O Scale modeling

[antlorch]

I am wondering if there are any O scalers out there wanting more modern prototypical scale models in plastic than what are available now?

 I model in HO and do alot of detailing and am interested in doing the same in O scale but the models available today are limited and though good representations of the prototype they still need some body modifications.

Anyway i would like to hear from as many modelers as possible and will be collecting data to talk to a manufacturer..

Thanks, Anthony

[ednadolski]

Atlas O is about as modern and detailed as it gets for O scale plastic.  The 3-rail market dominates the scale, and manufacturers have to adapt accordingly since the volume for other market segments simply does not exist.  You can find some specialty/niche products, usually in the form of kits and/or parts, but otherwise detailers are pretty much on their own (especially for modern era).

WRT "prototypical scale models", that usually means having to dive right into Proto:48, since there's not much point to start replacing chunky details with accurate, scale/handcrafted parts, only to leave the model with oversized, over-wide trucks and wheels, and non-prototypical Kadee coupler boxes.

Modern-era P:48 is something that I call a 4th-order minority scale, meaning (very roughly) about 1 in 10,000 modelers.

Ed

[ednadolski]

A little more info on P:48:

https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=48306.msg639882#msg639882

[dem34]

Atlas O is about as modern and detailed as it gets for O scale plastic.  The 3-rail market dominates the scale, and manufacturers have to adapt accordingly since the volume for other market segments simply does not exist.  You can find some specialty/niche products, usually in the form of kits and/or parts, but otherwise detailers are pretty much on their own (especially for modern era).

WRT "prototypical scale models", that usually means having to dive right into Proto:48, since there's not much point to start replacing chunky details with accurate, scale/handcrafted parts, only to leave the model with oversized, over-wide trucks and wheels, and non-prototypical Kadee coupler boxes.

Modern-era P:48 is something that I call a 4th-order minority scale, meaning (very roughly) about 1 in 10,000 modelers.

Ed

I could however see it not being as daunting if one where to concede to sticking with Shortline OPs. But yeah, boggles the mind imagining trying to putting together an accurate P:48 intermodel train.

[davefoxx]

I’d much more seriously consider O scale modeling, if it weren’t for the gauge issues.  I own two On30 ET&WNC 4-6-0s, which should be 36” gauge, not 30”.  Combine that with O scale standard gauge being 5’, not 4’8-1/2”, and dual gauge track looks like tinplate three-rail. 

DFF

[ednadolski]

I could however see it not being as daunting if one where to concede to sticking with Shortline OPs. But yeah, boggles the mind imagining trying to putting together an accurate P:48 intermodel train.

I think it depends too on where one draws the line on "accuracy"    A full-size intermodal train would be daunting in any scale (not to mention costly... in N once could easily exceed $3000, even without the motive power) 

(I suppose that one could make the case that N-scale wheels are technically less accurate than the corresponding wheels in 2-rail O (gauge differences aside of course, but then you get the rail size differences too...)    )


Ed