Cool!

Dave, I love the 'plug in' concept...too bad more railroads don't incorporate a module that can stand on its own. I remember the Gorre & Daphtetid started out as a lowly 4x8, which was worked into John Allen's master plan. But to be able to take it on the road...that is uniquely cool.

I like the design, you have a knack for forced perspective and fitting a lot into a little space. I should use some of those tricks on my own layout plan, I will be watching your project closely!

Finally, love #1, the Cordelia! Looks like a Koppel-meets-Porter fusion of ferroequinology, and it has tons of charm. Yes, I'll use the 'c' word, it is cute. There, I said it...

Little Steamers

Thanks Verne, that's what I was going for with the loco. I don't mind the word "cute" at all. It may look like something from an amusement park but given the railroad's inspirations and aspirations that's not such a bad thing. Drawing it was easy. Building the model will be more of a challenge!

This layout is being designed very much as an obvious caricature. It's a "crowd pleaser" with a whimsical setting that will probably appeal more to the general public than to seasoned model railroaders. There will be movement and sounds and animation to grab the attention of the young (and young at heart) with the aim of sharing the joy and fun that can be had in this hobby. 

This looks like fun!

I can't wait to see how this develops!  Especially interested in the little tea pot.  Part of your work may be done for you.  Can you use this?

http://www.shapeways.com/product/JDY73BT58/009-porter-all-parts?li=search-results-1&optionId=13234844

I have considered buying that kit myself to see what I could do with it.

Den

Nice

Nice find, Den, thanks for the link. I could almost certainly make use of those parts. I wouldn't mind starting with one of the Minitrains chassis either if I can find one available. 

Parts is parts

While equipment is being discussed...

I have these open coaches just begging to be put to work...created by Daniel Caso, they have excellent detail, including roof doo-dads that would fit right in with your theme! Have two unassembled closed coaches from him and other stuff, we can chat offline!

We have a deal

I sent you an email, Verne. Put 'em in my shopping cart with the rest!

Gracias, amigo

Cool, thanks!

As far as steam goes...

Here are few more items for modification produced for HOn30. 

http://www.shapeways.com/product/D99C78JE8/hon30-pbr-decauville-861?li=search-results-7&optionId=43337018

  http://www.shapeways.com/product/5YGM85KSL/hon30-small-short-combine?li=search-results-7&optionId=5635569  You can find more shorty cars like this.

http://www.shapeways.com/product/B6DSJ5CZX/hon30-small-baggage-car?li=search-results-7&optionId=5747823

http://www.shapeways.com/product/KLQ2LPGAK/hon30-small-long-combine?li=search-results-7&optionId=5748518

http://www.shapeways.com/product/SK82GPRMC/hon30-hopper-wood-body?li=search-results-9&optionId=1582713

http://www.shapeways.com/product/BBP5HHYEX/hon30-13ft-4w-reefer?li=search-results-13&optionId=5753708

http://www.shapeways.com/product/UTHK4WEE8/3083-hon30-keelung-ore-car-2pcs?li=search-results-21&optionId=12277554

And if you needed diesels there are Whitcombs, Plymouths and such as this;

http://www.shapeways.com/product/Y8LRHTBZJ/oo9-centrecab-locomotive-2-quot-joanna-quot?li=search-results-34&optionId=19985825

This should give you some ideas.  I found all this by searching Shapeways for HOn30.

Den

Dave I love the drawings and

Dave I love the drawings and the concept. Great fun, and perfect material for the MRH mag.

Mike

Shapeways

Thanks for the links, Den. A quick search for On18 on Shapeways also turned up this great little caboose:  http://www.shapeways.com/product/E38GL7QZM/on18-12ft-caboose-1?li=search-results-4&optionId=41221374

And this 12' gon:  http://www.shapeways.com/product/XPX4QC8GK/on18-on20-12ft-gondola-high?li=search-results-5&optionId=12326903

As well as many other fun goodies 

I agree!

I agree...this would make a great series of articles on the concept of a stand-alone module that can be separated from a layout to help promote the hobby. Dave could hopefully give us more tricks on his incredible rock carving, and his thoughts behind the design.

Calico Central?

Thanks guys. A series of articles might be fun, and I'll be documenting the whole build anyway. Hmmm.

Remember

Remember when using Shapeways to look up all deratives such as On18 0n18 O9 09 55n2 etc you get lots more goodies!

Tascosa and Calico?

Dear Dave,

Rings a bell to a 2-part article in MR of the "Tascosa and Calico" (sp?) by John Olson from the late 80s/90s???
(search engine says Oct + Nov 1993 MR)

Might be worth a wander thru the library for old-time's sake...

Happy Modelling,
Aim to Improve,
Prof Klyzlr

John Olson

I have those old MR's in my collection with John Olson's articles on the T&S. Great stuff. That layout was in HOn3 with re-gauged Flying Zoo motive power if I remember correctly.

O-18

might be worth keeping an eye on the Backwoods Miniatures web site. They've just gone into O-18 and have lots of small 4 wheel On3/On30 cars that would look good on 9mm chassis.

http://www.backwoodsminiatures.com/0n3kits.htm

good luck

Dave - I'm sure you've seen this...

....... but just in case you haven't   http://www.bates-r-us.org/birdwater/

Best

Jack

Backwoods

Yup, love the Backwoods Miniature's stuff. Their first On18/0/9 kit is a beauty but a gasoline powered critter is a little "late" for my era.

@Jack- Yes, love those cartoons.

love it

You and Joe D'Amato really need to get together and make a layout

Look like fun, Dave! I almost

Someday somehow.....

if I can ever afford all those wonderful Blackstone locos, the "Black and Blue" will be having a competing HOn3 line running through the Sighattica Mountains along with it. Maybe it will start as an add on module as well. Looking forward to your new project Dave!

Michael

Vertical Boiler Beginnings

The first On18 locomotive I'm going to build will be a tiny vertical boiler critter. I received the 3d printed superstructure from Shapeways today.

I'm still waiting on the Kato 103 drive unit to power the contraption. Right now I'm thinking about how I'll modify and detail the body. Already I can see that the stack will need to be taller or the engineer will constantly be getting smoke and soot in his eyes.

I've started a new thread for the build of this little critter here:  https://forum.mrhmag.com/post/on18-critter-build-12199548

I like this

I love narrow gauge, and can't wait to see what comes out of your workshop.  What is the ruling grade?  It has to be pretty steep to get high enough in the short run.

Grade

Thanks. The ruling grade will have to be about 5% to clear the crossover. That's pretty steep but still workable for short trains. The key will be to get as much weight as possible into the locos.