Minitrains Steam Loco

CNE Runner · July 20, 2010, 09:36:16 AM

It amazes me to see the apparent interest in HOn30. Personally, I never had much of an interest in narrow gauge modelling. I guess I viewed narrow gauge as a 'niche market' in our hobby. On30 is just too large for the space I (and most of us) have available - but HOn30 is an entirely different matter. Perhaps it is time for MinitrainS to make its comeback with good running, well made products (not the stuff they used to produce way back when). I think I see an HOn30 layout in the distant future...'certainly something to consider. [Gosh I love the look of that MinitrainS Plymouth. I don't think I have the skills to convert it to standard HO...but I think I know someone who does.]

Ray

richg · July 20, 2010, 10:31:08 AM

Here is a project I have but long time coming. I have a N scale SW1200 as the base for the Climax.

http://www.mrollins.com/climaxpix.html

Rich

J3a-614 · July 20, 2010, 11:59:08 PM

J3a-614 · July 22, 2010, 01:02:05 AM

CNE Runner · July 26, 2010, 09:12:41 PM

I am not 100% convinced...but I think this is the track plan I will use for my (not-so-distant) HOn30 layout. The plan is on Carl Arendt's website and is called Pine Ridge II. This is an adaption, by Scotsman Jack Trollope, of an earlier plan. I particularly liked Jack's use of a 3-track transfer table (traverser). I can just see that little MinitrainS Plymouth pulling little HOn30 rolling stock. 'Should be a good project for the motor home.

Now all I have to do is purchase that MinitrainS set.

Cheers,
Ray

J3a-614 · July 28, 2010, 12:34:20 AM

I think this is something you will be interested in.

Scroll down, to near the bottom:

http://www.peachcreekshops.com/

http://www.peachcreekshops.com/images/bchsteamer.jpg

Anticipate!

CNE Runner · July 28, 2010, 10:06:30 AM

That's right J3a-614...throw some more gasoline on the fire! I plan on ordering the MinitrainS Plymouth 10-car set next week (as of now I don't have a single length of track on which to run it - but what the hey?). That image of the MinitrainS steamer looked interesting and the engine would really benefit from a repaint as well as some super detailing add-ons.

I have built the basic train board for the HOn30 layout; but am having some problems designing the transfer table (traverser). My Monks' Island has two traversers that could have been designed/built much better. [Hindsight is usually 20/20.] The use of Tomar pick up shoes makes them electrically reliable though. I envision the new traverser pit to be very shallow - so I will have to come up with a different method of guide rails. Ah, the trials and tribulations of model railroading!

Thanks for doing the additional research. I have bookmarked the Peach Creek Shops website.

Regards,
Ray

ebtnut · July 28, 2010, 02:52:24 PM

Check out the pics here: http://www.undergroundminers.com/oldwanamie6.html

I believe this operation was 30" gauge, and running as late as 1967! You could take one of the Minitrains lokies and perform surgery on the cab and make a very close replica of this little mills.

J3a-614 · July 28, 2010, 07:34:06 PM

WTierce1 · July 28, 2010, 09:33:40 PM

The Peach Creak Shops site said that bch has introdused the steam loco but it is not on there website.

J3a-614 · July 28, 2010, 09:37:43 PM

Peach Creek probably is making or has an early announcement--afraid we'll have to wait a while.

WTierce1 · July 28, 2010, 09:43:27 PM

Thanks

J3a-614 · July 28, 2010, 09:47:32 PM

Oh, one other thing--the announcement on the Peach Creek shops page is on a news page; the image and other things will go away when the page gets updated, so you may not want to count on the image staying too long--but then, if the little thing gets here, you'll not have to worry about that.

WTierce1 · July 29, 2010, 09:33:35 AM

Actually it said somthing about bch introdusing the sets that I have and said that they have now added the steamer to there line. So i`m kinda hopeful.

CNE Runner · July 29, 2010, 05:51:36 PM

J3a-614, I was surprised by the Pioneer Tunnel website and remembered visiting the place some years ago. I will never forget when our guide turned off all lighting and said the 'lights' you are seeing really aren't there! This is a very interesting place to visit...wear warm clothing (even in summer as the temperature of the mine always remains in the mid 50F range.

Ray

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Minitrains Steam Loco

richg