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I don't understand, Joe.  The tinplate guys have their own forum.  The S scale guys have their own forum.  The 2 rail guys have their own forum.
 
Why can't the fixed-pilot kadee-coupler guys have their own forum?
 
I feel like the 3RS guys has been unfairly criticized in this thread. 
 
Would you really quit the hobby over what people post on an internet message board?  This hobby was around long before Al Gore invented the internet!
 
Originally Posted by Enginear-Joe:

 OK great. You guys changed the name. So can I point out a great Buffalo modeler's layout without causing a war now?? What if he has something he hasn't changed the couplers on yet and someone sees it????

 Will I get kicked out because someone counts the rails on my layout??

I think a lot of damage was done and people left for their own reasons.

SAD.

I'm running into it on all the divisions. Wasting my time I guess.

who's the next one I have to prance around??

 Makes me want to leave the hobby all together.

 

Originally Posted by Martin H:
 
Why can't the fixed-pilot kadee-coupler guys have their own forum?
 

My feeling--and I mean this sincerely--is that those who are focused almost exclusively on the equipment end of things should seriously consider forming a National Model Railroad Association (NMRA) 3RS Special Interest Group.  The NMRA is the one entity in the hobby--all scales--that works with industry to develop Standards and Recommended Practices.  They are the one organization with a proven record in that regard, and they are best equipped to meet the needs of those who are concerned with the more technical aspects of the hobby, including motive power and rolling stock, control systems, track standards, compatibility issues, etc.

 

And I don't want to see anyone write that the "NMRA isn't interested in 3-rail."  If that's true at all, it's because the 3-rail hobbyists themselves have not shown much interest in making themselves a part of the organization and because they have chosen to remain on the outside looking in.  It's their fault, not the NMRA's fault.

 

I have been a Life Member of the NMRA since the late 1970s and have participated, at various times, as a hobbyist involved in Z, N, HO, O, and Large Scale.  Yes, the majority of NMRA members are involved with HO and N scales because those are the largest segments of the overall hobby.  But it still is an inclusive organization that welcomes ALL who are devoted to sharing this hobby and improving modeling standards and the products offered.

 

If my personal modeling interest was in the pure scale aspects of O, I would probably do one of two things:  I would sell off all of my 3-rail and go with 2-rail (the most logical albeit expensive route), or I would remain with 3-rail but would align myself closely with the group that is most apt to help affect productive changes that would bring 3-rail closer to my level of expectations.  That group is most certainly the NMRA.

Originally Posted by BradAARR:
I Model lionel and mth and I have been buying 1:43 scale vehicles is that not the right size vehicles I'm supposed to be buying a friend of mine told me that the scale I need for vehicles is 1:43  scale or do I get 1:48 scale someone help please. Lol

1.  Learn to use punctuation.

2.  US O scale is 1:48, or more conveniently for the mathematically challenged, 1 scale foot = 1/4".

this brings back memories of why I got out of the hobby before when I was an ho modeler, I just got so tired of the rivet counters and the color analysts and the coupler fanatics and the idiots that had to have the ballast just the right height and weight and depth and it got to the point that we spent so much time trying to get all of the so called prototype stuff just right that we forgot that after all, we were there just to enjoy playing with the trains. you know when it comes right down to it, beauty is in the eye of the beholder and what looks good to me may not suit you but if it makes me happy then that's all that matters. I agree that we can all strive for a little more scale realisam in our layouts but lets still have some fun doing it and don't let ruin the hobby for us. 

Originally Posted by nomthever:I can relate to nomthever.We are PLAYING.We all have fun in this hobby in a little different way.One guy is asking how wide should the floor boards be looking inside one of his buildings and is stressing out about it.Meanwhile everybody ELSE is picking it to death!I would be thrilled if my trains would stop uncoupling and crashing back into the caboose when I'm not paying attention lol.Cmon people lets have fun.

this brings back memories of why I got out of the hobby before when I was an ho modeler, I just got so tired of the rivet counters and the color analysts and the coupler fanatics and the idiots that had to have the ballast just the right height and weight and depth and it got to the point that we spent so much time trying to get all of the so called prototype stuff just right that we forgot that after all, we were there just to enjoy playing with the trains. you know when it comes right down to it, beauty is in the eye of the beholder and what looks good to me may not suit you but if it makes me happy then that's all that matters. I agree that we can all strive for a little more scale realisam in our layouts but lets still have some fun doing it and don't let ruin the hobby for us. 

 

Originally Posted by rockstars1989:
Originally Posted by nomthever:I can relate to nomthever.We are PLAYING.We all have fun in this hobby in a little different way.One guy is asking how wide should the floor boards be looking inside one of his buildings and is stressing out about it.Meanwhile everybody ELSE is picking it to death!I would be thrilled if my trains would stop uncoupling and crashing back into the caboose when I'm not paying attention lol.Cmon people lets have fun.

this brings back memories of why I got out of the hobby before when I was an ho modeler, I just got so tired of the rivet counters and the color analysts and the coupler fanatics and the idiots that had to have the ballast just the right height and weight and depth and it got to the point that we spent so much time trying to get all of the so called prototype stuff just right that we forgot that after all, we were there just to enjoy playing with the trains. you know when it comes right down to it, beauty is in the eye of the beholder and what looks good to me may not suit you but if it makes me happy then that's all that matters. I agree that we can all strive for a little more scale realisam in our layouts but lets still have some fun doing it and don't let ruin the hobby for us. 

 

Fellas,

 

The purpose of the 3RS forum IS for those reasons and I expect most of us who post here ARE having fun with it.  If you're not having fun you're in the wrong hobby.

 

Nobody is forcing you to do anything you don't want to do, but calling folks, who like discussing the extra detail, "fanatics and the idiots" isn't going to give them a warm and fuzzy all over feeling.  Do you go to the 2-rail forum and trash them because they use only 2 rails?

Hi guys,

I wanted to introduce myself to the forum. I am completing what one would term a 3 rail scale pike. It's about 14 ft by 22 ft around the walls so I can enjoy broad radius operation. I'm utilizing scaletrax and it looks pretty good ballasted and I use NWSL semi scale wheels on all my pilot trucks with no problems at all through the scaletrax turnouts. I'm even converting some brass 2 rail steam locos to 3 rail. I like the 3 rail for the simplicity of operating Lionel Tmcc, rail sounds and simplicity of wiring. At some point if the 3rd rail bothers me, I'll convert to battery rc and strip the middle rail. I'm still debating the need for Kadee couplers for my purposes.

 

I've posted some pictures of the ballasted painted rail, semi scale pilot wheels on a scale K Line Hudson and a scale lionel reefer.

 

I hope to learn a lot from ya'll.

 

Regards

Pilot wheel Hudson

reefer

track wk 1

Attachments

Images (3)
  • Pilot wheel Hudson
  • reefer
  • track wk 1
Originally Posted by Sam Shumaker:

In 3 rail scale basically everything is in scale except the track wheels and

couplers and that is why I'm in 2 rail scale.

OK, so what is the issue you have with the couplers? As a 3RS modeler, I use nothing but Kadee couplers, and I'm now starting to use 2-Rail wheel sets.  Do you "2-Raile modelers" use lots of different couplers, rather than the Kadee brand?

Oh yes I knew a guy who put kd couplers on all of his 3 rail stuff. A nice improvement but you got to be careful about getting the cars too close for sharp curves. There are several scale couplers to choose from as  KD, Weaver, Atlas etc and they work well. Some of the true to scale couplers are available but require a little more effort to couple trains with. The KD is the most popular and now since they redesigned them they look more like the real thing and yet still operate as well as the original.

I totally agree with Bob.  But I sure wish Tony would adopt me.  Tony spoke the most true and accurate words that I've ever heard to the dream layout...he said something to the effect of have a great dream and A LOT OF MONEY!!!!!!!!
 
This layout is super impressive and that's the understatement of a lifetime.  However, it is not realistic nor is it based upon a prototype. 
 
Originally Posted by Bob Delbridge:

layout built by Tony Lash would by definition qualify as 3 Rail Scale then, correct Allan?

I've got a DVD showing his layout and I wouldn't consider it anything but a toy train layout packed full of animation.  Nice and big for what it is, but not what Allan said here:

 

Again, the intent is to make this designation inclusive of those striving to achieve a high level of realism with their 3-rail equipment, layouts, and operations, without including details that would, in effect, once again make things overly restrictive.

 

Sounds like there's more clarification needed. Maybe I'm missing something, but I hope this isn't the direction this sub-forum will take

 

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