New O Gauge Modeler with Intermodal and Coal Industry Questions

Brian HubbsOGR Forum Member

Hello, this is my first post in the OGR Forums.

I just recently bought my first O gauge product, an MTH Railking ES44AC (BNSF) with a flat car with trailer, a coal hopper, and caboose. I have modeled in N scale for years but my worsening arthritis and peripheral neuropathy makes that impractical any more. Besides, I’d always wanted an O gauge layout.

My question: what is available, industry-wise, for these two freight cars I currently own? I would like some type of intermodal terminal and something to do with coal. I’m considering the Lionel Intermodal Mi-Jack Crane from ebay (I have one in N scale) and perhaps the American Power and Light plant from Menards. I don’t need a prototypical industry, just one that gives the “flavor” of it. I also don’t require a working, operable accessory, just the model. With a lot of modern train sets and equipment for sale, it seems Lionel, MTH, Woodland Scenics, Ameri-Towne, and others are missing a golden opportunity by not offering more relatively inexpensive industry equipment for coal, intermodal, and grain (grain elevators, anyone?). Thanks in advance for your suggestions and help.

Brian

3/12/174:27 PM

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bigtruckpeteOGR Forum Member

Brian, First welcome to the forum and O Gauge trains!

You have picked two great items to build your industry. The Lionel Mi-Jack is great for intermodal static displays. You might also want to add a die cast container lift from a site like diecast direct.com. For coal the Menards building is perfect. If you want a kit to build try Korber Models power plant or a Lionel rotary tipple. On the grain side look for a Lionel grain elevator kit

Enjoy the search and show us some pics when you start getting it all in place.

3/13/1712:50 AM

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Joe FautyOGR Forum Member DIGITAL SUBSCRIBER

Brian:

For a crane you might want to try your own. Below was built with Plastruct parts except for the 'girder panel' which came from Scenic Express.

Joe

Picture above from a cusotmer

A small one for my layout

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3/13/1712:00 PM

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Joe FautyOGR Forum Member DIGITAL SUBSCRIBER

With respect to coal you need to determine whether you want to be a supplier or a customer. This will dictate what you build.

As a supplier you are looking at a mine scene - there are a lot of O scale kits to choose from. From the mine ship to a distributor perhaps.

As a customer you have many more options. You can include the distributor up front then follow up with a user. Users can include the power plant cited above. If you are modeling the steam era you can include delivery to a coal tipple in your steam locomotive yard. Also till the 1950's (I think) all cities before the advent of natural gas had coal gas plants. These plants would take in coal to manufacture gas to power gas lamps like street lights and homes. The gas was stored in a telescoping tank called a gas holder. Alan Graziano built a beautiful gas holder that is posted in this forum.

Joe

3/13/1712:12 PM

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