Modeling becoming more common - again. | O Gauge Railroading On Line Forum

NHVRYGrayOGR Forum Member

Am I correct in that I seem to be seeing more modeling (or what in my case I consider piddling, as I am no machinist like the old guys). When I first got into 0 gauge about 45 years ago all I knew was Lionel (and Marx) had no idea about two rail.

I dared not to even think about cutting on an engine to get what I wanted, I survived on Lionel Lines (and still have them). I did paint beat up F3 shells that I fixed up gouges and heat stamp lettering for roads I wanted.

With the shifting towards more scale (and still detailed semi scale) it seems like some modeling or at least modifying is becoming more common. Maybe it's just the forum members?

Don't see the return of All Nation or other kits as a standard, but something seems to be changing. Maybe more people like me just want what they want, knowing most likely it will never be mass produced.

What are other thoughts.

Gray Lackey

9/25/224:41 PM

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Dave_COGR Forum Member SUPPORTING MEMBERDIGITAL SUBSCRIBER

I focused early on running NYC and later the B&A. I started weathering and adding Kadee’s to everything about 12 years ago. I always wanted a Rutland milk train. I finally bought a 10 wheeler and relettered into a Rutland. I wasn’t very good at decaling at first. I always sort of just stuck with one railroad. With the NYC. So much was available you really didn’t need to model much. I decided to go all in on the Rutland. They were known as a museum on wheels. A simple fleet of steamers, except no available models. I’ve now got a fleet of 14. Not an available caboose. Lionel’s NYC woodside was pretty close. I’ve now got 5. With a few variations and a lot of extra detailing on some. Some repainted MTH woodsided cars.

Lionel’s milk cars are nice. I needed some variation in the consist and to be prototypical. The Rutland milk train was pretty much all Sheffield or Borden’s cars. The MTH combine brings up the rear. I then discovered brass milk cars. Not super expensive if your patient. Borden’s butterdish and National Car Co. flats. Almost all needed paint, decals and 3 rail trucks. I now have a nice looking prototypical train. I’ve assembled a couple of old wooden kits. The Rutland owned 1 single sheathed boxcar. I could have easily used an Atlas car. But the prototype had wood not steel car ends. I used an Atlas chassis and scratchbuilt the wooden body basically just looking at photographs.

When you model a somewhat obscure road without a lot available. You look for close enoughs that can be used. My modeling skills have certainly improved and I really enjoy these projects. I joined the Rutland historical society and have got every book on the RR. This is a RR thats not heavily modeled in O gauge. It’s modeled a lot on HO scale as there are many brass engines and equipment available.

9/25/225:22 PM