Want some inspiration as well as information?

Join the NNG "Off the Beaten Track" group on Groups.io - https://groups.io/g/NNG

There is a monthly Zoom meet (recorded) on the second Tuesday of each month. 

The video archives are at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxOME2uhLL-pPTiRfyAu6Qw for the most recent sessions and https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-pc9_xA-w2t3RdhLZ7BNOA (scroll down to Off the Beaten Track) for older ones. 

It's hosted by Russ Segner, who I believe is running the next National Narrow Gauge convention in Tacoma, WA, as well as Marc Lachey, Gerry Cornwell, Dave Adams, and Pete Smith. I'm sort of along for the ride. 

Thanks! I will!

Thanks! I will!

Michael

I wish you all kinds of joy and enthusiasm for this new adventure.

Advice, cut your self some floor templates for structures you want to use or build and plan out bits and pieces of your new RR in full size so you have a good idea of the space needed for what you want to do.

Jack

Watch your minimum radii

HI Michael,

3 comments -

1 - Watch your designed minimum radii. Some of the MMI stuff is less "flexible" when it comes to how tight a radius you can bend it around. For guidance, have a look at: 

https://model-railroad-hobbyist.com/sites/model-railroad-hobbyist.com/files/users/Prof_Klyzlrfiles/On30Loco_n_Car_Radius_pics.pdf

Please have a good read of page 1. Once you go below the "Practical Minimum Radius" then your tracklaying standard has to be "good" or better. 

2 - Watch your trackside clearances. The K27 is a big unit - with big cylinders down low, they have been reported as wiping out anything too close to the tracks on curves - like turnout throws when set for the diverging track.

3 - watch your track separation - especially on curves. You will have to increase the amount of setback from the turnout in loops to avoid sideswipes by passing trains. 

Others have commented already on building footprints being 4x larger than you are used to. 

Apart from those caveats, have fun and I look forward to seeing what your new On30 empire morphs into.  

First build...

So, this is the first O scale build getting started.
Yorke's Pool hall & Bordello in 1:48.
I have built it in H0 before so I have some knowledge of how to build it.

Rule G enforced?

Found your RRs beer. 

https://akabanebussan.co.jp/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/46010.jpg

Dan

I've started the

I've started the build.
Yorke's Pool hall and Bordello.

The table seems small now...

CAD time

I've drawn a saloon interior for the kit:

What do you think?

I've made some changes....

I got some input from someone who has better knowledge of these things.

Now it's one "fancy wall" and at the back of the saloon.
There's a barber chair and around the table there'll be a poker game.

Michael

I've always enjoyed your posts and your excellent craftsmanship.  I was sorry to see you stopping the HOn3 layout, but completely get the "aging eyes" thing.  I really look forward to following along in your new On30 journey.

As for the saloon interior, I sort of liked the first iteration, myself.  But the new one is good, too, although I don't get the barber chair...  A suggestion:  Many bars and saloons had a full length mirror behind the bar, or at least a very large one.

Al Carter, Mount Vernon, WA

Progress

I designed the interior in Fusion 360 and sliced it in Chitubox for preparing it to print on my trusty old Anycubic Photon S resin printer.

This is how the file look for the wall:

And this is fresh from the printer:

I use a water soluble resin as it is much less toxic.

After trimming the supports and hardening it in the UV chamber, I glued it together with CA:

Theres a bit more sanding and a bit of filler needed at the joint, but I think it will look smashing!

Really nice

3D printing is a boon to detailers.  That is going to look fantastic when all painted up and installed.

Thanks! I primed the back

Thanks!

I primed the back wall with Tamiya dark brown.


Then I added some drybrushing and painted the pillars black..

The walls are (maybe) going to get wallpaper, I haven't decided yet

Finally, a Saloon!

I have printed and painted the last of the interior pieces except for the chandelier...

A bit more....

I primed the floor with Vallejo IDF sand:

I had some wallpaper printed out and glued it to the walls, it wrinkled nicely vertically, which made it more life like:

It's getting there:

Looks really great!

Beautiful modeling, sir. Looking forward to your work. Thank You for sharing.

More interior decorating.,

I weathered the floor a bit and glued the interior in place.

Now for the rest of the detailing.  
I haven't decided which type of light fixtures to use yet.

A wood chandelier?

A wooden chandelier would be cool.

Yes.

A wooden chandelier, yes, but which kind?

From old movies

I think they often used old wagon wheels as chandeliers.  Would be an interesting project.

First test of my K-27

Repair of another loco

I got this Bachmann 4-6-0 in On30.

The plug between the locomotive and tender was broken (the wires were broken off...).

So after some repair work I tested it:

details

You need some playing cards on that table. Make the two guys each be showing their hand. One has 2 aces, the other guy has 3 aces. That will add spice to the scene!

I've just started to paint

I've just started to paint the walls of the Saloon. I use a variety of Vallejo and MIG paints.

I just applied the enamel panel line wash on the bricks.