‘ESSENCE
A monthly publication of the5 Scale Special Interest Group
1:64 scale modeling with 1:1 fun
April 1986
A New York Central Hudson heads up thispassenger train on Dick Karnes’ 8 scalerailroad in Seattle. All track is handlaid on this extensiVe 1:64 pike.
Dave Jasper photo.
Ken MackenzieFoolscap EditorSYMBIOSIS: Modelers and Their Locomotive Suppliers
Symbiosis is a fancy word which scientists use when twogroups benefit from and depend on each other. We
modelers have that kind of interdependence with oursuppliers, especially locomotive suppliers. Model rail-roads can’t operate without motive power, and very fewof us could power our pikes by scratchbuilding.On the other hand, conventional wisdom says that asupplier can’t afford to offer a loco for sale unlessthere is a large enough body of modelers out there tobuy up his product. This may be only partly true.One way for a supplier to increase demand is to broadenthe potential uses of his model by offering a "generic”engine which is useful to many modelers for a widerange of eras, locales, and prototype roads.The availability of generic engines has spurred thegrowth of 1:64 modeling. Principal examples includethe USRA steam engine kits from S Scale Loco & Supply,and the diesels from American Models, Overland Models,and Oriental. In Sn3, it all began with the C-16 fromTomalco and PFM — a prototype which was excuseable onalmost any western narrow gauge road.
Curiously, generic engines appropriate to 1900-1935branchline railroading have been lacking in S. This isthe style of railroad which exploded in H0 with theintroduction of the Varney ten-wheeler. 1:64 modelerswho like smaller, older railroad scenes have predictedthe immediate success of any supplier who entered thismarket, and have felt that such engines would be impor-tant to the growth of S.
In theory, such locomotives should be among the mostuniversally useful. Even the largest railroads usedsmall locos for light-duty chores like way freights andswitching small yards and industries. Turn-of—the-century steam engines were widely used until 1950,especially in the small towns and yards which we have
2 Essence
enough space to model.
Omnicon Scale Models is now attempting to meet thisneed with its 2—8—0 and upcoming 4—6-0, but with onlymodest success. Only about 75 Omnicon engines havebeen sold so far, in spite of their excellent quality,price, and operational characteristics.Is it because Dmnicon is new and relatively unknown?Is it because the previous unavailability of smaller,older generic motive power has reduced the potentialsize of this market segment by encouraging us to chooseother, more easily modeled styles of railroads?There may be an additional reason. Consider that 1:64specialty brass imports such as SP Daylights and NYCHudsons seem to enjoy a strong demand. Yet few of ushave a logical reason for incorporating such distinc-tive locomotives into our model scenes. It is quitelikely that many of these specialty engines are sold tocollectors rather than modelers.
Of course, there is a bit of the collector in most ofus. Most of us have at least one engine which doesn’tfit with our railroad’s theme, but we treasure it foremotional reasons. For example, I would love to own anSP Daylight for the pure joy of looking at it.There was speculation in the hobby press a few yearsago that as many as 70% of the imported brass enginesare being collected, traded, and displayed, rather thanbeing operated. Collectors, then, may represent abigger market for our suppliers than we modelers do. Ifso, the market for generic locomotives may remainsmall. Collectors are attracted to models which aredistinctive and unique, and often very large. The moreuniversal or normal a model is, the less interest itmay have for collectors.Suppliers like Charlie Sandersfeld of Omnicon ScaleModels are highly motivated to provide the kind ofimports that large groups of modelers agree they need.But if these models sell slowly, he will also have tobring in specialty models for the collector market inorder to make ends meet.
April 1986 3
Mail Bag The Members
John Bortz wrote a very nice letter to say that the jobof Census Chairman was going to be more than he couldhandle. He wants to provide help and support to thegroup, but does not feel that he can do justice to thisassignment. If another member will lead the censusproject, John will be glad to help on the committee.Any takers? If not, we will “mothball” the idea fornow.
STRETCHING FREIGHT CARS
k1 V,WH,. ,I am in the process of stretching one of American llModels’ 40'foot plug door boxcars to make a 50-foot PFE reefer (See p.36 of Easy to Build flggelBalinese Eceigb: Eats by Kalmbach Book5>- Thismechanical refigerator car has outside braces(Plastruct “T“ sections) which makes it easy tocover up the spliced-in sections. I did not havetwo cars to work with, so I used styrene fillersto extend the sides by one panel each. Ditto thefloor.The roof posed a problem, because I wanted toreproduce the diagonal raised panels. I tryedcutting and fitting styrene to no avail. Here’show I solved the problem:
1. Using clay or play dough, roll out a rectang-ular slab on the work bench, about half thelength of the car and a little bit wider thanthe roof. About 1/2 inch thick is okay.
Goodshellpressedintoclay.
Essence
2. Push the roof of an intact carbody shell(minus the roof walk, of course) down into theclay. This leaves a female impression mold ofthe roof shape in the clay. Carefully removethe shell without disturbing the mold.
3. Your modified carbody shell should have opengaps in the roof near each end. Now invertyour modified shell and gently place it intothe mold. You should be able to look downinto the shell and see the clay impression ofthe roof panel through the hole in the roof.
If your styrene side fillers are cut to theright length (exactly one panel), you can nowlay one end of your stretched shell into themold, exposing one roof panel of the mold tothe inside of the shell. (Are you followingall of this?) -
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4. Mix enough epoxy to fill the cavity in yourroof. Pour it carefully to avoid distortion.Pour enough to fill the cavity and to run overonto the inside of the roof for strength.
5. Let the epoxy harden, and remove the shellfrom the clay. Repeat for the other end ofthe car. With a little sanding and filing,you cannot tell where the splices are.
I just bought some new software for my new Commo~dore 128 computer (Love that Santa!), and as soonas I learn to use it, the catalog project willbegin in earnest. I had not thought about list-ing every item produced by every manufacturer.What a gargantuan project that would be! Rather,
April 1986
just a simple listing of suppliers with theiraddresses and an indication of their productlines. I would like to include those who are nowout of business.
Tom Lennon
(Thanks, Tom, for sharing your construction techniquewith us. This is the kind of practical experience thatbenefits all of us. I think the membership would liketo see as much of this kind of information in Essenceas the editorial staff can get its hands on. Ed.)
BACK ISSUES
4*Many thanks for the back issues of Essence. If '1you need any extra money for them, please let meknow. It really is gratifying to find such awell done publication on S, and by a volunteer atthat! Shades of the old 8 Gauge Herald.
You were right about the cover of the January ’86issue. Roman must be one busy fellow. I’ll haveto write him, and maybe we can share some ideas.
At present , I am seeing Barney Daehler once aweek. His willingness to help out is certain tokeep me going when I hit a snag (This occursquite frequently, unfortunately).My main problem for a long time has been the lackof a good power truck for my trolleys and diesels.Barney has undertaken to modify an Athern/Proto-Power west chassis to power my Locomotive Work—
shop 44-tonner. This chassis is geared for the
6 "h Essence
very slow operation of diesel switchers, and I
felt this would be ideal for my logging line,where my AA-tonner would be working. Do youthink anyone would be interested in some notes onthis project? (You bet! Ed.)
Other projects currently underway are: a scratch—.built trolley freight motor (#6 of the CentralCalifornia Traction Co.) and a scratchbuilt side—door caboose (pg.458 in MR of July ’48).
Aside from the power truck problems, I am tryingto solve the constant lighting marker lightsituation. Next visit to the hobby shop I’ll lookinto HD working markers. They may be oversized,and just right for 8. I’ll let you know.
Manuel Noriega
(I’m glad you are enjoying Essence so far. Rememberthough, it is a group effort. The best parts of everyissue are the articles and letters which members - notthe editor - have taken the trouble to share with therest of us.Several new members have been surprised when they re—ceived back issues of the newsletter. The subscriptionpolicy for Essence is that $7 buys all the issues fromAugust through the following July, no matter whenduring the year you join. New members, then, haven’tmissed what’s been going on. This policy also helpsme, because I don’t have to publish much repetitiousmaterial and I don’t have to keep track of everyone’sexpiration dates separately. Ed.)
April 1986 7
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Don DeNitt, ChairmanMOdlllltlS Module Committee
Recently someone made the statement that there areprobably more Sn3 modelers than 8 standard gaugemodelers. That really surprised me sitting in NewJersey with Sn3 modelers practically non-existant. I’mrelatively new to S (2 years), and I’ve never been toany of the national conventions (That practice ends in1986), so I really have no concept of how many 8 scalemodelers are out there. DOES ANYONE?
Anyway, it would be beneficial for standard and narrowgaugers to work together to promote 8 scale modeling.A larger combined group will convince the manufacturersthat there is a good market in 1:64. Also, more "otherscale" modelers will see the broader range of standardand narrow gauge modeling.So how do we work together? Let’s combine standard andnarrow gauge displays! The S Team is doing just thatwith their.beautiful portable layout, which is section—a1 rather than modular. I hope that any narrow gaugegroups with modules will contact me. However, I’m notsure that there are any Sn3 modules. If there are,please send me information on your construction andelectrical plans.It seems to me that the biggest problem is: how do weinterface narrow gauge modules that have single-trackmainlines with the typical double-track standard gaugemodules? One solution would be to build a "branchline" junction module that brings a single line to aninterface where single—track modules can attach.Then narrow gauge modules can be attached through astandard-to-narrow interchange module attached to the"branch line" junction module. In this way the standardgaugers can run on the circle and narrow gaugers on thebranch line. You then have two focal points for publicviewing. The only drawback to this approach is theadded space requirement, which may be a problem at someshows.
The concept of branch lines is something that has
8 Essence
tremendous versatility fora mixed group (standardand Sn3). One could runstandard gauge on the loopand part of the branch,and Sn3 further down thebranch.
with this in mind, I offeryou a module plan to stim-ulate your imagination.This plan by Mack JamesPierce appeared in the May1971 Model Railroadermagazine (reproduced cour—tesy of Kalmbach Publish-ing Co.). As designed,this plan would be toowide in 8 scale (approxi-mately 43”), but theengine facility could bemoved to other narrowgauge modules further downthe branch.
This plan could be modi-fied for attachment toeither double-track orsingle—track modules atthe station end. One ofthe standard gauge trackscould even be eliminated.Now that you have foodfor thought, let’s hearwhat your ideas are. I’llinclude your ideas infuture columns. You canwrite to me at:
37 Snow DriveMahwah, NJ07430.
April 1986
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(The Central Jersey 8 Scalers have developed a modularspecification for “branch line modules" which have asingle—track, rather than double-track, mainline. Suchmodules have a lot of appeal to those of us who modelbackwoods branchlines, short lines, logging railroads,and narrow gauge.On page 5 of the January Essence you saw an example ofthe way the Central Jersey group combines double—trackcontinuous running with single-track branch operationon one modular layout. Using the branch line conceptfor narrow gauge seems like a very straightforward wayto go. Ed.)
CindersThis is not an April Fools joke, at least I hope not.The President of the Badgerland group received a letterannouncing a new magazine to be called: The 5 GaugeHerald. The previous publisher has sold his rights tothe name. The letter states that a number of formercontributors have agreed to write for the magazine.The new editor was not identified, but Frank Titman’sname was not mentioned. Full details will appear herenext month. Meanwhile, check with your local club; theflyer may have been mailed to all known S gauge clubs.If you belong to the National Society of S Gaugers, youhave already received registration information for the1986 convention in Detroit on July 3-5. If not, writeTom Hawley, Registrar at 2311 Strathmore, Lansing, MI48910. Or show up at the Novi Hilton near the DetroitMetropolitan Airport.There will be an 8 Scale get-together at the NMRAnational convention in Boston. Hope to see you there.
New MembersN. Ferguson
112 Meighen AvenueToronto, OntarioCanada
10 Essence
‘4.
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Coordinator’s corner Ken MackenzieCoordinator
A PRECEDENT IS SET
Last August I wrote to Bill Becker, NMRA Secretary, tonotify him of the formation of the SSSIG. I explainedthat members of the group would all be NMRA members sothat the 88816 would be clearly a subordinate subgroupof the NMRA, rather than loosely affiliated with it.I asked the NMRA Board of Trustees to grant permissionfor us to call our group ”NMRA 8 Scale SIG", and thatwe be notified of any additional requirements which ourgroup should fulfill to obtain and maintain full NMRA
recognition and support.I have just received a letter from Bill stating thatthe Board of Trustees met recently and acted favorablyon our request. The text of the motion was as follows:
"MCR Trustee Riley moves at the request of theSecretary that any Special Interest Group thatrequires NMRA membership as a condition of BIGmembership be allowed to use the trademark, name,initials and logo of the NMRA in their SIG nameand/or on their published material."
This motion not only grants our request, but it readslike a sweeping invitation to other future 5165 toorganize and operate along similar lines. I’m not surewhether other 8165 will form within the NMRA as we havedone, but the door is now wide open for them to do so.
For the past year or so, the NMRA Bulletin has publish-ed letters and editorials which reflect the ambivalentattitudes which NMRA officials have towards the other5165 because of the amorphous ”affiliate“ relationshipsthose groups have with the NMRA. This matter willprobably be ”cussed and discussed” for years to come.
But the status of our group is very clear.The NMRA 8 Scale SIG is in.
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