CTA "L" questions

Midwest Traction Co.OGR Forum Member

I've always modeled HO, and have said I'd only do three rail if the prototype also has three rails. Since my passion for traction has been stronger than my interest in dual gauge, I've had a pair of MTH CTA L sets strung out on my dining room table all summer. I have been doing some research on these units and now I have a few questions:

These units are scaled larger the most other O. Are there any other trolleys close to the same scale? The Bowser units look close, but the is the Atlas Industrial Rail too small?

I haven't run the trains yet because I've read the manual from MTH and I'd like to get the most out of the Proto Sounds. The MTH controller is awesome but is there another controller from their list that is also good?

I have a box of O27 tubular track from a garage sale, will I be disappointed in the performance? I'd like to run the trains along the wall on shelf brackets with little to no scenery. Plus they recommend O31, but I hand pushed the dummies through an O27 curve and the seemed okay?

Thank you in advance!

11/15/159:11 PM

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suzukovichOGR Forum Member

What do you have? The MTH CTA EL cars are scale. Although they will run on 031 curves 048 is much better. Think of it this way. The curves on the loop, I believe are 45 degrees.

11/15/159:26 PM

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Midwest Traction Co.OGR Forum Member

The cars are numbered 32-3300, one set is all silver, the other has a dark grey band around the windows. They are noticeably larger than other O gauge equipment. Thank you!

11/15/159:32 PM

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RailRideOGR Forum Member SUPPORTING MEMBER

I believe all the RailKing subway cars except for the New York Lo-V and R-62 are a little oversize, scale-wise. Maaybe 1:45?

---PCJ

11/15/1510:43 PM

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suzukovichOGR Forum Member

Originally Posted by Midwest Traction Co.:

The cars are numbered 32-3300, one set is all silver, the other has a dark grey band around the windows. They are noticeably larger than other O gauge equipment. Thank you!

They are scale size cars. Use 048 they will run better.

11/15/1511:02 PM

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Bill RobbOGR Forum Member

The Atlas O trolley is a little bit short of scale, but the prototype in New Orleans its self is short at 40 feet, 6 inches. I don't have a double truck Bowser so I can't judge if it is scale to the prototype.

11/16/158:31 AM

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Bill RobbOGR Forum Member

Originally Posted by Midwest Traction Co.:

I have a box of O27 tubular track from a garage sale, will I be disappointed in the performance? I'd like to run the trains along the wall on shelf brackets with little to no scenery. Plus they recommend O31, but I hand pushed the dummies through an O27 curve and the seemed okay?

Caution. With O27 track they may derail on curves. If you run them on shelves and they derail, they might crash to the floor below.

11/16/158:38 AM

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CTA FanOGR Forum Member

The 3200's are 1:45 scale. Even the 6000's are also around 1:45 / 46 scale. When placed against a true O scale 1:48 car the difference is apparent.

However, you can still work with them and make a convincing layout. Also, there are folks who are working to convert these cars to two rail, if you so chose.

I've built my layout around the 3200 and 6000 series cars but have been slowly introducing more scale equipment. I will always keep the MTH cars, but ... well, they'll just be a little out of scale I guess.

My blog is at:

http://ctalayout.blogspot.com/

CTA Fan

11/16/158:54 AM

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Midwest Traction Co.OGR Forum Member

Gentlemen, I thank you for your replies. Often I am saddened to have missed the golden age of traction, as well as the golden age of brass traction modeling, however I am fortunate enough to live in the era of can motors, 3D printing and DCC. I really bought the CTA sets because they are ready to operate, as any spare time I have goes towards Interurbans in HO.

CTA fan: Your blog and YouTube are phenomenal. Your layout gives me chills, it's that cool. And thank you for including others layouts. I've been looking to model the L since I was a kid and saw the Alpine White / Green cars in the background of the movie Blues Brothers Elwood's Apartment Scene. Or maybe it was pacing them on the Kennedy after Cumberland, I grew up within bicycling distance of IRM, and would frequent family further in. How much interest does MTH need to release another paint scheme?

11/16/159:27 PM

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