Marmion Valley - HOn30 2 x 4 Layout

[Chris333]

I can't even find them for sale yet so I'm safe (for now)

[timgill]

I can't even find them for sale yet so I'm safe (for now)

I had the same issue and ended up contacting Minitrains directly. They were very helpful, and referred me to a local(ish) dealer who had them in stock and shipped them to me fairly cheaply.

There, now you have no excuse. Muahahahaha

[wcfn100]

I can't even find them for sale yet so I'm safe (for now)

Caboose Hobbies carries a bit of the Minitrains stuff.  You might call them and get an idea of availability.

Jason

[Chris333]

Do the cars come apart if I want to re-paint them or are they all glued.

[timgill]

Do the cars come apart if I want to re-paint them or are they all glued.

They do come apart. This guy on Shapeways has made different 3D printed interiors for these cars:

https://www.shapeways.com/model/1884295/hon30-interior-for-f-c-coach.html?modelId=1884295&materialId=6

Also, air brake cylinders:

https://www.shapeways.com/model/1702249/4-airbrakes-for-hon30-f-c-coaches.html?modelId=1702249&materialId=61

I'm planning on painting these; the green is a bit too bright for my tastes.

[Chris333]

Caboose Hobbies didn't have the unlettered ones... So I ordered one with letters 

If it wasn't for the great chassis under there I might not, but at least I'll be happy with it's running out of the box.

[timgill]

Caboose Hobbies didn't have the unlettered ones... So I ordered one with letters 

If it wasn't for the great chassis under there I might not, but at least I'll be happy with it's running out of the box.

It's a great little runner. I'm assuming it's the same mechanism that fits under their German-prototype 0-4-0's, but with outside-frame.

I'm toying with converting it to DCC, but I'm not so experienced at that yet. If you put this tender behind it:

https://www.shapeways.com/model/1696823/small-8-wheel-tender-for-hon30-f-c-loco-ver-a.html?modelId=1696823&materialId=62

...there might even be the option of shoehorning in SOUND. Again, I say: muahahahaha

[Chris333]

Well I have that scratchbuilt 0-4-0 that I put a number "1" on and the Toma kit has a "2" so I think I'll keep both locos with the short 4-wheel tenders. I plan to give it vacuum brakes and possibly rebuild the "cowcatcher".  Other than that who knows, I don't even have a use for HOn30  lol.

[packers#1]

Well I have that scratchbuilt 0-4-0 that I put a number "1" on and the Toma kit has a "2" so I think I'll keep both locos with the short 4-wheel tenders. I plan to give it vacuum brakes and possibly rebuild the "cowcatcher".  Other than that who knows, I don't even have a use for HOn30  lol.

You'll create one 

I really dig the little loco...a small HOn30 layout would be fun

[VonRyan]

HOn30/OO9 is starting to look more and more attractive as Minitrains brings out more and more good stuff. Plus, Peco's OO9 track range is excellent.

I just don't have the ability to justify modeling in two scales. Nonetheless, I'll be watching with great interest.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Really, I think of the spurs as a scenic feature. They create leading lines visually and different opportunities for "sub-scenes;" the long spur to the freight house/whatever industry, the small enginehouse/service spur scene, etc. While I won't operate them, they can be used as photo ops for posing rolling stock/etc.

All that said, it is tempting just to make this a racetrack with no spurs, since the primary function here is a display layout. Since I'm handlaying, omitting turnouts does have the attraction of less time commitment; the $$ factor is negligible since rail and ties are cheap.

That makes sense, and is kinda what I thought.

I feel like, if they're just going to be scenery, then it makes the most sense to lay them out a bit more organically.

Do you have some photos or references for what the actual scenes that you're trying to replicate look like?

[timgill]

That makes sense, and is kinda what I thought.

I feel like, if they're just going to be scenery, then it makes the most sense to lay them out a bit more organically.

Do you have some photos or references for what the actual scenes that you're trying to replicate look like?

Here are a few snaps I've grabbed from the web.

These are the "vibe" I'm going for with the Depot side:








That last one is a little more "big town terminus" than I am going for.

Here are a couple trestles that serve as inspiration for the other side of the layout.





My main inspiration for this layout is the 3' Pacific Coast Railroad, combined with some Maine 2-footer influence.

I really do appreciate feedback and criticism/suggestions on the design; it's helping me refine the vision of the layout before I start.

Picked up a bundle of Code 55 rail and the supplies to start scratchbuilding the depot today. Waiting on ties to arrive!

[timgill]

The more I think about the plan, and the more that I evaluate the available space I have, I'm temped to make this a full blown HCD sized plan at about 2.5' x 6'.

This would allow me to maximize the "scene" potential on either side; I could install folding-table legs below and removable plexiglass on the sides to allow attachment of a cover for storage.

IMAG1682 by timgill1983, on Flickr

Anyhow, just a thought. A revision of the Depot side would then involve just a passing siding and a small house track or team track.

[Chris333]

Here is a cool page I found the other day:
http://www.009dutch.nl/archive/2011/pages/nixnie.htm

[timgill]

Here is a cool page I found the other day:
http://www.009dutch.nl/archive/2011/pages/nixnie.htm

That's such a cool micro project. Puts me on the fence again. Part of me wants to expand this to a HCD sized layout, the other part wants to see how small I can make this project and still keep the design principles I want to have.