I saw a K-line catalog with “super streets” that looked ideal for what I’d like
to set up, but they’re unavailable. I’d like to set up a O scale slot car set to look
like a city street. Any suggestions?
In my humble opinion it would appear toy like. Are you intentionaly wanting automobiles that run?
I just set up my first layout in a 12’ x 12’ room 22" off the floor in O scale. It’s suppose to be for my first 2 yr old grandson. ( or is it really for me? ) Later, I intend to put a second bench at 43" for HO scale. I’d like to set up a slot car system to look like a street going thru town and conutry; make the race cars look like street cars and try to extend my grandson’s attention beyond 2 minutes. So if it looks toy-ish, it will be my chalenge to make it look scale.
To us, it will look toy-like. To a 2 year old, it will be “great” for a number of years. To reach a happy medium, you might try to weather the slot car track (careful not to mess up the electrical contacts), maybe create a shoulder or curbs. That will make the slot car track part of the road instead of all of the road. Spend a few minutes looking at streets or roads for the kind of things we often overlook when we are driving on them. If you weather the track, maybe leave a rectangle relatively pristine, like a recently patched section.
The goal is not perfection, but “wow” for somebody in the single-digit age group.
Might be fun!
yes, now that you mention the grandkids! do whatever it takes to bring that special light to there eyes! I have turned 2 of my grandsons into train nuts! So what if its Thomas the train choo choo!!!
This is why I’ve been saving my old Aurora Model Motoring sets. I even have 2 railroad crossings for it. [:D]
When I was growing up in New York City, upper Broadway, at least, looked like a slot car track. The trolleys took power from a third rail that was accessed through a slot in the street half way between the rails.
Later I got to see the San Francisco cable cars - same look, but a different propulsion system.
Just a couple of ideas for justifying the appearance of the pavement when someone asks why it looks like that.
Chuck
there are car systems that are slotless using guiding magnet wire for steering, and can be hidden.
The cars ar battery powered.
cool!
here’ s an idea, put a magnet on the bottom of an O scale car…if their wheels work, then put a magnet(opposing the other one on something that can move along a guided track under the road.
Another option is to buy an RC car and figure out how to stuff it all into an o scale car…Then YOU could drive it along YOUR roads it would TRULY be YOUR empire!!!
zip zaps( miniature rc cars from radio shack) are good for S scale. Don’t know about xmods!
JC;
I am doing the same thing in HO, sorry this is so late, I must have missed this one the first time around, again I appologize![:(][oops][bow]
I am not too far along yet, I’ve only gotten my designes down, and things layed out temporary for test runs. My big challange now is how to make bridges and scenery to support all the roadway. I have my old original Aurora Model Motoring roadway for city streats that will run multiple cars in opposite directions, continuously and unattended. And Yes I have the Aurora RR crossing track on the city street part.
I also have the AFX track set up to be more of an Expressway for the High Speed raceing.
Trains will be CBC (Computerized Block Control) from Oak Tree Systems, it allows for crossing control, traffic light control, (for my intersection) automatic turnout control, any type of signal systems, and multiple trains running opposite directions automaticly controled by the computer. (It seems anyone that comes over is more interested in raceing the AFX cars.[?] (Especially the Grandkids).
Here are some Pics so far.
http://www.railimages.com/albums/johnwilliams/aav.thumb.jpg
and a site.
http://www.railimages.com/gallery/johnwilliams?page=1
Thanks alot for letting me revive this thread…John
Its YOUR RR Do what you want to do with it!!! Kevin
For those of you that want working cars in a realistic environment, ttry the Faller road system (for HO)
http://www.midlandred.org.uk/fcs.shtml
Jon
http://www.walthers.com/exec/search?quick=SUPER+STREETS&quicksrch_butt.x=0&quicksrch_butt.y=0
maybe you can contact Walthers, maybe they can get it!
Xmods are 1/28 scale, Theyd work well for G scale…
Sadly I dont think there are any slot cars etc for n scale. Maybe a magnut system, But Id rather be able to drive them around… But If I make a G scale one day I plan on getting a few more xmods to drive around.
I’ve been thinking about this for a while. So far, I think I’ve found the right magnets to experiment with. They are called “Earth Magnets”…very small, thin, and POWERFULL!
Although I’m into “O”, the K-Line “Superstreets” turned me off, as did slot cars. I don’t want to “run” the cars…just have them add interest to a scene. I think getting cars to go around curves and loops will be the main problem with a magnet set-up. Joe
jcholt,
Grand Kids! Ahh! I have so much fun with my Grand Son. My layout is all his when ever he is over. He’s 2 1/2 and his attention wanders a bit. But he will play at his Thomas Table for well over an hour or on the floor with his Thomas Lego/Duplo set. We’ve both had a lot of fun with the Lego set. He has learned to put the track pieces together and understands the switches already.
I also temper that experience with REAL trains either by watching the trains go through our little town, or by taking him to train museums. I had him in a running RS1 the other day, and then in a caboose for a Caboose Day ride a few weeks ago. To see a little guy like this figure out that when he pulls a cord the Train whistle goes off is time well spent!
Chris