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On30 Christmas Question


Here is Don and Carol's layout with On30 in front and smaller scales in back to create a 'forced perspective' effect. Nice work, folks!

Over 3 years ago, after more than 30 years in the commercial printing business, I became disabled at the ripe old age of 59. For Christmas that year my wife gave me an HO train set. We had been collecting the Department 56 porcelain buildings and I set up a layout in her former sun room. Because of the limited space the layout measures 4 by 19 feet. It didn’t take long to see that the HO set was way too small for the buildings. A year later my wife gave me an On30 train set. I think it looks pretty good!

My question is: why don’t more magazines deal with On30 scale? I am building a small, 3-1/2 x 6 foot, N-scale Christmas layout, but the larger On30 is still my pride and joy since it’s the first ever layout I’ve built. It really is a multiple scale layout incorporating HO and N for a forced perspective. The village in the mountains is N and the cabin behind the farm is HO. Back to the Question: As you can see from the picture, I have used the porcelain buildings from Department 56 as well as those produced for Michael’s craft stores. My wife painted the “snow” on the roofs and made the buildings look quite good.

I like the way Model Railroad News deals with all the scales in reviewing and giving opinions concerning the many areas of the hobby, I just wished it had something on On30 scale. Keep up the good work. I look forward to receiving my next issue. Obviously, you are free to use any or none of the information I’ve given you. One thing I have learned in the hobby from reading all the magazines is that the most important thing about model railroading is the ability to enjoy it.

Sincerely,
Don Courliss
Jonesborough, TN
Thanks for the kind words, Don. I personally hold On30 in great affection and would gladly cover more of it. Unfortunately, the market is limited. Bachmann more or less originated the scale, putting O gauge trains on HO scale track, which is 2-1/2 foot gauge in 1:48 scale. Aside from the purists who claim that the number 30 in its name should not be inches but feet, the scale is pretty popular with those who do just as you are doing, modeling holiday scenes. There is also a year-round contingent who use Peco track to get prototypical tie spacing, but the market is still small and searches for another major manufacturer to sign on and give it some momentum. Aside from the Bachmann train set last Christmas, we have had a single Bachmann 0-4-2 steam locomotive since. Their Shay is slated to appear in the next few months, and we’ll have our own expert, Jeff Saxton, give it a good look. Meanwhile, I completely agree about enjoying model railroading. —Ed.
DCC and the Christmas Loop

To Russ Boehm:

I’m one of those who put up a G scale (floor) layout for Christmas only and use the standard (DC?) power supply. I have read a few articles on DCC but did not read what problem, or desire, DCC was developed to solve. I read your September article and wondered if you could point me to information that would help me understand why there is a demand for what ever this technology provides. Thanks.

A. J. Miller
Houston, TX
Hi A.J.,

Thanks for stopping by and taking time to write. While DCC will deliver far more than you would need to run a loop of track for a few weeks, I think you would find the entertainment value improved tremendously with the addition of a sound decoder to your locomotive and an entry level system to run it. Unless you have multiple locomotives, multiple operators, and a fairly complex operating scheme, I don’t think a higher level of investment would be worthwhile. I’ll be reviewing two entry systems, the MRC Prodigy and the Digitrax Zephyr in the near future and these might interest you. The Digitrax system runs about $200 and the Prodigy is around $150. You’ll spend another $150 - $175 for a sound decoder. Sound pricey? It’ll pale in comparison to the look on your face the first time you blow the whistle.

There are some details you will need to check here. I don’t know if the Digitrax unit can handle the amperage of your G scale locomotive but I do know that Prodigy will. The other detail associated with amperage is the ability of a Soundtraxx decoder to handle the load. You can reach Digitrax at 770-441-7992 and Soundtraxx at 970-259-0690. —Russ
Some publishing suggestions

I have really enjoyed your publication since I discovered it a few years ago. While I like the current changes, in fact it would be nice if it were more magazine-sized, easier to store. Thank you (and Russ Boehm) very much for the DCC column. It couldn’t have started, for me, at a better time.

Although I’m mostly in N scale, I read pretty much everything, cover to cover. What’s the possibility of an N-Scale column? I know there is coverage in other publications, and two N-scale only magazines, but the same applies to S scale, Large scale, etc. Just wondering.

Anyway, thanks for your efforts, and I’ll try not to let my subscription lapse again.

Jim Flynn
via the internet
Hi Jim,

In regards to our format size, we have an ongoing debating society around it all the time, but the simple fact is that everytime we talk about changing to a standard magazine page size, only a few folks applaud while the rest howl with anguish. We have the same amount of space with half the page flipping. Besides, our mag kinda stands out in a crowd. As to an N-scale column, I’d love to add one, but first we have to find a writer/photographer. Our columnists are not paid, but we still want some great writing, so there’s the problem. —Ed.
Review Requested

I have just received my Kato HO Business Car in CB&Q. I don’t remember reading a review on it, but at 73, I sometimes forget important things. Four years ago I called Kato to ask if they would consider making a Business Car for HO like the N gauge one in production. They said no as they felt that the cost of the car would be too high, and they expected minimal sales. My reply was that there were 180,000 model railroaders and that I believed at least 40% would buy one. Perhaps my plea didn’t fall on deaf ears, for the cars are now here.

My Burlington car is now here, and I have ordered the Canadian Pacific version. All I can really say is that the cars are beautiful and Kato has done an outstanding job. Compared to what we had in 1956 when I started this wonderful hobby, this is the difference between smoke signals and the computer. If you haven’t reviewed it yet I would suggest you do, and if you have and I’ve forgotten, well chalk it up to an old guy having a senior moment.

The one thing I haven’t forgotten is the GREAT job you are doing with Model Railroad News. Keep it up and you’ll keep me and our club happy subscribers.

Sincerely,

Keith W. Brownfield
26 Street Model Engineers
Sacramento, CA
We’ll keep it up, Keith.

And we’ll be reviewing the Kato Business Car in the next issue, we hope. I’ve photographed the car, and it is very nice. Our stalwart researcher/writer Dave Otte is doing the honors, and I expect another zinger from him. —Ed.


Here's a view of the 'Burlington' which is the name of a C.B.&Q. business car. This Kato model has not yet had detail parts added, as that is a job for the reviewer, a process he'll be describing for you.
HO Vehicle Question

To Bill McKean:

I am looking for possibly both models of the Ertl Dodge pick-ups in HO scale, the 1500 and the 3500. I live in Lincoln, NE and there is no dealer located near me. Can you help me as to how much they cost and maybe a website I can visit to possibly purchase them?

Thank You,

Stephen
stephen_socha@hotmail.com
The Ertl Dodge Ram 1500 and 3500 pickup trucks were the high point of an abortive attempt by Ertl to enter the HO scale market. A couple of railroad cars from the steam era, a couple of assembled “pre-weathered” buildings, three or four tractors, a backhoe and the two trucks were about it. It appears that nearly all the items offered are now out of production, particularly the Dodges.

A quick check of eBay found exactly one example being offered at 3-4 times the retail price. “Collector’s item” is the term being used.

A search of the website of a major distributor [Walthers] revealed the backhoe still available, but nearly everything else in HO from Ertl was a companion to “Thomas the Tank Engine.”

I’d treat this as you would any other desireable item that has been dropped by the factory — check hobby shops in person and on the Internet, and try placing a “Wanted” ad on the 1/87 Vehicle Club website (www.1-87vehicles.org) Best of luck, —Bill
DCC Readiness

I read with interest your review of Kato’s HO Scale SD80MAC and SD90/43MAC and was real disturbed by the “DCC Notice from KATO” that a “minor adjustment to a motor lead” is required for proper DCC operation. With DCC taking such a foothold in our hobby, can someone explain to me why Kato would put an engine on the market that is NOT just plug and run DCC Compatible? I have the same question for Like-Like and its Proto2000 series. You have to either add resistors or change light bulbs in the engine before you can run them on DCC. This was understandable several years ago, but today it is just inexcusable and can only be either stubbornness on the part of the company to accept DCC or just a total lack of understanding today’s DCC market. They better wake up, DCC is here to stay, and the companies that embrace it and make their products truly compatible will be the big winners and those who don’t will rightfully lose.

Mike Burdulis
Camp Hill, PA
Hi Mike,

They’re awake, believe me. I once asked Lewis Polk, owner of Aristo-Craft, if he ever stayed awake at night worrying about his quarter-million dollar investment in tooling for the 1:29 scale SD45. He said it kept him awake every night. The process of bringing a product to market requires years of planning and manufacturing. The products entering the pipeline right now have been under construction for around a year, at least. From first conception to delivery at hobby shops can be a three year turn-around.

George Riley of Athearn, when asked why they don’t put “standard” DCC plugs in their locos asks, “Which standard?” He notes that there is an 8-pin and a 9-pin plus these can be plugs or sockets. Not all decoder manufacturers support all plug types, so when you choose a given plug, you are leaving someone out. DCC may be here, but it is also sort of a new frontier. Your best bet is to join NMRA and actively participate in their standardization process, adding more positive energy to establish standards which locomotive and decoder makers can unite behind. —Ed.
Baldwin letter response

In response to James C. (Jim) Martin’s letter in the November 2002 issue of Model Railroad News, the Illinois Railway Museum has several Baldwin locomotives at their facility in Union, Illinois, east of Rockford 20 or so miles. These locomotives include Columbus and Greenville #606, AS-416; Minneapolis, Northfield and Southern #21, DT-6-6-2000; Wyandotte Terminal #103, VO-660. Also related, a Lima S-12 from Armco Steel is there. This is probably one of the premier rail museums available with just a lot of diesel, steam electric, passenger and freight cars, and other equipment. Much of it is restored and in running condition, a lot of “material” is awaiting work and funding, and literally miles of track are under roof for one’s viewing enjoyment. Hope this is of interest.

Robert Bochenek
via the internet
Thanks Robert. Railroad museums are often the last refuge and sanctuary for worthy old machines which helped to build America. They deserve our patronage and support. —Ed.
A reader responds to a DCC letter

This is a response for Bob Shaffer’s question about the Berkshire Valley Route and the great DCC question (October 2002 issue Model Railroad News).

I am modeling the Berkshire Valley Route as well. I have modified the plan somewhat but the big dual line figure 8 is still intact.

I went DCC, Digitrax to be exact. Run, don’t walk, to DCC. If you are true to the plan, there is one reversing section that climbs down from the top level to the lower level and the one which is the turntable. Whether you go DCC or not, you will have the reverse polarity issue in two places.

I am staying somewhat true to the power districts. Where the mill is in your layout, I have a coal mine with a Peco 3-way switch. The stub coming off the line under the bridge continues in my adjusted plan to go under the top level and come into a town I added as a 4 X 4 section. Basically the layout is the original 4 X 12 but with a 4 X 4 section added to create an L-shape.

I am using the Digitrax PM42 Power Manager to manage the districts. I have 3 districts, and I use the 4th portion of the Power Manager to act as the reverse loop for my turntable. I did not do the reverse line that is in the plan, only the turntable. My power districts are the yard, the mine and figure 8, and my town that I added.

The PM42 or any of the commercial auto-reversing units will “sense” the short of the wheels to the track and reverse the polarity of the track in the wink of an eye — so fast, most trains do not even pause. It is all handled for you. I hope this helps.

Doug Fraser
Brampton, ON Canada
Thanks Doug. We here at MRN always appreciate it when our readers dig in to share their knowledge and experience. We get a better magazine, and you get a better hobby. —Ed.
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