Hi
Does anyone know of any group that specialises in finer scale 1/29th scale?
Also 1/29th scale in doors?
Thanks Daryl
If you search Brian Briggs here, you’ll find some of Brian’s stuff. Before he passed away, he had a indoor layout and was doing some amazing work. A name from many years ago was Dave Winters, he did some CN? indoor modeling.
I can’t think of anyone currently doing indoor 1/29.
I’d certainly put myself in the camp of finer scale 1/29.
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Hi Craig
My layout will entirely indoors and double deck.
A staging lift will take the trains to the second deck.
I will try to achieve a scale look using weathering, scale couplers and wheels.
The layout will be set in the present day with the UP using GP40s and GP60s to bring cars to an interchange with a short line. There will also be local industries to switch.
The short line will head to staging and be lifted to the second deck where it will switch a couple of towns and then return to the UP yard with outbound cars to interchange.
The UP train will then head back to staging.
I’m slowly weathering my stuff and have #1 couplers but I’m not running fine scale wheels outdoors. I don’t know if anyone that is running fine scale wheels. Shoot even in HO the percentage of proto:87 modelers is tiny.
I don’t know what you’d define fine scale modeling as just weathering and couplers but I’d define it as modeling things as accurately as possible, including structures so the entire scene looks to be scaled together rather than just trains plopped on a track.
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I have always felt there is a huge potential for extreme realism in Large scale railroading that rivals if not surpasses that of Ho scale. One of the reasons I switched from Ho to 1:29 scale is the lack of available power and equipment. I love to bash and scratch build, and Ho manufacturing has virtually eliminated the need to do so with it’s highly accurate rivet counted over the counter models. If it exists in the real world, chances are you can find it in Ho scale 
. But 1:29 scale is the wild west…if you want it, you have to build it. Especially if you want or demand true to scale representation from your layout…which it sounds like your building. I love that you are seeking prototypical representation from your models, and I too hope to reach this same goal. There is so much potential to be had in large scale railroading!
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that is ambitious - good luck with that!
my (unfinished) two-deck indoors layout - of 400ft plus track with (steep) access ramps of over 14 yards each - simply overwhelmed me.
after seven years it was clear, the relation between “to be done” and “done” did change too slowly.
http://kormsen.info/filmchen/testfahrt01.mp4
http://kormsen.info/filmchen/MOV_0106.mp4
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Jenny,
When people ask me what it’s like to model in 1/29, I saw it’s like HO in the 90’s. Lots of foobies that look okay, but also lots of opportunities for bashing and scratch building. The only thing that’s really lacking is the number of detail parts but with resin printing, these details parts are slowly coming out.
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I desperately need to learn the ways of 3D printing, I’m a lifer in this hobby, and am willing to invest in the time and equipment, but can’t find a reliable source of information about the best and most affordable way to go about starting the process. I’m still learning the ins and outs of scratch building, and closely watch and learn from all of the projects and advice posted here. But my ultimate goal is to build extremely accurate models, with the exception of the whole track not being to actual prototypical gadge thing. 
Isn’t fine scale 1/29th = Gauge-1, or 1/32nd scale?
Vie versa, fine scale 1/29th requires a track gauge of 1.95". And fine scale wheels.
Back in the dark ages, after the UK manufacturer decided HO scale was too small for tiny UK locos, they used 4mm:ft scale instead. So the track gauge (16.5mm) was too narrow for proper scale.
The first attempt was EM gauge, which bumped the track gauge up to 18mm. It was fairly successful, and lasted for many years [still people modelling in that. Rod Stewart started in EM gauge!]
Later, as tastes were refined, someone started Protofour at 18.83mm gauge, and then Scalefour, also at 18.83. (I lost track of who did what and when.)
So what exactly is your definition of “Fine Scale 1/29”? ) Nicer, more detailed models on track that is too narrow for a proper scale model?
Isn’t fine scale 1/29th = Gauge-1, or 1/32nd scale?
Vice versa, fine scale 1/29th requires a track gauge of 1.95". And fine scale wheels.
Back in the dark ages, after the UK manufacturer decided HO scale was too small for tiny UK locos, they used 4mm:ft scale instead. So the track gauge (16.5mm) was too narrow for proper scale. [Just like 1/29th]
The first attempt was EM gauge, which bumped the track gauge up to 18mm. It was fairly successful, and lasted for many years [still people modelling in that gauge. Rod Stewart started in EM gauge!]
Later, as tastes were refined, someone started Protofour at 18.83mm gauge, and then Scalefour, also at 18.83. (I lost track of who did what and when.)
So what exactly is your definition of “Fine Scale 1/29”? ) Nicer, more detailed models on track that is too narrow for a proper scale model? Why not start with 1/32nd scale so your track is scale to begin with.
Jenny,
My advice would be to start learning some sort of CAD. Once you have learned CAD and how to draw parts the printing part is a lot easier than trying to find parts from random sources. Start small and build up.
I have taught myself two different programs, SketchUp and Onshape. I’m not perfect in either one, but I definitely like Onshape as it’s a web based platform. Others would recommend AutoCAD. Lots and lots of YouTube videos out there. When I first learned Sketchup I had to get “SketchUp for Dummies” book from the library.
Craig
Basically I’m trying to replicate what I might have done in HO in 1/29th scale.
An indoor layout detailed to a high degree that supports operations with 2 man crews, switch lists and Protothrottles.
Obviously 1/29th scale has the WOW factor smaller scales just can’t replicate, but it also chews up an enormous amount of real estate.
Daryl
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Craig
Check out Great Model Railroad 2012 and Model Railroad Planning 2013 for the indoor modelling in 1/29th scale by Bob Springs and Harry Kelley.
These 2 guys are my inspiration for an indoor 1/29th scale layout.
Daryl
i now feel like a party-pooper, but a detailed layout includes more than just locos and railcars.
most buildings are in 1:22.5 some in 1:32.
accessories are often in 1:24(doll-house scale) in 1:22.5 or even 1:35.
figures and animals are either in 1:22.5, or in 1:24 (both expensive) or in 1:32 (from cheap to expensive)(the nearest figures for 1:29, i know of, are in 1:30)
vehicles are mosly in 1:19, 1:24, or 1:32.
so, if you have not too much invested into 1:29 already, you might look around a bit, in which scale you can fullfill most of your long-time wishes.
I’m trying to model in the LGB scale 1:22.5, I model as close to scale as I can get, I call my scale, Stand-Off Scale, that is from 5-6 feet away it looks good. I’m a former HOn3 narrow gauge modeler so for me I have no problem adapting my skills to a larger scale/gauge. I think for those who are modelers they will be able to adjust the gauge to what works for them, good luck, I see no problem for those who have the modeling touch.
No worries Korm. All of these items can now be created in 1:29 using CNC technologies like laser cutting and 3d printing. 
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worrying? no. mentioning? yes.
do you remember the musical “the fiddler on the roof”? from the fifties, if i remember right.
there the guy sang: “If i were a rich man…”
well, if i were a rich man, i would have a whole factory standing beside my playroom.
both types of 3D printers, lazy-cutter, plastic injection press, sheet-bend press, drillstand, you name it. (even a coffee mashine)
but, as i am still in the coffee stirrer and glue league, i prefer to take pre-made toys to adapt, alterate and mutilate them.
that saves me effort, time (i still work a little at 72) and money.
and from that point of view were my words for Daryl 
Only scale item I haven’t heard mention of is distance.
With: 5,280 feet / 29 = 182.07 feet selective compression really has to come into play. So I’ve stayed away from purity as I like running passenger trains from the transition era. JMHO YMMV
Yeah, that’s kinda where I was going…no matter how fine or prototypical you get a 1:29 scale model, 1:32 scale is actually the proper scale to model if you truly must have true to scale accuracy in overall completion. Oddly as much as that should bother me, I’m somehow comfortable with going full blown rivet counting on a model I know is out of accuracy for the track it’s running on…something I would never have excepted in Ho. Sort of like some of the finely detailed museum quality O gage models and layouts people build that run on 3 rail track. Fortunately the scale difference between track and equipment is not noticeable …but when it comes to support, model kits, and third party supplies for building an indoor scale miniature city type layout, I’m sure 1:32 would be a better size to consider. My trains are feral and not houses broken, so they have to do thier business in the yard outside…I don’t allow smoking in my house either sooo…yeah 
Fortunately I was one of those goofy girls that decided to take CNC programing as a shop requirement in high school rather than home economics . My reasoning was it’s where all the boys would be, and safer than me handeling powertools or a torch in wood shop or welding shop .But despite my reason for joining, I actually did learn the X,Y, and Z’s of working with CAD type programs, and I do a lot of computer graphic design models on Blender and Daz studio for my brothers video game nonsense. I’m not a pro, but I can hold my own. Never 3D printed though…I went to look at printers and got completely lost in the terminology and capabilites of the units…and I was intimidated by all the modelers who post they have nothing but headaches with the process and sold thie printers…but I still want in.