I am dismantling my indoor large scale layout, the overhead one in our living room will remain, but the room I used for the layout we have other plans for in the near future. I am rebuilding outdoors but will again be restricted to R1 curves and much tighter clearances, ie my F units are not going to clear some of the exhisting rock work. SO, I put everything I have motive power/rolling stock wise in the classifieds. I am planning to go back to a Euro theme but on a smaller scale with a Staniz and 2 axle rolling stock. Operations will still rule with several sidings planned. I started laying some track this morning. Please check out my list and make offers ect. I want to be up and running outdoors before winter moves in. Our last garden line was European in theme, my wife loves this theme as do my relatives from Germany. They are the ones that introduced me to LGB thru a starter set many years ago. Mike and Michele T
" the room I used for the layout we have other plans for in the near future."
Mike,
You guys going to have a new baby?
Even going to R1 restricted equipment, you can still model American trains.
I got a 20x6 oval built for my kids this spring, using R1 curves. Officially listed in the Freedom Central timetable as the Sodor Secondary, its main purpose is for the kids to run their Thomas trains one.
However, to satisfy my own cravings for operational trains, I used my new USA 44-tonner to pull three LGB centerflows and a USA NE Caboose. Even with close clearances and R 1 curves, the train didn’t have any problems, which honestly surprised me.
But, if you want steam, you could use the 20232 series engines from LGB, they are definitely R1 compliant, but don’t look out of place pulling a couple modern hoppers and a tank car… could have two 40ft boxcars and caboose if you want to backdate to the steam era.
Not criticizing your choices, just pointing out that it is possible to go R1 and still run modern equipment.
Just not into whats available in smaller USA equipment. I got my start with Euro modeling, used to have a nice Marklin HO layout. So the Euro modeling comes naturaly to me. No little one yet, but we are giving it one last college try. My wife has internal issues that make getting pregnant very difficult, but not impossible. I will be 40 next year and she is 36, and we both dont wanna wait any longer if we are going to shoot for a little one. And yes, my layout room would be a future kids room. Mike and Michele T
Hi Mike
I have a few LGB 2 axle cars that as you know look and work great on the R1 curves behind a Stainz or similar small engine but they do look odd behind a American loco like a Bachmann 0-4-0 or the newer 2-4-2 with the metal gears. Nice loco that check it out. To satisfy my shorty USA look rolling stock I recently picked up a Aristo 20’ boxcar. I really like it and it is my new favorite boxcar and it fits in well with the 40’ regular ones even though it only has 2 axles.
I think you can do alot with a smaller RR using tight curves and still have tons of fun. Whatever you decide to build you might want to elevate it a bit so you can see it better. Being used to looking up at your indoor trains it might be a shock to suddenly be looking down on the roofs while it goes by.
Good luck with trains and Baby.
The garden line will be ground level for the time being. I do have a plan on how to elevate it about 3 feet off the ground, but wont be till after I graduate from college and get back to work again. Lack of income really is a buzzkill on the hobby. I do what I can, I fix mowers in my garage for people and repair model trains for the local hobby shop or stuff that folks mail to me to repair. Mike
more than forty years after my first R1 circle i still got some R1 curves in the layout.
the last try we gave it 13 years after the wedding is now in her second year at the university, while the little surprise is still driving our neighbours nuts with her loud musik.
good luck with your goals!
I’m all R1, I consider them perfectly fine and that you can do alot of fun things with them in a small space. Welcome (back) to the Dark Side.
(http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_ldjqscJCec1qfaexto1_500.jpg)
My friends here in town think modeling European is the dark side! LOL! There is a valid reason for R1, those of us that dont have room for sweeping curves in the garden. To bad Bachmann decided to go to the much larger 1:20.3 for thier logging. Makes even thier 2 truck shay look out of place on R1. But had LGB ever made a small 2 truck, 2 cylinder shay in their smaller scale, I think it would have looked less out of place on R1 curves. The quaitness of smaller meter gauge European engines and rolling stock, lends itself very well to outdoor modeling. Just the fact that European trains are more colorfull that most era’s of American trains helps. I might pick up a Hartland 4-4-0 in the future, but even it doesnt like R1 very well, to long of a wheel base forward of the lead drivers. It will do it, but really slams against the outside rail on each curve. I used to have one of the colorfull D&RGW ones. Mike
Mike;
You may want to consider the HLW Big John instead. It should handle the R1 curves, and it is loosely based on the Dunkirk geared locomotive. It will also pull stumps. Before I sold my Bachmann Heisler, I would set the Heisler’s polarity for NMRA. Then couple it back-to-back to the Dunkirk, and see who would win. The Dunkirk would drag the Heisler, kicking and screaming, backwards every time.
Best wishes,
David Meashey
LOL, nice. The Hartland might not be the most scale one in the stable, but they sure do pull well. Nope, will be all European here, meter gauge line somewhere in Austria. Cheers Mike
Went down to Watts this afternoon. Dave had a small collection in the back room and my friend and I cherry picked some stuff. I got a nice wood covered bridge, a wood deck bridge, a bunch of 3ft REA straight sections, a Pola grist mill and a Pola switch tower. Traded all my remaining stuff for it. My friend got a LBG Sandy River super set that the PO had installed metal wheels, ball bearing on 1 axle of each coach with full interior lighting, cars filled with Prieser people. All for a very keen price. I plan to work on getting more track down tomorrow and hopefully have the loop complete later this coming week. Pics to come tomorrow. Mike