...And On With the Pictures

Thanks,

Damin.

Awesome!

I just love those big trains!  Wish I could have been there!  Thanks for sharing.  

Would you be so kind . . .

This looks like a lot of fun...

for not a whole lot of money.  Maybe 500 bucks for rolling stock, 500 for a locomotive with sound, and a lot less for the lumber and rail.  Throw in a DCC controller and some tools and supplies, and there's enough there to keep someone busy for weeks.  What a great start this would be for anyone who doesn't have a whole lot of time or space but wants to build a quality layout.  And the fact that its O-scale makes it even more interesting.

How long is that, maybe 12 feet?

RPM...........

http://www.railroadprototypemodelers.com/history.htm

Peter

Now know what I am doing next

Are your switches hand built or factory made? If later what brand and size? Ie 4 6. Etc. Do you have to have 10 amp system to run the diesels?  i would like to use my 5 amp system to run it. 

Very nice job and thanks for

Very nice job and thanks for sharing. I like how the track is set up at the back of your layout, which inspires me to add another turnout to my two module project. Also seeing what can be done in that space is just more to tempt me to go O scale.

Nice photos....

Thanks for the Posting.

I visited you briefly during the March O Scale Meet.  At the time you were having problems with the Rail Driver(?) control system and your layout.  

Did you get those pesky bug worked out?

Do you recommend the RD control for public shows?  Was it easy to for your guests to operate?

You have a really neat layout that is portable and has good operating interest.

Great job!

You Started Something Here

     What a great way to have fun in a larger scale without a lot of space or investment. Very nicely done. I'm wondering how you use the RailDriver for Control? Are the screwdrivers used for uncoupling? So many questions.

Nice Layout

Your layout looks really good!

What are the dimensions of the layout and what track and switches did you use?

" i would like to use my 5 amp system "

Should be no problem, when I was modeling in O scale I could run three Weaver can motored  locos with an HO MRC powerpack. The best running O switcher I've used is an Atlas SW8 which is very efficient, it's quality reminds me of a Kato drive. The older Weaver locos are much like a big version of an Athearn blue box loco, simple  and easy to repair. Many current O locos are just 3 rail twin motor jobs converted to 2 rail use with high speed geared china drives so you can't just go by looks, ask questions and look at specs before ordering :> ) ..DaveB 

Very nice   Colin

Very nice

Colin

Re: Questions About the Layout

Bruce, I'm not a member of RPM.  After I exhibited the layout at the Chicago O Scale Show last March, I was looking for upcoming shows in my local area.  I saw the meet listed on the MRH calendar and emailed Joe about bring my layout to their meet.  The rest, as they say, is history...

Art, the track is regular Atlas O 2-rail flextrack and switches.  The turnouts are #5's.

As for power, the layout is operated using a SPROG III DCC programer.  It has a maximum output of 2.5 amps, enough to run a single O scale locomotive.  However, I'm thinking of installing a Tam Valley booster (3 amps continuous, 5 amps peak) for a little extra "insurance."

Damin; Fantastic! What more

Damin;

Fantastic! What more can I say. Since I saw the first post on the layout and watching through the loco build and now through your experience exhibiting. Great stuff mate.

I look forward to sharing with you when my own layout goes through the build process next year.

All the best and some more on RMWEB later on this week/this weekend.

All the best

No excuse...

Dear Station Agent, "Virginian" Rob, Art H, Deem, JTB,

Respectfully, you're all right, and there is no excuse.

https://www.carendt.com/small-layout-scrapbook/page-97a-may-2010/#chicago
(This is the "bigger brother" predecessor to the HO scale "Chicago Fork" $500 challenge layout from Sept '13 MRH...)

https://www.carendt.com/small-layout-scrapbook/page-98a-june-2010/#ho-chicago

http://www.carendt.com/scrapbook/page103a/#chicago-fork

http://www.carendt.com/scrapbook/page103a/forks.jpg

Happy Modelling,
Aim to Improve,
Prof Klyzlr

Marvellous Stuff

Rail Driver ...

... was wondering what sort of throttle you had set up there ... certainly adds to the WOW factor here!

Looks like you've pretty much built a 'Time Saver" ... do you operate it as one or is there some other operating scheme that you are working with?  I've been toying with an idea for an Inglenook in O-scale, perhaps even P-48 if I can get a grip on what is involved in converting the loco's wheel sets ... having a throttle like the Rail Driver would really make it fun to operate I'm thinking.  So much good stuff here, thanks again.  

Re: Timesaver

Dave O,

Yes the trackplan is similar.  However, I wasn't thinking of the Timesaver when I designed it; I just played around with the free track planning tool that Atlas used to have on their website until I found an arrangement that I liked.

If I were to do it over again, I'd probably get right of the kick-back sidings in the rear.  Instead, I'd have the two connect to the mainline and cross each other with a diamond.  That way I can switch the two sidings independently from one another.

As for operation, the layout can comfortably hold eight freight cars (more than that and it becomes an annoying, "move the empty space around" puzzle).  So I usually have a three car train on the mainline, five cars on the sidings, and proceed from there.  I've created a switch list form in Excel; so I can use that to keep track of where each car is to be spotted.

Thanks,

Damin.

Got Some Converts to O Scale!

I was at the show and have to say your layout really got the wheels of a lot of peoples minds turning with respect to looking at O scale.  Beautiful layout and thanks for bringing it!

Lance

Outstanding modeling!

Used to go to a local hobby shop to buy HO accessories, etc., but ended up staying far longer just stareing at the "O" scale stuff!! Im one of those who eventually "WILL" go "O" scale....when i have more room to do so! Great track work as well! Love the 2 rail "O" scale stuff!

RPM

Bruce asked:

perhaps in another thread, to explain what RPM is and what the goals of the members are. I haven't seen anything explaining why I should care about them.

RPM is an acronym for Railroad Prototype Modelers. it is a movement, not a defined organization. The recent RPM meet where this O scale switching layout was displayed has been held annually in a hotel in Naperville or Lisle, IL for the last 20 years. Main goals of these type of events is to share prototype details and model construction techniques. These events are usually built around a solid presentation schedule, a large model display room, and a number of vendors selling parts, kits, photos, and ephemera that are not commonly available in hobby shops or at other train shows. 

Why should you care about these meets? Because these events are becoming the future of the hobby in several ways. First, there is no membership to a larger organization.

Second, many of the presentations are inspiring manufacturers to produce prototype models. The recent Tangent GATX tank car and several other models have their roots in discussions and presentations at an RPM event.

Third, these events are attracting younger hobbyists who are interested in prototype fidelity.

Fourth, these informal events encourage discussion and conversation that inspires modelers to push their efforts further.

Fifth, the model display rooms are often an amazing collection of completed and in-process works. Did you check out the web gallery for the recent St. Louis RPM meet? 

I've been attending RPM events for over a decade and have enjoyed every one of them. These are a step above a regional NMRA convention.

Eric

Thank you, Eric!

"what is involved in converting the loco's wheel sets"

 No problem at all if you are willing to run diesels. NWSL makes drop in wheel sets for Weaver and Atlas locos. The best loco I can think of for a switching layout is an Atlas SW8-9 type switcher.It would take about 30 minutes or less to replace the wheels with P-48 wheels. If you prefer a road switcher the Weaver GP38-2 shown on this layout is a great choice and just a bit harder to convert. Weaver also makes a similar Alco RS3 if you need a little older model.I'd definitely recommend going with P-48 for a new O layout even if you never plan to detail it to the max, the proper gauge allows better models if the mood strikes and the P-48 wheels look a lot better even on less detailed models. P-48 wheels cost about $15 per car but a switching layout doesn't need too many cars  so for the same price you could have a few less P-48 cars but better looking cars. Since O scalers mostly build their own turnouts the work of laying P-48 or laying O is about the same. You might detail the P-48 track a bit more or you might not depending on your interests. Lastly before jumping into O or P-48 I'd suggest looking into S scale. O stuff is nice to look at individually but it's just too big to fit a satisfying layout  into most spaces. The turnouts are long, the curves are wide and the buildings and scenery takes up a lot of space so O layouts usually end up looking too compressed. S is just enough smaller to allow a better compression level so an S layout usually looks better than an O layout if built in the same space(I'm working down from O to S to HO and now N scale but if I had my choice in an ideal place I'd go with S for large scale modeling or TT for small scale modeling).The main disadvantage of S scale compared to O  is that there is a lot less stuff made in S so it's harder to buy than O stuff. If you do see S models that would meet your layout plan needs I'd take a good look at them before plunging into O though......DaveBranum

All about what is learned

Bruce, my experiences at RPM meets have helped me gain a better understanding of the details I see in a photo like this one on Shorpy.

The knowledge gained helps me become a better modeler.

Eric