One of the fun things this gal loves about O gauge trains is the challenge of mixing and matching 027 and scale engines and cars to come up with a consist that looks just right (to me, at least).
Seemingly, the different manufacturers have systems of measurement, for both “traditionally sized” and scale products, that vary from brand to brand-and even within a brand,the blueprint of a model may have been altered by the maker, over time–Lionel is certainly an example of that.
For instance, my K-Line 027 S-2 is usually coupled to a K-line scale 40’ boxcar of the same road name, and they look well proportioned together; the S-2 has a 33/4" cab height and the boxcar is 31/2" high. Works for me, even though the S-2 is a less than scale length. MTH, on the other hand, lists their equivalent boxcar at 33/4" high.
My two kidlet nephews (eleven and thirteen year olds) have so much HO stuff, they could stock a store. To those scamps, my trains are “wrong” (translation: their trains are “models,” mine are-bite your tongue-TOYS!)
I usually reply with something along the line of-the older you get, the more important toys become, which just draws blank looks from them.
Now, if I can only get the companies to paint their stuff to my aesthetic-I’m thinking a Dash-8, in fuchsia with gold trucks…
According to some of the postwar Lionel history that has been published, Lionel had the philosophy locomotives are the star of the show and freight cars are the props. This is part of the reason why postwar Lionel diesels such as F3’s, Trainmasters, GP-9’s, and NW switchers are close to 1/48 scale but freight cars such as 6464 boxcars are scaled down a bit. The ability to handle small curve radi had some to do with it to I’m sure. If the track radi were purley the case, you would think they would of scaled down their diesels as well.
You are right that some of the scaled down equipment looks right with scale equipment. Modern grain hoppers and boxcars for example dwarf first generation diesels.
We have 2 pieces of scale size. A Lionel SF F3, and a Weaver NH boxcar (State of Maine). The F3 blends in nicely with our toy sized rolling stock, but the boxcar doesn’t. It sits higher than all the others. So it’s a shelf queen reminder of when I used to see them go by me by the dozen at crossings when I was younger.
When I watch a real train go by ,I look at the different size cars and have decided that if the real thing has so many sizes of box,tank,ect. how can ours be wrong. Maybe the exception would be the small 027 cars.
My 221 with a 1060T tender pulling as many 1970’s and 1980’s mixed road name freight cars as we can lay hands on. if we get really daring we add my post war quad hoppers!also notice in the bottom photo there is a brown Marx livestock car.[:O]
No trains “falling off the table” issue with the little guy! Great pics. Next you’ll be telling us you can pump all your trains sounds through the surround sound system and play on board cam videos live on the wide screen.
What do I know about scale or semi-scale? Nothing. I live in the beat up trailer that I pull from town to town in an even more beat up Caddy. But when I settle down and make my fortune it doesn’t really matter what I wind up with- just as long as it makes me happy. In the mean time could anyone spare a cold beer? [:)]
Boy, I miss seeing photos of your old layout, Jon. No one captures the urban look quite like you do. Looking forward to seeing shots of your new layout - soon I hope! You can stop by for a beer. But you have to park that heap out back.
LOL, Jim!!![:D] I’m used to that!!! The track is down and I’m just stating on the “plaster over contruction paper with rock mold phase”.[:O] I’ve always wanted to try it!! I’ll keep you posted on the success or failure of it!!! Thanks for the beer!!![:D]
If you really must know… XXX Magazine was directly responsible for the destruction of my layout after I had sent in a picture for the review. I guy from XXX called back and said I would have a more realistic picture if one of my city buildings was really on fire. Some kind of “composition thing”. Well the small fire was set and controlled except for the fact I forgot my illegal whiskey still was “piping” along under the layout and all of a sudden-BOOM!!! Now I have to admit that they had NO part in my scheme to cover the costs of rebuilding my layout. That was my own brilliant idea! After the flop of my nude midget ice skating folly in Vegas and my getting caught tunneling under Ft. Knox, I served my time and have been reformed and pardoned. A guy from California was so impressed with my rehabilitation he offered me a job selling vacuum cleaners in his infommercials!!! The money is rolling in, and the layout is being rebuilt!!! Stay tuned!!![:D]
Forgive me, John! It wasn’t a “silly question”. The old layout was in need of an “upgrade” for a while. The MTH Realtrax just didn’t “cut it” anymore so after a few beers on one starry night… out came the hammer and chisel!!! BTW, I’ve been checking out the progress of your layout and it is spectacular!!! I hope to do as well!!![:)]
My layout has a loooooong way to go. My only hope is to steal things I see from cool layouts like yours and others (Jumijo, Dave Connolly, RRaymans, etc.). Please post pictures of your progress.
