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Minitrains Steam Loco

Started by WTierce1, July 14, 2010, 02:20:33 PM

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CNE Runner

It amazes me to see the apparent interest in HOn30. Personally, I never had much of an interest in narrow gauge modelling. I guess I viewed narrow gauge as a 'niche market' in our hobby. On30 is just too large for the space I (and most of us) have available - but HOn30 is an entirely different matter. Perhaps it is time for MinitrainS to make its comeback with good running, well made products (not the stuff they used to produce way back when). I think I see an HOn30 layout in the distant future...'certainly something to consider. [Gosh I love the look of that MinitrainS Plymouth. I don't think I have the skills to convert it to standard HO...but I think I know someone who does.]

Ray
"Keeping my hand on the throttle...and my eyes on the rail"

richg

Here is a project I have but long time coming. I have a N scale SW1200 as the base for the Climax.

http://www.mrollins.com/climaxpix.html

Rich

J3a-614

#17
Well, here are some narrow-gauge video links that hopefully may provide some inspiration.  A number of these are from China and India, yet I see ourselves as we were a hundred years ago; I can even say I see my father and both of my grandfathers in the Chinese coal miner with the hand-pushed rail car in the second clip:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gwd6Ra6mDzU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9KLvVk37CbQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ZdgPYT7AGU&feature=related

Clay hauler for a brick works--looks like the construction boss has or will have an ulcer in the second clip:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p53mEpq-vCc&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X3aie80dXqk&feature=related

Wow!  Try duplicating this operation!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d7dyreIrLy4&feature=related

Some of those clay cars look familiar:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YXp8Kyzf1ls&NR=1

Coal road in India:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IEikzycEJ3k&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Frh3PHnGFO0&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w-rnblPaPrk&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QYArdE4CAGo&feature=related

Wiscasset Waterville & Farmington:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7d1vGxZRFH8&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mYU-jdNFw_c&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iIujUvICibQ&feature=related

Two-foot gauge Shay in Pennsylvania:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JgOZAr2bbgQ&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pYc2zAcNZfQ&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a3VrFPe9ML8&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HuwY7o0pJbk&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0mX3wdLlEWE&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a3VrFPe9ML8&feature=related

Export Shay in Taiwan:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6JUnqW-qwJI&feature=fvw

The appeal of steam is universal:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N0_AEJknulM&feature=related


Finally, at least for now, is this full-sized narrow-gauge Class A Climax replica in West Virginia--wouldn't you like this in your back yard?

http://www.wchstv.com/traveling/2008/twv080612.shtml

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HhJs9lDHjGk

Some of these have been posted before, but considering the subject matter, a repeat performance seems to be called for--enjoy!

J3a-614

Look around and you always find a little more:

Arkansas Lime Company narrow-gauge road, converted to standard in 2000; something like this General Electric 25 or 30 ton model might be a producte to offer commercially, and was also built in standard gauge:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NtCr4c23GTQ

Clay road in Floridaa; those hoppers would look at home behind a Chinese industrial 0-8-0, or the 0-8-0 would look at home in Florida:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GmhXBVO4u4o

Now gone operation at Bethlehem Steel:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MxHOpxYdt_M&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ZMQMy0hXrU&NR=1

Preservation and restoration:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ovTlmPsQyBk&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ljWwJfiCE8&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uQ4r3KyCgow

Some of these units have pretty extreme weathering:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Z9a8Uwf_nY&feature=related

Interesting sounds:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=amCnE3Ocnnk&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BZdCKm_7wm8&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_8-5ePG_Hqg&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HKGLd2MrGzo&NR=1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-r41fw-JI48&feature=related

GE 25-tonner at Pine Bluff with the famous Cotton Belt 819:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y_95_czd7qQ&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BLF2US7T8sg&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fi1zkb_jNso&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OmCraBXOFGM&feature=related

Enjoy.

CNE Runner

I am not 100% convinced...but I think this is the track plan I will use for my (not-so-distant) HOn30 layout. The plan is on Carl Arendt's website and is called Pine Ridge II. This is an adaption, by Scotsman Jack Trollope, of an earlier plan. I particularly liked Jack's use of a 3-track transfer table (traverser). I can just see that little MinitrainS Plymouth pulling little HOn30 rolling stock. 'Should be a good project for the motor home.
Now all I have to do is purchase that MinitrainS set.

Cheers,
Ray
"Keeping my hand on the throttle...and my eyes on the rail"

J3a-614

I think this is something you will be interested in.

Scroll down, to near the bottom:

http://www.peachcreekshops.com/

http://www.peachcreekshops.com/images/bchsteamer.jpg

Anticipate!

CNE Runner

That's right J3a-614...throw some more gasoline on the fire! I plan on ordering the MinitrainS Plymouth 10-car set next week (as of now I don't have a single length of track on which to run it - but what the hey?). That image of the MinitrainS steamer looked interesting and the engine would really benefit from a repaint as well as some super detailing add-ons.

I have built the basic train board for the HOn30 layout; but am having some problems designing the transfer table (traverser). My Monks' Island has two traversers that could have been designed/built much better. [Hindsight is usually 20/20.] The use of Tomar pick up shoes makes them electrically reliable though. I envision the new traverser pit to be very shallow - so I will have to come up with a different method of guide rails. Ah, the trials and tribulations of model railroading!

Thanks for doing the additional research. I have bookmarked the Peach Creek Shops website.

Regards,
Ray
"Keeping my hand on the throttle...and my eyes on the rail"

ebtnut

Check out the pics here: http://www.undergroundminers.com/oldwanamie6.html

I believe this operation was 30" gauge, and running as late as 1967!  You could take one of the Minitrains lokies and perform surgery on the cab and make a very close replica of this little mills. 


WTierce1

The Peach Creak Shops site said that bch has introdused the steam loco but it is not on there website.
A fan of the Tennessee Valley Railroad

J3a-614

Peach Creek probably is making or has an early announcement--afraid we'll have to wait a while.

WTierce1

A fan of the Tennessee Valley Railroad

J3a-614

Oh, one other thing--the announcement on the Peach Creek shops page is on a news page; the image and other things will go away when the page gets updated, so you may not want to count on the image staying too long--but then, if the little thing gets here, you'll not have to worry about that.

WTierce1

 Actually it said somthing about bch introdusing the sets that I have and said that they have now added the steamer to there line. So i`m kinda hopeful. ;D
A fan of the Tennessee Valley Railroad

CNE Runner

J3a-614, I was surprised by the Pioneer Tunnel website and remembered visiting the place some years ago. I will never forget when our guide turned off all lighting and said the 'lights' you are seeing really aren't there! This is a very interesting place to visit...wear warm clothing (even in summer as the temperature of the mine always remains in the mid 50F range.

Ray
"Keeping my hand on the throttle...and my eyes on the rail"