Now, the rest of the story...
As some of you who follow the On30 Line and Model Railroad Hobbyist discussion forums already know, I have decided to move on to another modeling challenge - after the end of 2014, the Estrella & Sonora Grande RR will be dismantled. I will be selling my trains and structures (the railroad, unfortunately, cannot be dismantled without destroying it). Over the next two months, I will be very busy photographing the layout, shooting some videos, and writing a few final articles.
I have already had a great response from friends and those interested in reserving a piece of the E&SG...if you are interested, see the Trading Post page on my website. But hurry, items are being reserved quickly.
Some may question my decision, but I am clear in what I want to achieve, although it may look more like ADD! In the 8+ years I have modeled in On30, I have made many friends, and essentially had the most fun I have had over more than four decades of fiddling with trains. ‘So, why leave then?’ may be your reply, and rightly so. Let me explain.
I’m currently modeling in narrow gauge because of ‘hooks’ set decades earlier...seeing the beautiful modeling in the Narrow Gauge & Short Line Gazette, magazine articles in other publications, and shows. While I was at the opposite side of the spectrum for decades, the desire was there deep down. In 2005, I purchased a Christmas village train set with Bachmann’s 2-6-0, and another hook was set - it was cool, and I started to reconsider why I was modeling in N scale at the time. In 2006, with Bachmann’s beautiful Climax and Porter models, it was all over - I had to switch to On30!
Fast forward to 2008...I am happily learning about On30, and I visit SoundTraxx while on vacation in Durango, Co. There I saw the first pilot model of their first offering under the now famous Blackstone label - a D&RGW K-27 ‘Mudhen’ HOn3 locomotive. I was amazed...heavy, beautifully detailed, killer Tsunami sound - a real value for the price. I was tempted then to inquire further, but the pull of On30 was still strong. The pull to the ‘Dark Side’ is strong!
Last year, I had the privilege of attending my first Narrow Gauge Convention in Pasadena. There I saw incredible modular layouts featuring fantastic modeling in HOn3...and everyone was running Blackstone steam locomotives on their layouts. The impact was stunning. I visited the Slim Gauge Guild’s marvelous HOn3 and Sn3 layouts, and again - the hook was set deeper! I saw wonderful modeling in On30 and other scales/gauges as well, but I was more than impressed with the potential and smooth operation that HOn3 could offer for someone with very limited space for a layout.
So, the appeal of HOn3 has become too great for me to ignore...and here we are. It truly has been a privilege being a member of the On30 modeling community, and the friendships I have made along the way have been a blessing. I will keep my hand in the scale at a limited extent. One regret is the impact my departure might have on the Arizona On30 Desperados, but my friends have forgiven my heresy...maybe they will still let me hang around!
Speaking of the Desperados, fellow member Dave Meek will be adding a section of my E&SG into his layout: my San Lorenzo diorama will have a wonderful new home on his stunning Thunder Mesa Mining Co. layout! I am delighted that the timing worked out so well, and that it will be in a place where it will fit, and can be enjoyed. I even get visitation rights! I am truly honored to have my work featured on his fine layout.
Here is Dave’s revised track plan incorporating San Lorenzo, and a little mining town next door named ‘Estrella’:
As for my website, I will keep it up for at least several years, keeping the memories of the E&SG fresh. I will be posting my progress on my new project, the Piños Alta Branch of the D&RGW...it will be built in the same space currently occupied by the E&SG, with standards that will allow portability. I will set up a new website parallel to this one to share progress on my new project, and it will be a lot of fun. For starters, the story of FRIJOLENE has just begun - layout plans will include a small refining plant and perhaps an agricultural warehouse. I hope you can come along for the ride!
- Verne
