Large Scale Central

Modern History of Large Scale

General Discussion
#1

I know a lot of you know a whole lot more about all of this than myself. But being on a number of the listservs, including 1:20.3 and Big Trains, I found this to be very interesting. I’ve spoken on email to Don Winter, many times, purchased some stuff from him and knew he was big in the hobby, but until this was printed, I never knew how big.

From BigTrains Listserv -

Don Winter published a small magazine called “THE 1:22.5 DIGEST” the
first issue was October 1981 and it lasted until June 1983. There were
11 issues then is was discontinued. Don build some DR&GW flat cars and
high side gondolas. I bought 2 of each, the trucks side frames are
white metal, with plastic wheels and metal axles. The trucks didn’t
work very good, so I used LGB freight car trucks under them and when
Kedee came out with their couplers I added them to the cars.

Marc Horovitz has a small column in the magazine, and the Sidestreet
Banner was published by Marc starting in August 1982. It turned into
Garden Railways in January 1984.

submitted by Bob Walker

I’m sure Dave, Fred and Kevin can expand on this further. Things that are so common of knowledge to those that participated are true mysteries to those that were not involved.

#2

Yeah, he was in the early days.
Quit, sold off all his casting equipment, decided to come back in 1:20, asked on the 1:20 list where to buy casting equipment, set up, expanded into 7/8n2, if I recall.

He was constantly asking for advice, taking input, then he announced he was building some critter using a Globe motor, if I recall, and I think at 24v.

I pointed out the fallacy of this, as we had tried Globe motors, seems this time he didn’t ask first, had purchased a whole bunch of motors, his panties got in a wad, he dropped out of 7/8n2 (and, folks who followed it figured out right away the reason was not the reason), and eventually quit 1:20 and out of biz again.

The comment on the trucks holds true.

I’ve seen them, at least one version, the sideframes are offset, which means bolster to journal is longer on one end than the other, and there is no left and right sideframe.
Appeared to be all from the same mold.

The axles, while parallel, were not square to the sideframes.

Enough drilling and filling, you could get them to work, but I don’t know if anyone took the time to do so.

I just quit even reading his posts.

#3

He has been a nonfrequent contributor to the 1:20.3 list and has had some health problems for awhile. But just from some of his answers and questions that have been presented to him, I got the impressioin he was involved somehow for quite a few years. Vance Bass was the one that really got the history going on the early 1980’s portion of the hobby and the formation of Garden Railways magazine. Probably not that interesting if you were living and particpating in it. But sure answers a lot of questions when it unknown territory. :wink: