We have resurrected the old On30 layout. It has been expanded to 5x8. Am impressed by how much six inches improves the space. We are going to use Kato HO Unitrack. The benchwork is one piece this time, no sagging. Just added five foot cross members to the old side pieces. Using foam to create the creek below level.

Originally I was going to do the layout in 55n3 using the Kato Unitrack.  Then I discovered that I could get three inch cl to cl with the Unitrack. The 55n3 effort will probably move to modules.





The Kato Unitrack allows the track to be weathered at the workbench. That was one of the reasons I haven't built a layout. Too old to climb all over the benchwork to do the track.





Found that a "dirt" ballast berm could be developed using Sculptamold mixed with latex paint. Here for our HOn30 project.



The new layout page is at:

https://www.pacificcoastairlinerr.com/new_layout/

Boy, do those new Bachmann Moguls sound great.

Thank you if you visit
Harold

Resurrected the benchwork from the old On30 layout. Splotched some clouds onto the backdrop to cover the defects. Tired of sanding and still not being able to get the paint to match in those areas.



Got a good deal on the package of HO Kato Unitrack for the for the Model Railroader's  Black River Junction layout about four years ago.

Found that the track can be painted to look like narrow gauge track.





What is 55n3, visit:

http://www.55n3.info/

Thank you if you visit
Harold

Found this idea on the net but was written up in Kalmbach's "Model Railroad Planning 2018". The issue featured Doug Tagsold's Colorado & Southern. The premise is using HO gauge equipment to represent 1/72 scale narrow gauge.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XNzTH795P5w

http://smallmr.com/wordpress/doug-tagsolds-colorado-southern-narrowgauge-modelrailroad-modelrail-train/

Liking out-of-the-box thinking this is my take on the idea:

http://www.chainsawjunction.com/172n4/







Thank you if you Visit

Harold

Hard to believe that I bought my first Bachmann On30 Wonderland Express train-set 20 years ago. Wow, twenty years ago.

Have a "what-I-did" about lowering the Bachmann On30 freight cars to eliminate the funky draft gear look.

http://www.pacificcoastairlinerr.com/lower_cars/







Engineer Bill is excited to be back on the net.

I know that lowering the cars has been done before. Never did it because most used the Bachmann On30 logging truck which is expensive and scarce. Found a really cheap On30 truck at Shapeways.

Speaking of time, been spouting my garbage on the internet for 15 years. Next March is the 15th anniversity of pacificcoastairlinerr.com. Have refreshed some of the "moving" stuff on the website to reflect On30 today.

https://www.pacificcoastairlinerr.com/

Thanks everyone who has visited
Harold

Have a "what-I-did" delving into the conversion of a new tooling oldtime H0 Bachmann 4-4-0 into an early Sn3.5 4-4-0.

http://www.chainsawjunction.com/sn3_5/locomotives/4-4-0/



Later web articles will detail and paint the loco.

Just in primer now as we need to build some cars and plan some layout.

Thank you if you visit
Harold

Ended this idea back in 2008. The lack of available easily made motive power and other supplies caused me to abandon the project.

With the availability of new items and information we are developing some new stuff.









Visit our new website:

http://www.chainsawjunction.com/sn3_5/

Rubber gauging is fun.

Thank you if you visit
Harold

Have a video of the updated On30 Bachmann Mogul.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=REwPeD9ELm8&feature=youtu.be

Am sure the question is "Is the updated version worth the price?"

Having done the conversion on an analog, price-wise:

QuoteAll prices with shipping

Street Price of Update with sound $298.85  

Street price Analog Mogul $100.90

Connectors $6

Phosphor bronze sheet $6

Speakers $12

Tsunami 2 Total:    $108.81

Miscellaneous $15

Total $245.71

http://www.pacificcoastairlinerr.com/mogul_tsunami/

Worth the $50 for sound, having done the conversion, yeah.

Harold

Have updated the conversion with new trucks and techniques:

http://www.55n3.info/cars/convert_box/



Thank you if you visit
Harold

The first 55n3 site was put on the web in 2010. Due to medical problems I couldn't pursue this endeavor further. Time went by and I let the domain lapse. Now my medical problems have been under control, none of which were life threatening, just debilitating.

Been in and out of the hobby since 2010 and can't believe how such a short period has brought so much change. Most of the items discussed on the 55n3 website are no longer available and have to be sourced on E-bay.

I write web-articles on the net. The satisfaction comes not in praise or an "atta-boy" post but someone using the information that was presented. It is nice to see someone applying the techniques that I bloviated about even if no credit is given to me. Stuff comes up in magazines that I recognize as my contribution to the hobby.

It was warming to see Ronald Halma's American Civil War 55n3 Layout on the net. Ronald showed the concept of 28mm war gaming items and On30 Bachmann equipment is a viable concept.

Thank you, Ronald

Vist Ronald's blog:

http://metusajunction.blogspot.com/

There are videos of Ronald's efforts two at:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I3qV380BOnw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=5&v=Xm7yRD0asz8

Our 55n3 website is now 55n3.info and no longer 55n3.org

http://www.55n3.info/



28mm gaming has grown and there are more figures and vehicles available.

Thank you if you visit
Harold

Have a "What-I-Did" delving into aligning track on T-Trak modules:

http://www.chainsawjunction.com/n-scale/t-trak/aligner/



PDF version at:

http://www.chainsawjunction.com/n-scale/t-trak/aligner/aligner.pdf

Thank you if you visit
Harold

Have a "What-I-Did" delving into an operating front coupler for the Bachmann N-scale 2-8-0

http://www.chainsawjunction.com/n-scale/locomotives/front_coupler/



Always about what I am doing and not really how to.

Thank you if you visit
Harold

Got one these from MB Klein this afternoon.

From the diagram has the can motor like the 4-6-0.

My guesstimate is a 15mm diameter speaker facing downward  in the tender.

Full Soundtraxx Economi with all the sounds.

Runs and sounds really great, am impressed.

Thanks Bachmann

Harold

Finally got the reworked 4-4-0 video on You Tube:

http://youtu.be/k2ZzMwIaK8U



Harold

Here is a video of my Tsunami conversion of the Mogul:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_78JD4OsBvU

Visit the "what I did" at:

http://www.pacificcoastairlinerr.com/mogul_tsunami/

Thank you if you visit
Harold

Article about a new motor:

http://cwrailman.com/projects.html

Harold

Bachmann makes them in HO. Bachmann makes steamers.

We need a good USRA hopper in n-scale that is AVAILABLE to go with the steamers.

Yeah I know Micro-trains makes a 33' twin but they are hit-n-miss.

Harold

Found this using the Google:

http://books.google.com/books?id=i-5myZhNxksC&printsec=frontcover&dq=logging&source=bl&ots=HdlxpxKp2x&sig=C9lfeLt3r1k-kc9MeBCfG2eUaV8&hl=en&sa=X&ei=sekHUJjnHtO20AHC4KDXAw&ved=0CF8Q6AEwCDgU#v=onepage&q=logging&f=false

Harold

EDIT: To download click the little gear in the upper right corner and download PDF