just didn't get it.  Keep telling my younger sister, she needs to move when she retires.

Well it has cooled here somewhat, only 36 deg for highs the last couple of days.  I have friends and family back in WI that I call pretty often.  I keep telling them I may move somewhere else in the future, but it Won't be back to WI.  Having lived there 60 years I just "accepted" the winters.  When my daughter moved out here she said, "it is so much better".  I knew she wasn't lying, but until I moved out here, just didn't get it.  Keep telling my younger sister, she needs to move when she retires.

Im way north ,  up near the UP. Its a beautiful state., Trees lakes open countryside.  Just wish my great grand parents and families, came over from Prussia, they would have settled, where it was warmer.  The Baltic doesn't get this cold

Im way north ,  up near the UP. Its a beautiful state., Trees lakes open countryside.  Just wish my great grand parents and families, came over from Prussia, they would have settled, where it was warmer.  The Baltic doesn't get this cold

Admittedly it also depends where you live in NY State, it like WI has real variety.  If I had moved to Buffalo I know I would NOT have an improved Winter Climate.  The far north along Lake Superior and the UP is amazing (from June to August).  About 40 years ago I travelled with some friends to Marquette, MI for Labor Day.  It Snowed!

Jim. Yes on the  converted/ modified. I use gargraves phantom high rail tinplate track and switches and a few Ross switches. My plan is to replace the 3 rail with  2 rail track. I will still use the same switches.  I plan on doing a small section first  . I want to make sure that this  will work with my existing high rail Rolling stock. Right now I am in the process of stripping out all track connected wires.

I just replaced a section of 3 rail track and replaced with gargraves 2 rail tin plate.  There is a gargraves switch in this section i left the original gargraves 3 rail switch inplace . Trains ran through with no problems. My plan is to continue on with track replacement. I am also cleaning and rearranging the scenery as I go. Thinking of painting the new track . I am not sure best way to do that. Would like some input from you all. 🤔

Thanks guys for the info.

Bill G - I am glad to hear you won't have to redo all the switches, that could become expensive and time consuming.

Ratsnest - Glad to hear you are making progress on your layout.  I would like to see it at sometime.  I am even closer than you may think, live in Poughkeepsie Township, almost in Wappingers.   

Thanks guys for the info.

Bill G - I am glad to hear you won't have to redo all the switches, that could become expensive and time consuming.

Ratsnest - Glad to hear you are making progress on your layout.  I would like to see it at sometime.  I am even closer than you may think, live in Poughkeepsie Township, almost in Wappingers.   

Jim. Yes I figured by using the three rail gargraves switches that would keep my expenses down. Just replacing the 3 rail track with 2 rail is a little expensive.  I also  got the bug to change out my switch machines for ground throws.  I really like the look and the hands on when running trains. The only switch  machines in place are the hard to reach areas. I am also changing 2/3  of my layout scenery. So right now I am completely shut down in running trains, should have all the new track layed down by tomorrow.  Run some trains and see if and where I need to tweak . Do some detailing then start with new scenery.  I also tore out all my track wiring.  I am deadrail so will have  no need for it. Also stripped out out all lighted scenery going to start fresh .Have not made up my mind if lighted scenery will be battery power or electrical. I like the different options that Evans designs give you. Also need to take into account the miller signs I have and a few new ones that have caught my eye. Bottom line is I am not a  tru 2 rail layout just 2 rail/deadrail battery powered. So far I love it.

I’m continuing to make progress on my new 2 rail layout, slowly albeit but having lots of fun. Finished installing 10ga buss/18ga feeders for these sections. I also finished installing Tortoises for all turnouts and wiring them to remote switch panels, along with nearly finishing ballasting the sections.

ADECD4C6-123B-4979-B1F3-4A32C4BFE717

7812AC9F-CE9F-4C23-B0BE-8490E8C0CD64

Also playing around with Photoshop to see what background I’ll go with for this scene. So far I’m liking something like this.

7ED97B0E-0D82-4DCC-9F27-893AAA0F7AB8

Still have to weather rails but will do that once I have modules moved out to complete building walls on this side of basement.

I also received a new shipment of flex track from Right O Way so will begin work on next the scene soon. I’ve always wanted to incorporate a scene like this trestle in Feather River Canyon so that is what I’ll be shooting for.

823416EF-E793-432C-9F7B-5A4C14AA8CC5

John

Attachments

Images (4)
  • ADECD4C6-123B-4979-B1F3-4A32C4BFE717
  • 7812AC9F-CE9F-4C23-B0BE-8490E8C0CD64
  • 7ED97B0E-0D82-4DCC-9F27-893AAA0F7AB8
  • 823416EF-E793-432C-9F7B-5A4C14AA8CC5
@jgtrh62 posted:

I’m continuing to make progress on my new 2 rail layout, slowly albeit but having lots of fun. Finished installing 10ga buss/18ga feeders for these sections. I also finished installing Tortoises for all turnouts and wiring them to remote switch panels, along with nearly finishing ballasting the sections.

ADECD4C6-123B-4979-B1F3-4A32C4BFE717

Also playing around with Photoshop to see what background I’ll go with for this scene. So far I’m liking something like this.

Still have to weather rails but will do that once I have modules moved out to complete building walls on this side of basement.

I also received a new shipment of flex track from Right O Way so will begin work on next the scene soon. I’ve always wanted to incorporate a scene like this trestle in Feather River Canyon so that is what I’ll be shooting for.

John

WOW!!!

and don't forget, all the Narrow gauge guys and Traction modeler's. All  still O scale on 2 rail track.   Just goes to show, you don't need 3 rails to run on tight curves

Well, the true traction modelers DO need a "third rail" but it is normally suspended about eighteen feet above the center of the track! Or, occasionally, to one side of the track for subway modeling.

100_8723

My tuscan/cream car is at least sixty or so years old and my friend's layout close to fifty.

Attachments

Images (1)
  • 100_8723
Last edited by PRRMP54
@Derailed10o posted:

Are you in the Pacific Northwest John?

Thanks John! No, I'm in the Midwest. I've have always been fond of western mountain railroading though and they've influenced me as long as I can recall. Feather River Canyon, Williams Loop, Keddie Wye, Tennessee Pass, Royal Gorge, Moffatt line, Colorado Joint line, Cajon Pass, Tehachapi Loop are some of my favorites. My daughter went to WSU/Pullman so I was also lucky enough to have spent some time in your neck of the woods, those old Milwaukie Road, GN and NP routes are really impressive.

@Ed Kelly posted:

Question for John: I checked the ROW website and there is no info re:  flex track.  Is this the Microengineering flex track?

BTW, great scenes on your RR!

Regards,

Ed

Thanks Ed! The flex track is Proto48 that ME manufactures for ROW. They got a batch in a week ago or so but may be out of stock again, I'd contact ROW to check if interested. I believe ROW stated ME was sending the flex track's tooling out for maintenance but then would likely have more produced once that work was completed.

John

Hi John,

I am an OW5 er so the Proto48 track won't work for me.  Also, I have found the ME flex track to be difficult to work with so I have relegated it to straight sections of my hidden staging.

If ROW sends out their OW5 flex track tooling for maintenance, perhaps they could introduce more flexibility into the track.

Thanks,

Ed

I had been out of commission for a while, due to a surgery and recovery.  Glad to see the new post to this topic in the last month and a half.  Thanks to all that have posted!

John and Bill - thank you for the information on your layouts, I am more committed to the idea of Dead Rail than even before.

I attended the NorthEast Large Scale Show yesterday and got to hold the RailPro Transmitter and see how it works thanks to RCS of New England.  It is VERY nice in my opinion.  I need to Buy some Micro Engineering Code 148 Track and test it with K-Line Passenger cars with standard 3R trucks to decide what track I am going to use, "before jumping in head first".  Converting all Wheels Sets to 2R seems cost prohibitive to me.  So may dictate Gargraves 2R.

I had been out of commission for a while, due to a surgery and recovery.  Glad to see the new post to this topic in the last month and a half.  Thanks to all that have posted!

John and Bill - thank you for the information on your layouts, I am more committed to the idea of Dead Rail than even before.

I attended the NorthEast Large Scale Show yesterday and got to hold the RailPro Transmitter and see how it works thanks to RCS of New England.  It is VERY nice in my opinion.  I need to Buy some Micro Engineering Code 148 Track and test it with K-Line Passenger cars with standard 3R trucks to decide what track I am going to use, "before jumping in head first".  Converting all Wheels Sets to 2R seems cost prohibitive to me.  So may dictate Gargraves 2R.

dont know that you will like the appearance

I had been out of commission for a while, due to a surgery and recovery.  Glad to see the new post to this topic in the last month and a half.  Thanks to all that have posted!

I need to Buy some Micro Engineering Code 148 Track and test it with K-Line Passenger cars with standard 3R trucks to decide what track I am going to use, "before jumping in head first".  Converting all Wheels Sets to 2R seems cost prohibitive to me.  So may dictate Gargraves 2R.

Glad to hear you are back in action.

If you are going 2 rail, go 2 rail! Sell the 3 rail trucks and buy 2 rail or replace the wheel sets with 2 rail wheels!

ECI

Last edited by EastCoastIron

You CANNOT run 3 rail wheelsets on 2 rail track regardless of the rail height.    Most or all 3 rail wheelsets are uninsulated because the don't touch the center rail.

With 2 rail, each rail is one pole of the pickups so there can be no direct connection between wheels on an axle.   for unpowered stuff, one wheel on each axle is insulated.    the is also true for powered or lighted stuff, but there are also some sort of pickup on the insulated wheel to complete the power circuit.

Sorry to bear bad news.

Glad to hear you are back in action.

If you are going 2 rail, go 2 rail! Sell the 3 rail trucks and buy 2 rail or replace the wheel sets 2 rail wheels!

ECI

Thank you!

Problem is I have LOTS of K-Line Passenger cars and don't know of a way to convert inexpensively.  The Intermountain wheels sets are scale 33" diameter.  Perfect for freight cars, but passenger cars need 36" diameter.

@prrjim posted:

You CANNOT run 3 rail wheelsets on 2 rail track regardless of the rail height.    Most or all 3 rail wheelsets are uninsulated because the don't touch the center rail.

With 2 rail, each rail is one pole of the pickups so there can be no direct connection between wheels on an axle.   for unpowered stuff, one wheel on each axle is insulated.    the is also true for powered or lighted stuff, but there are also some sort of pickup on the insulated wheel to complete the power circuit.

Sorry to bear bad news.

Thanks Jim - Yes, I was aware (came from HO).  But since my intention is to run Dead Rail, I can get by the electrical Shorting) issue.  Some members told me a while back that the spikes plates on Micro Engineer Track are pretty low, so some 3R wheelsets can run OK.  See my previous post about conversion cost.

BTW K-Line Passenger Cars will be LED converted and battery powered.  Plan is to put battery in the baggage car and Daisy the other cars from that (Scale Head-End Power, if you will).

K-Line offered 2-rail conversion kits (trucks) for their cars, both two-axle and three-axle. They can be found at the usual used train sources. The streamline versions will run you around $35.00 or so. The conversion is quite simple; remove the plate that the truck is mounted on, swap out the truck, and re-install the plate; no need to remove the whole floor (I wish that I had known that sooner! ). The conversion sets that I have have the power pickups already in place. Just swap out the connections at the floor keeping the polarity correct. In your case just remove the pickups and you are done. I have two-railed a few cars that way but stopped when I realized that I really do not need 21 different observation cars running around; makes for a really strange-looking train!

@PRRMP54 posted:

K-Line offered 2-rail conversion kits (trucks) for their cars, both two-axle and three-axle. They can be found at the usual used train sources. The streamline versions will run you around $35.00 or so. The conversion is quite simple; remove the plate that the truck is mounted on, swap out the truck, and re-install the plate; no need to remove the whole floor (I wish that I had known that sooner! ). The conversion sets that I have have the power pickups already in place. Just swap out the connections at the floor keeping the polarity correct. In your case just remove the pickups and you are done. I have two-railed a few cars that way but stopped when I realized that I really do not need 21 different observation cars running around; makes for a really strange-looking train!

Thanks for the information, you make a Great point.  You MAY have more observation cars than I do, I need to count.  In many cases I have just the observation car.  I definitely know I don't have 21 consists.  But still a lot of cars.  So to your point I do NOT need to convert the "loner" observation cars, so that will save some cash.  I have bought 8 cars that had already been converted, so that also helps.

Hi guys, I've been working with 2 rail O scale for 40 (+)  years and never regretted leaving HO.  The current home layout is modeled after Western Canada and consumes 54 ft by 34 ft.   Large radius curves eat up a lot of real estate !  This layout also has a portable 'sister ' layout I take to shows.   The ' Mexicali Grande '.   However it is only 12 ft across by 24 ft. Long  Done in modules for ease of portability.  I have included photos of each below.    There is also a walk around utube video , without narration , if you look under...' Pacific and Great Western O Scale layout tour '.   It's is roughly 10 mins long showing the home layouts  current scenery.  I was informed there is also  a couple  short videos  of my Mexicali Grande layout out there as wellIMG_20220125_084304IMG_20220125_083949IMG_20230310_201815IMG_20230416_082130IMG_20230416_082103 !     Watch for future articles in the O Scale magazines as well.    Here's alittle taste of both layouts......Enjoy.    

Attachments

Images (6)
  • IMG_20220125_084304
  • IMG_20220125_083949
  • IMG_20230310_201815
  • IMG_20230416_082354
  • IMG_20230416_082130
  • IMG_20230416_082103

Add Reply

Post

OGR Publishing, Inc., 1310 Eastside Centre Ct, Suite 6, Mountain Home, AR 72653
800-980-OGRR (6477)
www.ogaugerr.com

×
×
×
×
Link copied to your clipboard.
×
×