Large Scale Central

Let's start up a company!

General Discussion
#41
Jon Radder said:
TonyWalsham said:
Yes, even though I find this hard to swallow, 1:29 scale is really the only scale for mainline and narrow gauge on the currently available 45 mm and 32 mm gauge track.
I haven't done the math... is 32MM track equally as incorrect in 1:29 for 3FT gauge as 45MM track is for Std. Gauge ?

I know where your coming from with all the 1:29 Std,. gauge being available and the 32MM track availability being good, but starting down another incorrect scale/gauge path just doesn’t make any sense to me. We’ve already had attempts to do American Narrow Gauge (3Ft.) in 1:22.5 and 1:24. Why add another odd ball.

I’d rather see a very small selection of track an rolling stock for Std. Gauge in 1:20.3.


Less than 1/100 of an inch variance is just about the same, perhaps less than, the “perfect scale” of using 45 mm track in 1:32 scale.

Even 0 Scale is not perfectly correct, which is why there is now “Proto 48.” I understand there is now a “Proto 87” movement starting, too.

#42

OK, If I understand what you said Steve, then using 1:29 on 32MM and 45MM track to represent Std. Gauge and Narrow Gauge, your mainline trains would be running on track that is too narrow (what we have today with 1:29 Std . Gauge), but your 3Ft narrow gauge would be running on track that is almost spot on. This diminishes the distance between the narrow gauge and mainline rail in dual gauge track, and just wouldn’t look right (IMHO).

#43

I never said it would be perfect, Jon. Would you feel better if I used 3 rail? :lol:

#44

Jon, I can tend to be flippant, at times, and I think that was one of them. Sorry.

The exercise as I understood it was to use readily available track for whatever scale I wanted to use for my product line. 45mm and 32mm are readily available. Yes, they are not spot on, but, then, what is in model railroading? The original ratio for 0 scale was 1:43 point something which then yielded half zero scale (h0) of 1:87 point something. Now it has morphed into 1:48 on inch and a quarter (not 32mm) track, which means that the track is not to scale, hence the Proto 48 crowd, who have to lay their own track and build their own switches because no one makes track for Proto 48. It can get real crazy if you let it. I have a friend who tears out his layout periodically because it is “not to scale,” or “not right,” or…

45mm track and 32mm track work pretty good in 1:29 scale. Would anybody buy it? Probably not. Just like no one is seriously considering 1:20.3 for standard gauge. But, it is fun to think about. And, it would be a fun way to go broke.

#45

My input.

  1. What scale would you choose for narrow gauge and standard US gauge? Using the existing track available. 1:20.3 for NG and 1/29 for SG.
  2. Would you produce plastic, brass, or cast metal? Plastic.
  3. What would be the first US narrow gauge locomotive you would produce? Steam or Diesel. Steam-A generic 2-8-0, followed by a “LE” Mason Bogie.
  4. What would be the first US standard gauge locomotive you would produce? Steam or Diesel. Diesel-- An FP 40, followed by an Alco Century, or Baldwin switcher.
  5. What would be the first US Narrow gauge piece of rolling stock? Passenger cars.
  6. What would be the first US standard gauge piece of rolling stock? Proper length center beam flats and auto racks. High cube reefers and boxes.
  7. Would you repaint and repaint rolling stock, or manufacture limited editions.? Both (re: Mason Bogie & others TBA)
  8. Would you paint locomotives in road names that the prototype didn’t even have on their roster? Not at first, but maybe later.
  9. Would you make starter sets without track or power supplies. Not at first.
  10. Would you make track? No.
  11. Would you make power supplies? No.
  12. Would you produce locomotives for simple and easy battery conversion? Yes, particularly the NG.
  13. Would you produce locomotives with all the electronics needed for track power or DCC? Yes.
  14. Or offer locomotives with options, such as simple ready for Batt/RC and sound, or the full package? Yes, the customer could choose between simple and track ready, price reflecting the difference.
  15. Would you offer kits of your products, undecorated, with instructions? Yes. Another customer choice. This eliminates some production duties of the assembly line, thus offering a lesser cost.
  16. Would you distribute your products yourself out of a warehouse, using Internet and magazines? Yes, using another spin off of our company.
  17. Would you wholesale to a distributor to sell your products to stores? No. Eliminating the middle man lowers cost. The company would also own it’s distributorship. (Similar to Charles Ro. However something would have to be worked out to keep the on-line prices the same as the stores.)
  18. Would you offer rolling stock equipped with quality metal wheels and pads for mounting KD’s? Yes, when possible. Metal wheels on all, pads on rolling stock if applicable.
#46

Never being one to do things the easy way if properly backed financially I would still prefer 1:24 scale for everything. I for one would change my track for 1:24 scale if both track, switches and wheelsets/trucks were readily available.

However if forced to conform to the status quo (i.e. 45mm track gauge) I guess I would opt for steam era 1:32 scale in standard gauge. Instead of competing with MTH with their large mainline engines I would concentrate on smaller shortline types of power and do a partial roster of locomotives for one railroad before moving on to other prototypes. Also Bachmann and Accucraft are covering 1:20.3 narrow gauge pretty well. No need to compete with them either.

For example 2-8-0’s 18 and 28 and no.3 4-6-0 on the Sierra. Possibly 2-6-6-2 no 38 later. In addition I would produce at least one caboose for each railroad I produced. I wouldn’t attempt to produce a RR’s entire roster, just enough notable engines to allow a reasonable start.

Additional RR’s I would cover in the same manner would be the Ma & Pa, Virginia & Truckee, Colorado Midland (not a shortline but one of my favorites), and for the geared market Pickering Lumber Company’s standard gauge Shays and Heislers. There are of course many other worthy candidates.

An important sidebar would be to produce steam era freight cars in authentic lettering. Included would be outside braced boxcars, early steel boxcars, wood sided ice reefers, two bay hoppers, smaller conventional tankcars, wood stockcars, etc., mostly in 40 foot prototypes and a 50 foot door and a half boxcar and the then standard 50 foot double door auto car. Since most of the rolling stock handled by the above railroads, except for the Pickering’s logcars, were interchange cars it would offer the opportunity to offer many fallen flags such as SP, WP, Erie, NYC, PRR, and many others seen all over the country. Too these cars would be as appropriate behind MTH’s Challenger or Big Boy as behind a shortline engine.

The only other possible type of locomotives would be the USRA prototypes detailed and lettered for a myriad of prototypes. This would be my only mainline venture.

#47

Well, Heck, if I had my 'druthers, I’d go with !:24, too, and then start with Great Northern and Northern Pacific mainline stuff that was used in the early 1900s, say from 1895 - 1929. I would produce authentic freight and passenger cars for both roads. I’d start with Consolidations, Prairies, Atlantics and Americans, with 0-6-0 Switchers for road power. Then I’d bring in the electrics the GN used on Stevens Pass.

Next, I bring out a line of Milwaukee RR stuff.

By then I’d be bankrupt, and the stuff would be sold for a song. :lol:

#48

Sheesh guys, just as soon as I win the lottery I’ll be producing 1:22.5 RhB proto rolling stock kits.

#49
Hans-Joerg Mueller said:
Sheesh guys, just as soon as I win the lottery I'll be producing 1:22.5 RhB proto rolling stock kits.
Now if we are talking lottery..........I will just forget about models and buy a small railroad. :lol: Ralph
#50
Ralph Berg said:
Hans-Joerg Mueller said:
Sheesh guys, just as soon as I win the lottery I'll be producing 1:22.5 RhB proto rolling stock kits.
Now if we are talking lottery..........I will just forget about models and buy a small railroad. :lol: Ralph
Not me, if the money needs to trickle away, I want to do it in a s-l-o-w way without any of the "regulatory" influences, SWMBO has that position already. ;) :) ;)
#51
Hans-Joerg Mueller said:
Ralph Berg said:
Hans-Joerg Mueller said:
Sheesh guys, just as soon as I win the lottery I'll be producing 1:22.5 RhB proto rolling stock kits.
Now if we are talking lottery..........I will just forget about models and buy a small railroad. :lol: Ralph
Not me, if the money needs to trickle away, I want to do it in a s-l-o-w way without any of the "regulatory" influences, SWMBO has that position already. ;) :) ;)
HJ, Where's your sense of adventure? If the railroad fails miserably, I could salvage the railroad for scrap metal and retire comfortably. Ralph
#52
Hans-Joerg Mueller said:
Sheesh guys, just as soon as I win the lottery I'll be producing 1:22.5 RhB proto rolling stock kits.
Great idea Hans! I think I would join you in that endeavor and handle the North American prototypes in 1:26.1 "suitable for G" scale.....

:o :smiley: :wink: :slight_smile:

#53

Richard Smith said:

Hans-Joerg Mueller said:
Sheesh guys, just as soon as I win the lottery I’ll be producing 1:22.5 RhB proto rolling stock kits.

Great idea Hans! I think I would join you in that endeavor and handle the North American prototypes in 1:26.1 “suitable for G” scale… :o :smiley: :wink: :slight_smile:

Richard, now we’re talking. And LGBoA will be the exclusive NA distributor. :stuck_out_tongue: :lol: :lol: That is if “one” could arrive at suitable terms; you know that those are necessary in order to sell “suitable for G” items, don’t you??

(http://bestsmileys.com/lol/4.gif)

#54

Well as long as we can come to a “suitable” agreement at a “suitable” cost. :wink: You’d have to handle the office and all the big business deals though as my figure is no longer in “suitable” shape to wear a tie.

#55

The only way to make a small fortune in the hobby sector is to start with a large one…and quit before you lose it all.

#56
Mik said:
The only way to make a small fortune in the hobby sector is to start with a large one...and quit before you lose it all.
Years ago when Donald Trumph was in serious fiscal trouble, the joke floating around was that he had a new book out called "How to make a Million Dollars" on the first page were the words "First, start with a Billion Dollars..."
#57

I saw a couple of comments that should have been put in bold letters.
Of course on line is the way to go from both the seller and buyer standpoint due to cost. There is that pesky little problem of finding the right part, right now, at the hobby shop for those of you with the good fortune of having one around that deals in such a thing). These methods are exactly why the shops are going down. Its easier for me to order online and let UPS or FEDEX bring it to my house than it is to drive 90 miles (the closest town of any size). I also don’t have a half day to lose, or of course the gas prices when it comes to that. The cost of shipping is minimal compared to the time and money side of picking something up myself. I have had this dilemna with parts for my tractors through hobby shop items, and it inevitably becomes easier for me to just have it delivered to my house. The time alone is time I can be doing something else.
Enter business mentality: is the company supposed to actuallybe successful, or make products to pretty much give away until it goes flat. I have a few things I would like to have but will have to buid them, they are unique to my taste, which is why most of what is offered is of a generic nature…
Reality is hell…

#58

How about some good mid size steam engines, Aristo is onto the right idea with the 2-8-0, but they cant stick to 1 product and get it to market in resonable time. They get something good started, then keep pushing it back to bring other new stuff to market. We still havent seen the promised SD9, the 2-8-0 seems to be getting shoved to the side for of all things a PCC car and an RDC. Atleast they are trying. On the live steam side, how about some affordable coal fired conversion kits for accucraft stuff. The Brits can do it, so why cant we and avoid the horrible exchange rates. Every run that DJB made of the edrig kits and the new RTR coal fired stuff is sold out within days of anouncement. So there must be a decent demand. I would like to see a nice line of detail parts for diesel/steam engines. Decent Beacons, cast brass air horns ect. Things to make the average diesel really stand out. How about a working 4 lamp sequencing beacon like used on the ATSF, BN, MRL ect, along with the proper base and dome. That would look great on the roof of the BN locomotives I want. Cheers Mike

#59

John asked for additions in his initial posting.

Here’s the BIG one:

Who will buy? Fellow model railroaders?

My guess: Train enthusiasts who get a go out of novelties in their garden – such as annimation other than wind chimes and spinning windmills.

Analysis: If accurate, those people will only know of outdoor RR IF they see photos in garden mags, nurseries, and in the garden sections of Lowes or Home Depot.
Otherwise, we are the buyers of what many of us already have stored.

#60

This is easy,
I would take what is out there and make it work right.
Kind of like what Barry and others have done.

See I should be CEO I come up with the easy answers.