Large Scale Central

7/8ths RTR locos now sold?

General Discussion
#1

I’d buy an RTR 0-4-0 7/8ths scale switcher with some dump cars in a minute. Yes, of course, for me, the caveat will be price. This chunky 7/8ths large size – making the track 2’ prototype width – would work and look great on our garden layout. The closest loco I have seen in 7/8ths was a modified Thomas. I have no idea what scale this kid product initially was, but it appeared to be much larger after the cab/body modification.

Any experience with any ready-to-run 0-4-0 steamers in 7/8ths?

Is there a demand from our readers for a chunky 0-4-0 switcher and a couple of ore cars to run periodically?

Wendell

#2

Wendell,
follow the link to Steve at ‘Back2bay6’. Steve, used to have a 7/8th scale brass loco kit to fit an Accucraft 16mm Edrig.

http://www.back2bay6.com/

#3

Wendell,

Gary Watkins at Sierra Valley offers a 7/8ths scale loco and cars
check here.

http://www.sierravalleyenterprises.com/78_custom_building.html

Rick

#4

Tim and Steve-
Thank you for direction. Will check.

A Hartland 7/8ths “Big John” or switcher filling a full page Garden RR mag ad would certainly generate conversation – with USA, Aristo, and B’mann thinking to themselves “How stupid or wonder what they know.”

#5

Rick and all:
Gary Watkins at Sierra Valley has one knockout switcher in 7/8ths – see Rick’s reference above to 7/8ths ready-to-run locos. Check the Sierra Valley website for photos of their all-brass 7/8ths industrial loco. If any readers own one, what is the actual height and length and your experience with it running. I’m interested.
Thanks,
Wendell

#6

Wendell:

Gary Watkins’ Sierra Valley Enterprises 7/8n2 locomotive is really spectacular. I don’t have one, but have seen at least one at a show. Same with his 7/8n2 rolling stock. He also has a line of 7/8" scale car parts, scale barrels, pot bellied stove, birds and people.

Gary is very easy to talk to and probably has the dimensions and other information at hand. Try giving him a call at 209-722-8278, or email him at: [email protected]

Happy RRing,

Jerry

#7

I considered 7/8ths scale many years back when Garden Railways first showed pictures of those beautiful Sierra Valley cars. I bought a 9-foot, high-sided, gondola kit from Hartford for US$65. With shipping, credit card currency exchange, brokerage, Federal Sales Tax, and Provincial Sales added; it cost me about CDN$140. It was fun to build, looks great (still), but I couldn’t afford $140 per car. I thought about building my own, but the parts from Sierra Valley back then cost more than the car kit. Now that I see the current Sierra Valley prices, $140 seems like a deal.

Over the last decade or so the car has been used a candy dish, until one of the cats gnawed on the corner, a digital camera holder, an ornament. Will it ever see the sun? I dunno! Maybe it will be cremated with me.

I bought a Bachmann side-rod diesel when Ridge Road Station was clearing them out for $60 with plans to make a 7/8ths scale critter.

http://ovgrs.editme.com/files/Diesels/critter78ths.bmp

But I never got around to that project. I think Doug ended up with three of them: his own, one from me, and one from Ralph. I don’t think any of us ever got to run one. The best-laid schemes of mice and men often go awry.

#8

Gary Watkins loco is a model of a three ton Plymouth. He did research in actual full sized unit. He did is own drive using a (trying to remember) Canon printer motor (I think).

I have the power block for one, but haven’t got the cab. Gary also has the proper 7/8N2 wheels for any proposed project. These wheels are thicker in scale, so everything looks right.

Gary is a good friend and he can and will help.

Barry - BBT

#9

To all:
I e-mailed Gary for dimensions. I’ll post more data on this loco when I get it.
Thanks for the input. I’m interested in exploring this new phase, at least for me, in large scale. I am hoping his loco is really much larger than the 1:24 - 1:20 scale I have on our layout. The larger size would be really dramatic.
Wendell

#10

Wendell, it will be a large model of a very small locomotive. What will make it seem large will be the figures that you will have riding it.

#11

Wendell, A friend of mine has two of the Sierra Valley locomotives and a bunch of the Sierra Valley “Munger Mining” cars. Here are a few pictures taken on my railroad a couple years ago when he brought one of them down to run. Here is what the 3 ton Plymouth can look like with a little paint ect.

(http://freightsheds.largescalecentral.com/users/rick_marty/_forumfiles/jayscars/jay1.jpg)

Another view showing a string of the 7/8ths mining cars.

(http://freightsheds.largescalecentral.com/users/rick_marty/_forumfiles/jayscars/jay2.jpg)

Here is a shot with my 1:20 scale Shay in the background. The camera angle/perspective make them look pretty good together but they really don’t look right when side by side.

(http://freightsheds.largescalecentral.com/users/rick_marty/_forumfiles/jayscars/jay3.jpg)

Another shot showing perspective and a little better shot of some of the cars.

(http://freightsheds.largescalecentral.com/users/rick_marty/_forumfiles/jayscars/jay4.jpg)

A close up of the drum car.

(http://freightsheds.largescalecentral.com/users/rick_marty/_forumfiles/jayscars/jay5.jpg)

Hope these pictures are of some use to you in your decision making process. Rick

#12

60 bucks for a side rod deisel! You’re killing me Paul!

#13
Mark V said:
60 bucks for a side rod deisel! You're killing me Paul!
If you are going to the ECLSTS talk to Doug Matheson. He probably still has two of them. His focus in now on his 1:20th scale stuff. We have been working on his Bachmann K27 lately.

Those Sierra Valley cars with the natural looking wood are gorgeous. I wish I hadn’t stained mine so dark. I always liked the drum car. Maybe some day when I have some mad money kicking around, I will weaken and order it.

#14

The enameled coffee cup on the gage block is a great little detail touch. Kinda’ adds some extra “humanity” to the big picture. Little details like that can really add life to the scene.

That is a great “big” little locomotive.

Best,
David Meashey

#15

From Gary Watkins here are the dimensions:
7.5" long
8" high
4" wide.
Wendell