New scales

[WTierce1]

I think Bachmann should come out with some new narrow gauge scales for HO at least. What does anyone else think about that?   

[OldTimer]

I think you should investigate the difference between scale and gauge.     Report back what you find.   
Old Timer

[Doneldon]

I got a new scale once but it still said I should lose a few pounds.

[CNE Runner]

You might be interested in these new offering (HOn30):

http://www.bigcityhobbies.com/minitrains.html

I was considering these for a new micro layout depicting a Cuban sugar cane operation (not that I have ever been to Cuba).

Ray

[OldTimer]

Ray,
I had forgotten about the MinitrainS!  Didn't AHM offer them for awhile?  I seem to recall that the gauge was called HOe at one time. 
Jim

[White_Crow05]

I got a new scale once but it still said I should lose a few pounds.

Zing!

[pdlethbridge]

Doneldon, my scale says 1 at a time please.

[full maxx]

I got a new scale once but it still said I should lose a few pounds.

I got new scales and they said "one at a time"

[Doneldon]

The Minitrains could make a great excursion train or a train in a park or at an amusement park.  It should be easy to modify the trash cars so they'll carry people, like a bench fore and aft.  But here's a really tiny train - T-scale, also called 3mm scale.  It's 1:450 and the smallest train with a motor.  This web site is in Australia but these are sold here, too.

http://www.hobbiesplus.com.au/t_gauge_.htm

These are available here but I don't recall where.  I think the price is similar to Minitrains -- $120 or so for a starter set.  ebay has only accessories right now, at what sounds like pretty good prices like $10.50 for 30 painted figures.

[J3a-614]

The Old Timer is right, AHM used to sell the MinitrainS.  Here are some links, the first one being taken out of the Early-Time Kits thread, and the others springing from the first:

http://ho-scaletrains.net/index.html

http://ho-scaletrains.net/id18.html

http://tycotrain.tripod.com/ahmhoscaletrainscollectorsresource/

http://tycotrain.tripod.com/ahmhoscaletrainscollectorsresource/id85.html

Some history on the original MinitrainS line:

http://www.hon30.org/bobhist.htm

Here is a link to a hobby shop in Laurel, Md. that carries the MinitrainS, appropriate track, and plenty of Bachmann products:

http://www.peachcreekshops.com/

http://www.peachcreekshops.com/genprods.php3?UID=2010060420503896.239.135.227&val=HOn30_Minitrains

http://www.peachcreekshops.com/genprods.php3?UID=2010060420540196.239.135.227&val=HON30_Track

Have fun.

[CNE Runner]

Jim - As was mentioned above, AHM did indeed own MiniTrainS for a considerable time. Unfortunately most of their stuff ran poorly. According to the information, I saw on Carl Arendt's website, that problem has been sorted out.

I like Don's idea of a tourist line...this could be the basis for an interesting micro layout. There is an RV park in Southern Alabama that has a restored English narrow gauge railway running around it. I can see all sorts of possibilities...well beyond my Cuban sugar operation idea. How about a model of the narrow gauge railway that ran the length of Bermuda?

What I liked about the MiniTrainS locomotive is that it was a model of a real Plymouth. I use Bachmann's Plymouth MDT (which isn't as it has 6 wheels instead of an MDT's 4 and doesn't look like Plymouth's WDT either).

Ray

[CNE Runner]

I didn't want to leave this thread without showing what a Plymouth switcher should look like. The chap that modified this one used the AHM MinitrainS Plymouth as a starting point. What do you think?

If you are so inclined, the link to the whole process of rebuilding/reworking this engine is: http://www.jehubbard.com/hobbies/plymouth_rework.htm

A useful source reference, on Plymouth products, is James S. Eakin's book Plymouth (available from Ron's Books on the Internet).

In summary, I think the MinitrainS Plymouth would make a great addition to any HOn30 project. I only wish I had the skills and fortitude to attempt a rebuild project.

Regards,
Ray

[tac]

Ray, I seem to recall that the gauge was called HOe at one time.  Jim

Jim - over here in the rest of the world we STILL call the H0 scale that uses 9mm [n gauge] track H0e.

The 'e' stands for the word 'eng' - 'narrow' in German.

The British equivalent is called 009 - 4mm scale running on n gauge track.

tac
www.ovgrs.org
Supporter of the Cape Meares Lighthouse Restoration Fund

[WTierce1]

Does anyone know what voltage the Minitrains run off of? I would like to know because I dont want to burn a $120.00 set up as soon as I get it. I would be very happy if someone would reply.

[OldTimer]

DC motors respond to higher voltage by turning faster, not by smoking.  Just don't crank your power pack up to "9" without watching what's going on and you'll be fine.  I would expect 12V would be reasonable max voltage.
Old Timer