N-Scale - What is the average mind set?

[Denver Road Doug]

No.....thank-you for the laughs. You take the 3 foot rule litterally. It's a loose term that's been around for decades. Yes it means standing from 3 feet away but it also means what we don't notice won't hurt us when it comes to scale fidelity. Sure we squint at our models from 6" away but if we don't know or care to know if the air cylinders on the trucks are right or wrong, what difference does it make??? All that matters is the major proportions are right or close to right and current Mfg's are doing a good job with this.  A good number of N scalers wouldn't know how to tell a GP-7 from a GP-9. Do they care? Not many do. Are they having fun? Yes. Get the picture? FUN. Can you say that word, Robert?

First off...I'm not picking on you jlong, just thought your post kinda summed up the "pro-3-foot-rule" group.

I kinda find it almost Twilight-Zone-like that all the harshness is coming out in SUPPORT of the "3-foot-rule".   The Railwire has always been, and always *should* be, about pushing the envelope.   By the very nature of what gets done here on a weekly basis, that SHOULD include turning the 3-foot-rule into the 2-foot-rule, or (gasp!) 1-foot-rule.    And for those of you being so all-of-a-sudden hyper literal, that means the goal is to make models and scenes that still hold up after taking a step or two forward.

I like the 3-foot-rule.   It's awesome, because I'm not yet at the level most of y'all are around here.   I use it all the time.  It's a crutch....quite simply an excuse to get by with being lazy or not trying to improve my skills.   I don't see that as something The Railwire stands for.   I do agree that the majority of modelers subscribe to that, (as I said, I do) and I'm fine with that because it IS about having fun and nobody should have to be overly criticized for their hobby.   BUT, nobody's holding a gun to our head and making us participate on THIS forum....come'on guys!   Don't get soft on us...

[DKS]

I kinda find it almost Twilight-Zone-like that all the harshness is coming out in SUPPORT of the "3-foot-rule". The Railwire has always been, and always *should* be, about pushing the envelope... come'on guys! Don't get soft on us...

I should come clean, here, and confess that I use the 3-foot rule as well. Yes, me. The one who puts rivets on top of rivets. Just as it is for some others here, I model to establish a mood, to recreate a geographic and temporal setting. I use the "rule" because I derive no real satisfaction from making sure that the brake cylinders on the loco are the correct ones. Or that it has the proper exhaust stack. I don't adhere to that kind of accuracy because it does nothing for me. I don't object to it; it's just not a need of mine. I am not so learned in the real railroading world that I can glance at a piece of rolling stock and declare, "it has the wrong trucks," and I have no inclination to become an expert because life is too short, and I don't have enough time to accomplish the things I really desire as it is.

That's not to say I have something against those who do get all of the details right. Some fellows do truly stunning work! But for myself, if I look at a model scene, and find myself getting sucked into a different time and place, then it's a success, and I'm in my element. That's what I strive to do, because that's my goal. I'm very aware of--and perfectly OK with--the fact that other modelers have different goals. Conversely, I do take exception to those who would criticize me--or any other modeler--for having different goals, because that smacks of "modeling discrimination" or "hobby snobbery." If someone tells me my loco has the wrong number boards or whatever, assuming it's presented in a supportive manner, I will thank them and then consider if it's worth correcting. If, however, I'm admonished or ridiculed for getting the details wrong, or omitting them, then someone's poking a stick in a hornet's nest.

It should go without saying (or maybe not) that the "3-foot rule" is not a rule. It's just an expression that helps define one's goals. For myself, it means that my focus is not on specific details, but on setting the scene. N scale's strength, after all, is its high scenery- (or building-) to-train ratio, so it's the ideal scale for establishing the "big picture." The ones who are really pushing the envelope are the ones that get all the details right. If I'm pushing any envelopes, then it's in getting the bigger picture right. So, the 3-foot rule is in effect for me. In a manner of speaking, naturally.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Ha, I think that should be one of The Railwire's taglines...   

Yup.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

I took this photo in 1991.

Wait, what??

I was looking at it and reading the reply and thinking "yeah, that looks really nice". Then I read that.

Dayum.

[fredmoehrle]

After almost loosing my sight, and a subsequent cornea transplant so I'm not blind in one eye, I find the level of detail I choose to be much less then what I would do in HO scale 20 years ago.

That being said, I am putting the bell notches and nose light casting on the latest two AA GP-35's.
Am I going to carve off the hand grabs or replace the fans, no, they look fine lightly weathered to me.
Those are very noticeable things to me, and I'll probably retrofit the rest of my fleet.
(Just need one moreGP-35 ph1b non-dynamic for 393!)
Anyone know of a N scale plastic loco bell?

Have I weathered some of my cars, maybe a handful, though acquisition has slowed down appreciatively, and when I find duplicates, I'll change the numbers on one and lightly weather it.

Now, tractor trailers, I grunge up bad!

[sirenwerks]

I agree with you David.  One of N scale's strong points is the ability to have more scene by the foot and to not have to selectively compress landscape and architecture as much as larger scales.  But conversely "3 foot rule" also has popularly (at least here) come to mean a style of modeling where 36" inches, give or take, is the closest a modeler cares to get to his product; a commodious denial style of modeling.  And I think that's what TRW has pitted itself against, not stepping back and making sure the element fits in the aura.

[6axlepwr]

(Just need one moreGP-35 ph1b non-dynamic for 393!)
Anyone know of a N scale plastic loco bell?

The only plastic bell I know of would be from the Life Like SW9/12.

When I started this thread, I was sort of in a funk about N-Scale. But since then, some new things and ideas have come about and my goals have changed. I am all in for the most detail I can put on. On locos, rolling stock and scenery. The layout is one of those things I may never have, but if I ever get around to putting one up, I will go as far as I can. I would really like to see how far one can push the scale. Last night I accomplished something that even HO scale modelers do not have yet. Soon to be seen as part of an article I am doing up for MRH. I am very excited about my future in N-Scale. A renewed spark of interest has happened for me.

Brian

[C855B]

The only plastic bell I know of would be from the Life Like SW9/12.

LL GP20, as well.

[DKS]

Anyone know of a N scale plastic loco bell?

Atlas has two styles of replacement plastic bell parts. If you can find anyone with a stock of Detail Associates parts, they made an N scale plastic loco bell. I believe Sunrise did as well, but it may have been metal. And finally, Miniatures by Eric makes a few different bells, but I believe they may all be metal.

[6axlepwr]

I've been trying to get the Atlas ones for a long time. The SD35 came with a nice underframe bell. Probably the best looking N-Scale bell because it was injection molded. Can't beat injection molding. Can't pay for it, but can't beat it.

Yes, you are correct. Detail Associate part number 8203. Sort of looks like a bell.

And yes again, Miniatures By Eric makes a number of bells. The underframe bell is not a bell or at least does not look like one. His parts are brass. There is one steam bell, but it looks a bit big for the AA bell int he nose notch.

If you can lay your hands on the Atlas one form the SD35, that is your best bell. I have one and I am going to make a metal master from it and use it for casting.

Brian

[wm3798]

There's an ebay vendor, can't remember who, but if you do a search for N scale parts, his listings should come up.  Pretty much carries the whole Atlas inventory.  Probably a modest mark up over the catalog, but readilly available going all the way back to the old Atlas Rivarossi steam era.

As for 3' away, that's all I ever did.  Occasionally I'd tease out the details when something is close to the aisle, or naturally an eye catcher, like a small urban scene, but for the most part close enough is close enough.



If that's not good enough for ya, you can build your own!

Lee

[sirenwerks]

There's an ebay vendor, can't remember who, but if you do a search for N scale parts, his listings should come up.  Pretty much carries the whole Atlas inventory.  Probably a modest mark up over the catalog, but readilly available going all the way back to the old Atlas Rivarossi steam era.

As for 3' away, that's all I ever did.  Occasionally I'd tease out the details when something is close to the aisle, or naturally an eye catcher, like a small urban scene, but for the most part close enough is close enough.



If that's not good enough for ya, you can build your own!

Lee

Reminds me of Harpers Ferry.

[wm3798]

Reminds me of Eric's basement!

[davefoxx]

Reminds me of Cambridge.  I'll miss those trips.

[Nato]

                                  Well Boys, This Thread has just gotten more and more interesting since I contributed way back when. I use to be a Conceited Modeler, but now I' am a perfect one.                                                I think it is time for me to switch scales, if I switched to "Zee" I could faithfully model the entire state of Nevada in a Basket Ball Gym, "Egad" just think what I could do in T Gauge with all that space. In closing I would like to thank everyone for their thoughtful and stimulating comments and to Robert for that blast from the past photo. Nate Goodman (Nato).