Early Nn3.

[robert3985]

Bob, what tie length does Gregg use? 

Jason

Jason, I don't know what length his ties are.  He buys some commercially from Kappler, then cuts the rest using various stripwoods, but he cuts them a bit more or less in length than the commercial ones, stains them...then throws them all in a plastic bag and shakes it to get that random variation like the prototype has.  Since the RGS is probably one of the most documented railroads in the world, I would venture a guess that Gregg is cutting his ties the same length scaled down as the prototype uses, and that length should be readily available online.  But, since I'm not an RGS devotee', I can't pull that info off the top of my head.

Just for the helluvit, I did a little Googling and came up with Kappler's site and they offer their Nn3 in three lengths, 6' (.450"), 6'6" (.488") and lastly, 12' (.900").  So, Gregg's are either .450" or .488".

Cheerio!
Bob Gilmore

[robert3985]

Same for me.  Google strikes again 

Hmmmm....that's odd because I see all of the photos.

I'll try something to see if it fixes the problem.

Cheerio!
Bob Gilmore

[peteski]

Hmmmm....that's odd because I see all of the photos.

Well of course - after all, those are *YOUR* photos. 

[robert3985]

I added " ?jpg " (without the quotes) to the end of each photo address.  Did that do the trick?

Cheerio!
Bob Gilmore

[Dave V]

The RGS used 6’ ties, 9’ bridge ties.

[CPR9009]

Those look like Republic Locomotive Works East Broad Top hopper kits.  I have a couple that look like that.  They come with metal underframes that have the hoppers built in.  You have to pretty much scratchbuild the end braces.  Needless to say mine haven't been touched.

Anyone know if these were ever produced?

Jason

[peteski]

I added " ?jpg " (without the quotes) to the end of each photo address.  Did that do the trick?

Cheerio!
Bob Gilmore

Nope - still only the fist and last images are visible. I did a full reload of the page.  What's different about the 1st and last image (they show up for us)?

[robert3985]

Nope - still only the fist and last images are visible. I did a full reload of the page.  What's different about the 1st and last image (they show up for us)?

Peter,

The first photo is in the same album as all the rest of them, except the last photo which is in a different album and was uploaded several years ago when Picasa still existed.  All new photos I take with my new Google Pixel 2 XL phone are uploaded automatically to googlephotos.com and all the photos except the last one were uploaded at the same time.

As they say "It don't make no sense!"

(EDIT) Okay, I reloaded the file locations on everything except the first and last photo.  They were different than the first ones I pasted to this post, so now is the problem fixed???

Cheerio!
Bob Gilmore

[peteski]

(EDIT) Okay, I reloaded the file locations on everything except the first and last photo.  They were different than the first ones I pasted to this post, so now is the problem fixed???

Cheerio!
Bob Gilmore

That fixed it Bob! Now all photos are visible. Thanks! 

[Espeeman]

Thanks for sharing this, Bob. That is an amazing layout!

[Dave V]

Now that I can see all the photos, I'm very impressed.  Once again N scale's scenery-to-trains ratio shows its advantage.  That model of Rico appears to be completely uncompressed and matches RGS valuation maps quite well.

Would love to see more as the layout progresses!

[robert3985]

Now that I can see all the photos, I'm very impressed.  Once again N scale's scenery-to-trains ratio shows its advantage.  That model of Rico appears to be completely uncompressed and matches RGS valuation maps quite well.

Would love to see more as the layout progresses!

Dave ( @Dave V )

I mentioned you a couple of times while talking to Gregg on Sunday.  I'll be posting more photos as Gregg progresses.  Yup, the scenery-to-track ratio is certainly in favor of N-scale, but...Gregg was talking about all the Marklin chassis he's collected (at a price) and then the kits to turn those Z-scale chassis into proper RGS motive power...at $600 to $800 apiece!  YIKES! for KITS!  Nn3 is an exclusive club when it comes to serious narrow gauge prototype modeling.  In HO, there is so much more that's readily available.  So, there's trade-offs in all the scales.  Just gotta do what turns your crank!

Cheerio!
Bob Gilmore

[Dave V]

Nn3 is definitely beyond my skills and probably beyond my wallet too.

I’m a sound junkie now too so there’s that.

Those Republic Nn3 kits are not unlike the GHQ conversions only much smaller!  I remember the PRR L1s bring less than easy and while it produced a decent/looking and well-running engine, I was not up to making an entire fleet that way.  I assume the Marklin chassis run very well but I can also imagine they’re pretty lightweight and unforgiving of any track blemish.

Nevertheless I’m very interested to see how this layout progresses!

[DKS]

Nn3 is an exclusive club when it comes to serious narrow gauge prototype modeling.

Many moons ago I was sorely tempted to go down that road... until I started seeing the numbers. I sobered up but quick!

That'll be a magnificent layout--I can enjoy it vicariously, at a substantial discount.

 

[Dave V]

Many moons ago I was sorely tempted to go down that road... until I started seeing the numbers. I sobered up but quick!

HOn3 is certainly both easier to see and cheaper.

As I've often stated my temptation would be to go the other way--to On30--but that has its own issues.  I think I could get over the 30" thing representing 36" (or 24"...you pick!) and at first it's easy to imagine that it takes no more room than HO standard gauge.  Then you realize how big and expensive O scale structures are.  Plus, unless you're into the cutesy 0-4-0T Porters with antlers (I am not) you quickly realize that 18" radius curves and HO scale clearances just ain't gonna cut it.

Sn3 has some amazing stuff...but again, it comes down to price.  PBL pretty much owns the Sn3 market and while their locomotives and rolling stock are completely without peer when it comes to road number-specific detailing, it's all a little overwhelming for the wallet.

Nah, I'm very happy in HOn3.