N Scale Hi Rail - Retro Hollow Core Door Layout

[nkalanaga]

"You’re on the edge of having a 10 pounds of potatoes in a 5 pound bag layout."

But that's typical of layout design 50 years ago, so the ancient rolling stock should be right at home!

[CRL]

Yeah, I know...

Looks like most HO layouts. 

[wm3798]

So today I took delivery of this beast, purchased as is from the ebays.



Reading the Spookshow review, this is reputedly the first U.S. prototype steam locomotive produced in N scale, a Rivarossi manufactured piece imported first by Atlas and later by Con-Cor.

As promised by the seller, it doesn't run.  An initial tear down reveals that the motor does in fact work but there's something hinky in the drive train that has it binding up.  The seller stated that he was the original owner, and that the locomotive ran fine early on, then seized up and never ran again.

It turns out the frame is suffering from crumbly alloy syndrome, and the bearings on one of the drivers has snapped off.  I'm working on a work around... a prosthetic styrene bearing attached with some CA (which works remarkably well on the crumbly stuff).

I'll let you know how it works out once I get Humpty Dumpty together again.

Lee

[DKS]

I have a couple of these old beasties, and if you find the frame is beyond repair, let me know.

Yes, this is the first US proto N Scale steamer. I always thought it was an odd choice, but the funny thing is it's one of my favorite locos, and not just because of nostalgia.

[Point353]

Yes, this is the first US proto N Scale steamer.

Isn't it tied for first with the Arnold Rapido Pacific?
Both locos are shown as of 1967 vintage.

[DKS]

Isn't it tied for first with the Arnold Rapido Pacific?
Both locos are shown as of 1967 vintage.

Oh yes, there are all kinds of wrinkles and caveats with respect to who was "first." And then there's this little gem:

A NYC Hudson J-3A (quite decent, by available accounts) produced by Carl-Erik Nordstrand of TfA:s Hobbytjänst, Stockholm, released in 1947.



Difficult to judge whether or not this entry could be considered legitimate since the product line only lasted a couple of years. And HOO was 1:152, although it could arguably be considered N Scale. But still, it all makes for very murky waters in the "first N Scale US steamer" category.

 

[dem34]

TBF I'm also pretty sure most stuff in Japanese N scale is 1/150.

[DKS]

TBF I'm also pretty sure most stuff in Japanese N scale is 1/150.

Yes, it is. More here: http://davidksmith.com/birth-of-n/japanese.htm

I also forgot the Lone Star Baldwin steamer, produced circa 1962. Not a very faithful model, but it was clearly American in design.

 

[Point353]

Oh yes, there are all kinds of wrinkles and caveats with respect to who was "first." And then there's this little gem:
A NYC Hudson J-3A (quite decent, by available accounts) produced by Carl-Erik Nordstrand of TfA:s Hobbytjänst, Stockholm, released in 1947.
Difficult to judge whether or not this entry could be considered legitimate since the product line only lasted a couple of years. And HOO was 1:152, although it could arguably be considered N Scale. But still, it all makes for very murky waters in the "first N Scale US steamer" category.

I've always considered the definition of 'N' to be the combination of 1:160 model scale and 9mm track gauge.

[DKS]

I've always considered the definition of 'N' to be the combination of 1:160 model scale and 9mm track gauge.

That would make manufacturers who don't follow your rule wrong. (And there's a bunch.)

[Rich_S]

I've always considered the definition of 'N' to be the combination of 1:160 model scale and 9mm track gauge.

I agree with David. Two of the UK's largest N gauge (1:148 models running on 9mm track) manufacturers Dapol and Graham Farish (Bachmann) would disagree with your statement. While it's true that in Europe and the USA N scale is 1:160 models running on 9mm track, in the UK and Japan you'll find other scales running on 9mm track and for the most part they are considered standard gauge trains.

David goes into great detail on his web page and I would encourage everyone to take a look at this great resource. Thank you David for putting the web page together.

http://davidksmith.com/birth-of-n/chapter-1.htm

[wm3798]

I have a couple of these old beasties, and if you find the frame is beyond repair, let me know.

Yes, this is the first US proto N Scale steamer. I always thought it was an odd choice, but the funny thing is it's one of my favorite locos, and not just because of nostalgia.

Yes, as it happens, the frame is beyond repair.  I patched the one bearing with some styrene, and actually had it running quite smoothly forward, but was still getting some lurching and seizing in reverse, so I went in to make some further adjustments, and ended up busting the front axle bearing and the housing that holds the pilot.

Oh well...  I got a pretty cool shell and a functional tender out of the deal!  If that second box hasn't left the station yet, perhaps a surplus frame could be in order.  Meanwhile, I'm going to pull the motor and some other bits and repair the Pacific I was messing with some months ago...

Lee

[DKS]

If that second box hasn't left the station yet, perhaps a surplus frame could be in order.

You got it.

[wm3798]

I've decided that SCARM is a SCAM.  I started working out the details of the revised plan for the HCD version of the Retro Layout, and after a smattering of track was laid out, it comes up and tells me I've used all the track I can with the free version, and to continue, I'll need to drop some coins in their box.

Screw that.  Back to the graph paper and pencil sharpener.

Lee

[Rich_S]

I've decided that SCARM is a SCAM.  I started working out the details of the revised plan for the HCD version of the Retro Layout, and after a smattering of track was laid out, it comes up and tells me I've used all the track I can with the free version, and to continue, I'll need to drop some coins in their box.

Screw that.  Back to the graph paper and pencil sharpener.

Lee

Hi Lee, I feel your pain. Years ago I downloaded the Atlas "Right Track" freeware track planning software. This was the software I used to design my HCD layout. Now Atlas has gone to a "demo version" track planning software that will do some things, but if you want the full flavor version it will cost you $32. While that is not an outrageous price, the downside is the only track listed in the library is Atlas track. But not to leave anyone out, I've also heard a few horror stories about 3rd Planit. The only one I know of that is still free is XTrkCad ( http://www.xtrkcad.org/Wikka/CurrentRelease ) Here is the Beginners Tutorial ( http://www.xtrkcad.org/Wikka/BeginnerTutorial ) Now the disclaimer, I don't have any experience with the product, but you can't beat the price    

Lastly, Here's an YouTube overview video.