HOn30 questions - and perhaps a layout build?

[Dave V]

My new Minitrains stuff should be delivered tomorrow. I can test it out on the Colorado Midland (although I doubt they'll fit through the tunnels).

That said, a few more questions for the HOn30 gurus:

1. How easy/hard is it to change those strange European hook and loop couplers to proper North American-style knuckle couplers?

2. What are some sources of shorty-style North American old time freight equipment? I see stuff by Mount Blue Model Company called "Marsh Creek" which I assume is not Marsh Creek Miniatures which appears to be defunct. Is this legit? http://www.mountbluemodelco.com/HO.htm

3. Also happy to see any 2 x 4 foot HOn30 track plans that would fit a Wild West mining theme.

Thanks!

[Chris333]

Marsh Creek Miniatures is/was Rich Brungard. I showed him how to make CAD files for Ken (Mount Blue) to cut. He had some cut by them and sold them himself. He stopped playing with trains and gave Ken the rights to his stuff that he was making anyways. So they are now Mount Blue. They are legit. Their Maine 2 foot HOn30 stuff is very nice.

[davefoxx]

My new Minitrains stuff should be delivered tomorrow. I can test it out on the Colorado Midland (although I doubt they'll fit through the tunnels).

What a coincidence!  I can run my small On30 ET&WNC collection on my HO scale Carolina Sandhills Lines, but they were relegated to point-to-point service once the highway overpass went in.  😜

DFF

[Dave V]

OK, so. Here are my druthers for a layout, so I'm open to ideas (as long as no one believe's I'm obligated to act on them, LOL).

1. Space is 2 x 4 feet or smaller (I want this to fit on a Costco banquet table). Probably 2 x 4 though.

2. Super lightweight. Like no wood. Extruded foam on Gatorboard or similar. I want this to weight next to nothing.

3. Peco HOn30/HOe/OO9 track, short radius electrofrog turnouts.

4. Curves can be sharp, but not too bad. I feel like 9" is a good minimum in case I graduate beyond the cartoonishly-short Minitrains stuff.

5. One level of track. Yeah, over-and-under is fun and all, but those little Minitrains engines will struggle on the 4+% grades I'd need on a layout that small, especially with the sharp curves rolled in.

6. Power pack built into the layout. DC only for now.

7. Arizona/Utah canyon/red rock style scenery with a mine (below). Something similar to Dave Meek's Thunder Mesa, but I don't necessarily want to copy his work.

8. At least one bridge/trestle. I've gotten pretty astute at scratchbuilding these.

9. Two spurs and a passing siding (more or less).

10. Old west false-front buildings.

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[davefoxx]

Dr. Hotballz:

I like your druthers.  I believe that you can be very successful with making a level track plan look like it’s deep in the mountains and not-so-flat with some carefully planned scenery- skills that I know you have.

DFF

[Mike C]

 That Marsh Creek stuff is cool !

[Chris333]

I believe you're familiar with https://www.wildwestmodels.com/

You could do something like the Gilpin tram, but without Shays.

[pjm20]

2x4 Granny Kay & Bonnie. Add the mine railroad/truck dump on the top side?

[Chris333]

This guy has a bunch of videos on a small 009 layout:

[packers#1]

Dave, I think the Alkali Central would fit your needs, just shrunk down from HO scale 4x8 to N scale 2x4. Had the spur on the back side for your mine, and a good town area on the other. You could keep the SP line as HO scale with a transfer dock.

https://www.trains.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/618265TwoGreatLayouts.pdf

[Dave V]

Thanks for the ideas, guys! I’m actually camping this weekend, but I’m brainstorming. I do think simplicity is the key to leave enough room for scenery. 

That said, the USPS has determined that the shortest shipping route between Pasadena and Colorado Springs goes by way of Puerto Rico, so I’m gonna be waiting a while longer for the trains…

[Jbub]

Thanks for the ideas, guys! I’m actually camping this weekend, but I’m brainstorming. I do think simplicity is the key to leave enough room for scenery. 

That said, the USPS has determined that the shortest shipping route between Pasadena and Colorado Springs goes by way of Puerto Rico, so I’m gonna be waiting a while longer for the trains…

Different meaning to great circle routing. Let's see how big we can make the circle!

[davefoxx]

Dr. Dave,

You know I’m partial to this plan, which should fit on a 2’x4’ layout (or close to it) with a minimum radius of 9”.  It’s also level, as far as the main roundy-round goes, and you get to build a couple of bridges.  Plenty of scenic opportunities.  A reverse loop to change things up.



Okay, okay. The curved turnouts might be a problem, but there’s a number of us who could build those.  So, that shouldn’t be a dealbreaker.  Hopefully.

DFF

[Cajonpassfan]

Hmmm, that's a hell of a grade from the Jerome Jct. switch to the overcrossing in not much more than a foot, especially in HOn3...
Otto

[Dave V]

Love the J&S. I read every word of that series two dozen times as a kid.

I think there’s a lot of inspiration to be had from it.

Agreed on the grade. YouTube videos do show that those little Minitrains engines can do grades, but they’re not exactly graceful in doing so. I should think given realistic performance expectations and the physical size of the layout, another zero-grade layout is probably what the Doctor (Hotballz) ordered.