Question For The Multi-Scalers

Google I have.  Looked at 2-3, but it's hard to learn the pulse and tone of a forum just browsing a few threads. Was hoping for personal experiences to be shared.

Thanks for the suggestion, though.

EDIT:

ogaugeguy: Yeah, I gave him a pass on the sarcasm.  And you're right: "Word of mouth" is what I'm hoping for.

HI Andre:

Unfortunately, I have not found a HO forum that I am active in, but I do a LOT on research (and not a lot of contributing at this point) on forums such as:

• Yahoo Steam Freight Car List

• Various Yahoo historical society lists (GN and NP are my most frequent) and GN and NP modeling forums.
• The forum at http://model-railroad-hobbyist.com/forum looks quite active, but I have not spent a lot of time there (haven't been looking for anything specific).  BTW, if you have not subscribed to "Model Railroad Hobbiest", you should, and it is free.

Most of my research focuses on specific industry modeling, open top loads, and 40s / 50s era tank cars.  One industry I researched was breweries, and I ended up buying a book, and spending a LOT of time learning about the Milwaukee Road Beer Line.  Fascinating operation, and it begs to be modeled (and a lot of guys do).  There is a Yahoo group just for that. 

Depending on what questions you have on HO, I'm building a behemoth in HO in my basement, so I'm fairly conversant with what is out there currently.  Feel free to e-mail me at jlzeman@comcast.net with any questions you have. 

Besides, I would love to pick your brain on what is going on with the V-Scale side of life.  I miss MSTS, curious what you have been up to in that arena, and what good trackage is now available for MSTS or it's successor (Open Rail?).  I'd like to dive back into that at some point closer to my retirement date.

Did you ever finish your GM&O route?     

Regards,

Jerry

Join the NMRA.  The NMRA website has an "Ask the Masters" forum. 

NH Joe

Mark: 

LOL!  Good point!  However, I now have a stock answer:

"I have too much invested..."  you know this answer well, right?

Joe:

Thanks. I'll check into that.

Jerry:

Good to see you stop by.  Mainly, I'm wanting input on products available. Such as how well the Walthers #6 double crossover works, was "such an such" ever made, etc.  Gotta' remember I have not been in HO for something like 10-15 years now, so a lot of it is all new to me.

I think I may relax from my previous HO standards and not be quite so riveted on rivets, if 'ya know what I mean.  In other words, I think I'm going to adapt a "good e'nuf" approach and go with that. I'm still sorting through what I will consider "good e'nuf", though.  (For example, I have a couple of recent release RTR BLI CB&Q NW2's, and they're likely the wrong phase for the numbers... but they look great and run/sound great... so I think they're going to be "good e'nuf" once some weathering is thrown on them. That sort of thing.)

Ah, V scale via MSTS/Open Rails.  Well, funny you should ask. Go get yerself an iced tea, pull up a chair, and I'll write a novelette and tell you a bit about it...

First off, I don't know if I'll ever release another commercial route. A released commercial route represents TONS of work. At this point in my life, my hobby time is quite limited and has to be spread over several interests. However, I do often indulge in V scale as a hobbyist. 

Primarily, I use V scale to cater to my love/appreciation for "link n' pin" railroading, both standard gauge and narrow gauge. I have many hobby routes on my hard drive that are link n' pin routes. In fact, I just recently gave my Colorado Midland route to Don Karch for inclusion into his Colorado Springs/Cripple Creek rails project.  My CM version had represented all the railroads in Colorado Springs, and the CM up to Divide and over to Florissant, circa 1893. It is primarily track and terrain only. I figured I'd never finish it, so I gave it to Don so it can be released and enjoyed by other enthusiasts.  I also did this same thing with my Lehigh & New England route: Gave it away for inclusion in the "Tri-State" route effort, its release is forthcoming.

My current V scale link n' pin routes that get worked on as mood/time incline:

* Colorado Central circa 1884.

* Denver South Park & Pacific circa 1884.

* Central Pacific's Donner Pass circa 1869.

* Silverton RR, circa 1892-3.

* Alleghany Central/Virginia Midland proto-lanced route, circa late 1880s.

Now, there IS a commercial idea I've had that I'm toying with: A small diesel era "Mini Route" switching route that is somewhat generic in flavor that can plausibly be used for almost any railroad.  I'm thinking about using the KC's West Bottoms area, and reflecting the prototype scenes... but not pinpoint its location with industry names/etc, instead using "general' industry/location names.  That way, others can use it for the Pennsy, or the NYC, or whatever... and I can use my own version for the KC West Bottoms!  However, there's a big "WE SHALL SEE" on this idea. Even a 2-4 tile "Mini Route" is a LOT of work to follow through to completion/release.

As for Open Rails: It has come a thousand miles and is getting to be a viable option to MSTS. I am part of the "Management Team". Even though I am not a "coder", I was included on account of my prototype experience as well as being a non-coder to help coerce the coders to maintain a plausible course/etc. 

Whew... told you it would be a novelette!

All for now. (My fingers are tired!)

"Thus, I ask my multi-scale friends: Can you recommend a good HO forum?"

   Hi Andre,  I highly recommend the model railroad hobbyist magazine forum. Some of the best multi scale modelers post there. You'd fit in just fine and could pick the brains of some great HO modelers as well as give the group some valuable input based on your experiences modeling and railroading. ........DaveB

Thanks Dave.

I've been checking it out since you suggested it. Looks interesting.

I'm hoping to land at a place that has a few fans of urban switching layout so I can glean inspiration/ideas.  However, that may be hoping for a bit much!

"I'm hoping to land at a place that has a few fans of urban switching layout so I can glean inspiration/ideas.  However, that may be hoping for a bit much!"

    I'm sure you can find some guys focused on that, and they'd certainly enjoy your input. You might also like retired rail Charlie Duckworth's posts about his MP and RI layout set in your part of the country. .....DaveB

Sounds good. At this point though, I can't seem to login or subscribe. Thought I was a subscriber seeing as I receive notifications of MRH into my inbox.

Sent a note to them via the website asking for an assist.  We'll see what happens.

Have you looked at the Forums on the Model Railroader site?  They are mostly HO and they are quite informative. 

See http://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/default.aspx

LittleTommy

Maybe the new HONG forum will serve your needs.

Update:

Thanks for more input LittleTommy. 

FWIW: I took a look at the MR Hobbyist forums and even posted an introductory type post: Got somewhat of a small reception.  I suspect that there is a very defined "inner circle" there. No biggie.  Oh, and it also seems there's some "Uber Modelers" there (i.e. those that take their modeling VERY serious and to a VERY high standard).  I no longer want to be, or have the desire, to be an "Uber Modeler".  "Good enuf" modeling is going to suit me fine, and such an approach isn't always openly received by Uber Modeler's.  Again, no biggie.

As for our new HONG forum:

YES!  I'm all over it RoyBoy!  I know a TON of the guys here at OGR, for I've been here since about 2000-2001 as I recall.  So many of them are like seeing friends you see weekly at your favorite coffee shop, so I'm really glad OGR decided to open a multi-scale forum.  Unless something changes in the future, I reckon OGR's HONG Forum, and other OGR forums, will be my main haunts.

Andre