O WTF am I doing?

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Living near some inspiring O scale layouts has gotten me interested in the possibilities that it presents.
Specifically, to do something very different from my 70s and 80s N scale modeling: the era before The Great War.

Railroading was very different back then, and recreating it in smaller scales is challenging because of the size of the equipment and lack of options for components.

Luckily, the On30 world has yielded an interest in "older" stuff in that scale, some of which translates. Additionally there have been some models made that would work out to form the nucleus of... something.

The primary one of these is an MTH PRR H3 2-8-0 that they released a while back. Finding one in 2 rail has been a challenge but eBay recently came through.

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The H3 was the SD40-2 of its time and PRR had close to 900 of them in 1900. By 1914 they were down to 588, but that's still a lot of locomotives.

Excitingly, there's one preserved 90 minutes away, too: http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/Locopicture.aspx?id=87027

Anyway, with the arrival of of this beauty I'm now on my way to getting into O.

I have no idea what I'm going to do layout wise. I'm going to keep it 2 rail O so it can run on some local layouts, and I'd love to do something here at the house, but I don't really know what or where. 

I've thought about maybe making some FreeMoO ish modules, or maybe a basic switching thing in the basement, and even had eyes towards building a building out back to house something.

But I guess for now I'll just get started building some models. Next up is a PRR ND caboose from Gloorcraft. I've never done something like this before so it should be fun.

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[Dave V]

You know how I feel about turn-of-the-last-century modeling.  It's different, it's more challenging, but it's also railroading in a much more primal form.  I really enjoy it.

As for a layout...  You may be an operator, but I would expect you'll want some sort of continuous running for your models to stretch their legs.  Then it boils down to space.  Not just how big your room is, but how much N scale layout space you're willing to give up for it.

You could always try a double-deck arrangement.  N scale below, O scale at eye level.  Duckunder through the doorway and all that.  Just a thought.

[Point353]

You'll be happy to have the larger scale trains when the eyesight begins to deteriorate.
I've been gradually accumulating various HO freight cars and locos in anticipation of that day.
Worst case, I still have my old Lionel trains.

[amato1969]

I've thought about maybe making some FreeMoO ish modules, or maybe a basic switching thing in the basement, and even had eyes towards building a building out back to house something.

Man cave out back!!!

[Philip H]

Man cave out back!!!

@Ed Kapuscinski has like 4 zones in his house that can be man caves . . . .

[DKS]

@Ed Kapuscinski has like 4 zones in his house that can be man caves . . . .

N, HO, O and G...

[Ed Kapuscinski]

@Ed Kapuscinski has like 4 zones in his house that can be man caves . . . .

The hilarious irony of this house is that while it does have a plethora of rooms, somehow not many of them are well suited to train layouts.

[DKS]

The hilarious irony of this house is that while it does have a plethora of rooms, somehow not many of them are well suited to train layouts.

Doesn't matter if the trains are running on the floor...

[Mark5]

Crazy Mofo! 

[Philip H]

The hilarious irony of this house is that while it does have a plethora of rooms, somehow not many of them are well suited to train layouts.

Well let's see:

• Basement - N scale empire
• Garage adjacent Man Cave/workshop
• home office

Just add track in one of your crappers and call it done.

[davefoxx]

Well let's see:

• Basement - N scale empire
• Garage adjacent Man Cave/workshop
• home office

Just add track in one of your crappers and call it done.

. . . and don't forget to cut a hole through a stair riser to reach the back room.  Oops, too soon?

DFF

[unittrain]

Will look forward to seeing your work in O as your N scale work is exceptional.

[Point353]

The hilarious irony of this house is that while it does have a plethora of rooms, somehow not many of them are well suited to train layouts.

Suspend the tracks from the ceiling or build a layout over the bar.

[Steveruger45]

No good, I’m too short for that🤨

[Ed Kapuscinski]

So what do you do with a new toy?

Take it apart!!

Seriously, I've been watching too much AvE...

Anyway, look at all this insanity in the tender. I think I'll be replacing this DCS nonsense with a normal Soundtrax decoder (unless folks have strong recommendations otherwise).



I also started working on removing some of the striping. This striping was applied to the prototype 1187 for display at the worlds fair but it never wore it while in service. So it's going away, much to Dr. Hottballz chagrin.