B & F Hobby's MISCELLANEOUS Web Links, 

Tutorials, Pictures and Other Information

Left Coast HOn30 

and the 2004 National Narrow Gauge Convention

Many of the members of the Left Coast group attended the 2004 National Narrow Gauge Convention in Santa Clara, California.   The convention was held from September 1-4, 2004.  The Left Coast group had 28 modules assembled, including one "inside" corner to build an "L" shaped display. 

 Left Coast members started arriving at the convention center at 8:00am and soon the loading dock was covered in modules.  The unloading, hauling and assembling the modules was reminiscent of a well organized MASH unit.  Had all of the modules been present, we would have been up and operating in less than 3 hours.  Unfortunately, two of the modules were packed in a truck, along with items belonging to many others [not in the LC group] attending the show and these needed to be unloaded first.

Once the modules were assembled, electrical connections made and joiner sections added, it was time for testing the track.  The first loco circled the layout around 3:00pm and we were ready to go.  Now that we had the modules assembled, everyone took time to look at each other's modules.

The new modules in attendance were built by Bert Greeley [Wharf Module], Al Sandrini [Wharf Module #1,   Wharf Module #2,   Wharf Module #3, which was attached to his Industrial Module ], Steve Wesolowski [Timesaver switching Module], Keith Wandry [Inside Corner Module] and Bob Hayden's new module attached to his Baker's Crossing Module with something added.

Other modules, which have appeared previously were the two from Roberto Lombardi [Wharf Module #1,   Wharf Module #2,   Depot/Engine Facility Module], Siles Bazerman [Mining Module], Bill Wilbanks [California Oil Field Module  with a nicely detailed Oilfield Supply House and California Desert Module], Tom Osterdock [Two Logging Modules], Anne Ogborn [Zoo Module] and Keith Wandry's [Swamp Corner Module,   Church/Cemetery Corner Module and his Depot Module.

If anyone has photos of any of the modules which I did not include links above, would you please send them to me so I may include them in this review of the convention.

The next scheduled set up for the Left Coast members will be on January 15/16 at the annual Bakersfield Train Show at the Kern County Fairgrounds in Bakersfield, CA.   For more information on the LC group or the Bakersfield trains show, please contact Al Sandrini at mrbnf@pacbell.net.

WHO AM I,

WHAT IS B & F HOBBY SHOP

HOME LAYOUT PHOTOS

Updated on 3/28/2003

(New Information in Italics)

The "Dixie Creek Central"

The Concept 

     The basic design for construction of the railroad was based on a track plan from Kalmbach's "101 Track Plans".  The plan is called the "Laguna Plata" and is plan #34.  The track plan was designed for HO standard gauge, using 15" radius curves and fit in a 4' x 8' area.  I figured  that an HOn30 railroad of the same design would fit in a 3' x 7' area, I made some changes and started drawing on the benchwork to get the final track alignment before cutting out the plywood to form the sub roadbed.  (See Track Plan, Photo 1).

     Once the basic roadbed was cut out and risers were attached to establish the grade, the next chore was getting the scenery to fit the track work.  It was at this time that I decided that a single loop helix would be necessary on each side of the railroad to keep the grades at a minimum and to get the 17" separation on the double decked shelves that were going to be attached to the main body of the railroad.  The vertical separation of tracks made for some very vertical and interesting  scenery.   (Photo 2) (Photo 3).  Once the track work, electrical, and scenery were completed, the scenes looked much different (Photo 4) (Photo 5).

Finding a Name for the Railroad 

     The name Dixie Creek came from a photo which was circulated around the HOn30 web site  and I think that Keith Pashina was responsible for the naming of the mine "The Dixie Cup Mine". Check the photo and see why (Photo 6).   The name "Dixie" had a good sound and Dixie Cup be came Dixie Creek.  I considered the name "Dixie Creek Central" for almost two years, but wondered about the name 'Central' as part of the name.  I had never been familiar with any railroad which wasn't central to a state (Maine Central, Penn Central, NY Central, etc.).  A couple of months ago, Model Railroader had an article called the Turtle Creek Central.  Well, if "MR" could have a railroad central to a creek, well certainly I could do the same.  Besides, the name just sounds good.

Red Mountain Mine Problem

     The Dixie Creek Mine is Campbell's "Red Mountain Mine", mounted on top of a set of Classic Miniatures "Virginia City Ore Bins".   The impulse to combine the two kits came after seeing some photos of Tom Troughton's Sn3 layout, which were posted on the HOn3 list (Photo 6A).   I didn't have the original photo, which had inspired the "Dixie Cup Mine":, but Tom Troughton was kind enough to take new pictures of the mine and send them to me.  The mine is the Cimarron Mine, which was built and photographed by Tom Troughton, MMR #277,  Not only was the mine an inspiration for my scene, but was the inspiration for the Banta model of the Cimarron Mine which was released in several different scales.  Thank you Tom.

A Ride from Clear Creek to the Sawmill

     Come on for a ride behind old F&C #1 as she hauls a load of logs to the mill.  Old #1 rolls into Clear Creek (Photo 7) with a string of log cars in tow [C&S Manufacturing kit].  After the Caboose  [Joe Works kit] clears the turnout (Photo 8), the conductor gets the orders from the dispatcher before departing for the mill (Photo 9).   The train drifts down through the high meadow (Photo 10) and approaches the junction with the branch to the high mining country (see "High Mining Country" photos below).  The train swings around a large rock dome, heads towards the highest bridge spanning the Dixie Creek Gorge (Photo 11).    As the engineer crosses the bridge, he can check the siding at the Dixie Creek Mine to see if there is an "Up Train" in the hole waiting for a meet at the Dixie Creek  "Mine Siding" (Photo 12).

     The log train emerges from the tunnel and heads into the mine siding and checks with the dispatcher to see if he is clear to "Twin Oak Siding".  Once he has clearance, the train starts across Dixie Creek  and heads into the tunnel which hides the lower helix before emerging above my workbench (Photo 13).  Once out of the tunnel, the track curves around the rocky cliff and crosses the last bridge before arriving at Twin Oak Siding (Photo 14).  Twin Oak siding has a small service facility for servicing the locomotives which shuttle the cars to the ore concentrator area of the layout.   Once the engineer has clearance to proceed, he heads down grade towards the sawmill.  As the train crosses the lower creek crossing, it rounds a curve and heads into a tunnel in the transition area before popping out in the sawmill town.  

Sawyer

     The sawmill town is being constructed as an operating shadowbox beneath the upper mining district (Photo 15).  To hide the connection between the mountains of the transition and the foothill scenery of Sawyer, the shadowbox is being built inside of a curved backdrop of .040" styrene plastic.  Sawyer is built on an 18" x 56" shelf and has a complete engine facility (Photo 16), depot, sawmill, log pond and a few trackside businesses to which take delivery by rail.  The turntable is an E-R Models - Peco N scale table which makes a great HOn30 table.  The engine house is a Fine Scale Miniatures "Logging Repair Shed"  (Photo 17) and the sawmill is going to be a scratchbuilt,  3/4 sized Keystone "Double Bandsaw Mill".  The mill will be built so that it attaches facing away from the isle and against the backdrop.  Only the first 3"-4"  of the front of the mill will be modeled as the rest will be disguised by the fascia and the backdrop   (See mock up, (Photo 18).

Upper Mining District

     The upper mining district is located in a canyon directly above Sawyer.  The branch departs the mainline a stone's throw from Clear Creek and heads upgrade across the transition area (Photo 19) and into a tunnel (Photo 20) which hides the joint between the upper and lower shelves of the double deck portion of the layout.  The transition area is very rugged as seen in the accompanying photo (Photo 21). As the train emerges from the tunnel, it passes through a stand of Aspens before crossing Clear Creek bridge and heading into the mining siding (Photo 22).   The main line appears to pass through the mining canyon and disappear behind a rock wall in into a tunnel built against the side wall of the layout room.  Only part of the portal is visible from the isle and the inside of the portal is painted black to look as if it continues to another mining district beyond the canyon.  

     The largest mine in the canyon is the "Lostma Mine" (Photo 23) built from a Campbell's "Silver Spur Mine" and the smaller mine, "S. Awl Mine",   was built from Campbell's "Idaho Springs Mine" kit (Photo 24).  There are a few scratchbuilt structures, which serve as supply sheds, blacksmith's shop and a tool shop scattered through out the area.

     The makes the mining district unique is that the fascia forms the high side of the near wall of the canyon (Photo 25), with the slope going towards the track.  The other side of the canyon is formed with the walls going up against the rear backdrop.  The only way to see the trains in the canyon is through a depression in the fascia.  You see the trains at eye level and the image looks as if you are standing on the side of the tracks in the canyon.

Remodeling the Upper Mining Branch

      After completing the Upper Mining Branch, I didn't like the color I had selected to use as the main color for the rocks and dirt.  As you saw in photos 23-25, the red tinted colors suggest a large deposit of iron ore.  While the contrast between the gray rock of the other parts of the railroad and the red color of the mining district do exist in certain areas, the colors contrasted too much for such a small area.  

     In January of 2002, I bit the bullet and removed all the red.  It was a large job but it needed to be done.  I scrubbed all the scenery with a wire brush to loosen up the dirt and other ground cover; vacuumed up the debris, painted all of the red rock with a wash of Floquil's Poly S paints to match the rock color used on the other parts of the railroad, added brown dirt and green ground cover and completed the area by adding several trees.  The area looks much softer and a more compatible scene was created.  View photo 23 again, then view photo Photo 26 and  Photo 27 to see the new look.

The Woods (Log Loading Area)

     The woods area (See Track Plan, Photo 1) is located on an upper shelf, which will have the ore processing area below.  Because of the size of the structures in the ore processing area, the shelf needed to be higher to prevent one's eyes from being distracted by the upper deck when viewing the lower level.  The room has a window air conditioner mounted near the ceiling of the room, over the log loading area and the height of the trees in the "forest" would have to be minimized in front of the AC unit.  This was not an option as this area needs to stocked with full growth trees.

     Like the time spent trying to find the correct solution to the color problems in the mining area, finding the solution to the "forest area" took a long time.  The answer appeared when I started looking for a way to connect some track work to provide me with a continuous run area for breaking in locomotives.  There was no possible way to do this on the lower level as a duck under would never again be one of my options (I have been there and done that;  when I was young enough to do so and my friends were not as young and were not able to do so).

     The answer was to complete a loop on the upper level through the use of a "stoop" under.  The bottom of the benchwork across the doorway would be approximately 60" above the floor and would be easily accessible.  By crossing the doorway, the forest and log loading area could be moved to the area to the right side of the door (see track plan) and a view block would be inserted between the mine area and the end of the log loading area.  By crossing the track from the mine area, through the view block and into the log loading area, a loco could run continuously around the upper level of the railroad.

     I am in the process of building the new benchwork across the doorway at this time and reducing the width of the upper benchwork over the ore processing area.  Once the upper level benchwork is completed, the remaining construction of the railroad should go rather quickly.

(Photos to  be added when completed)

Ore Processing Area (Mill Site)

     The ore processing area has been awaiting the cure to the logging area to be completed.  As you read in the previous section, the cure has been discovered and as soon as the new benchwork is completed, the two sections can be quickly completed.

(Photos to  be added when completed)

STORE PHOTOS

Our Most Important Department Photo

      B & F Hobbies realizes that in order for modelers to have enough time to see everything we have in the shop.  We found it necessary to provide Creature Comforts for the wives of our modelers.  Many years ago, I realized that if the wives were comfortable, they would allow their husbands to shop longer.  I learned this while sitting on a hard stool outside of a dressing room in a ladies clothing department, while my wife was shopping.  Unfortunately, I never found the TV set and chest of cold Budweiser beer, as shown in the TV commercials.    

Railroad Department Photos

     B & F Stocks model railroad products in many different scales and gauges.  In our large scale department we stock both O gauge (Lionel & MTH Trains) and G gauge (LGB-1 LGB-2) starter sets, locomotives, freight and passenger cars, track, and accessories.  The largest portion of our railroad sales is in our HO scale department.  A full stock of detail pats for locomotives and freight cars, structures and scenery items from Woodland Scenics compliment the starter sets, track, loco's and cars in this department.

     B & F also has a good Narrow Gauge stock.  We have been specializing in HOn30 for the past three years and have many interesting items for those interested in running trains gauges of 3' or less.    

     We also have a large in-store layout featuring many of the items which we have for sale.  Click on the following links to see pictures of this layout.  Sawmill,  Engine House, Icing Platform, Logging Repair Shed, Mine, Wood Trestle, and the youngster's favorite,  Paul Bunyon and Babe the Blue Ox in front of the logging area (read the sign).

Aircraft Department Photos

    has an extensive R/C Airplane Department.  We stock stock all the Building Supplies  one would need to build, cover, paint and complete any type of R/C plane.   

Rocket Department Photos

      B & F Hobbies stocks both Estes and Aerotech model rockets and motors.  Estes provides great entry level rockets for rocketry enthusiasts of any age, while Aerotech provides the challenge for adults wanting to build rockets which can achieve altitudes of several thousand feet.  Estes rockets are available in starter kits, which contain the rocket, rocket motors, launch stand and launch controllers for prices less than $20.00 

Airbrush Department Photos

     B & F Hobbies stocks Airbrushes and Compressors from Badger, Paasche and Testors.  The most popular airbrush on the market today is the Aztek A4709 bush and their new metal bodied version of this brush, the Aztek A7778.  We have many compressors available to use with our airbrushes, ranging from $89.99 to $349.99.  

 NEW ENGLAND MODULE PHOTOS

2002 National Narrow Gauge Convention Photos

     The following photos were taken by on of the HOn30 modelers at the 2002 National Narrow Gauge Convention in Warwick, Rhode Island.  Many thanks to whom ever the photographer was,  for providing the photos and the link. 

2002 National Narrow Gauge Convention HOn30 Photos

LEFT COAST MODULE PHOTOS

2001 National Narrow Gauge Convention Photos

     The following photos were taken by Pat Turner at the 2001 National Narrow Gauge Convention in Salt Lake City, Utah.  Many thanks to Pat for providing the photos and the link.  I would also like to thank Ray Montgomery for putting Pat and I together to get this link posted with captions.

2001 National Narrow Gauge Convention HOn30 Photos

Left Coast Modules at the 2002

 Bakersfield Train Show

by Roberto Lombardi

HOn30 (or HOn2-1/2) is alive and well.  The photos below were taken at the HOn30 Left Coast Group Meet at  Bakersfield's recent Golden Empire Model Railroad Club's Train Show.   Our member's interests are quite varied, including representations of many different two foot and 30 inch narrow gauge railroads,  including mining,  logging,  Maine Two Foot,  Plantation,  even a narrow gauge zoo railroad.

HOn30 Modules at Bakersfield's 2002 Train Show

Ken Lunder's HOn30 Module Photos

by Ken Lunders

Ken Lunders has built a beautiful HOn30 module.    The following photos show many images of the module.  Ken is going to build a new module and this one is for sale.     Observe the fine work and craftsmanship used to build, not only the module, but the structures and scenery. The photos were taken by Ken Lunders;  the module and all the structures were built by Ken Lunders.

Ken Lunders HOn30 Module Photos

Bob Hayden's Baker Creek Module

     I do not know the name of the person that took this picture.  It was provided by the 2001 National Narrow Gauge Convention's official photographer.  The photo appeared in a photographical summery of the convention.  I would like to thank whom ever is responsible for the photo and for posting it on the web.  If someone would contact me directly, I would be pleased to post their name as the owner of this picture.

Bob Hayden's Baker Creek Module Photo

PCR Meet, San Luis Obispo, California Photos

Photographs by Many LC Members

     The following photos were taken by many of the members of the Left Coast HOn30 Modular Group.  Names of the photographer's are shown with the photos

2001 PCR Mini-Convention, San Luis Obispo, CA Photos

HOn30 Modeler Down on His Luck

by Keith Glaab

Have you ever seen how sad someone is when they have lost their pet.  Here is a picture of an HOn30 modeler that has lost his dog.    (I think it was a Sango Dachshund).  He got outbid on eBay.  A big thank you for Keith Glaab for taking this picture of Roberto Lombardi,   as he shuffles down the street looking for the lost trackage of the South Pacific Coast Railway in Santa Maria, California.

Man Without a Dog

Priceless Model Trains

KITBASHED LOCO'S, FREIGHT & PASSENGER EQUIPMENT

By Tom Price

[Tom Price has built some wonderful kitbashed models.   Many of you may have seen some of these listed on eBay and wondered who the builder was as none of the cars and locomotives are familiar.  Tom has a great imagination and is able to built these items which he create in his mind.  Al ]

I have had some requests for locos and cars which Tom has previously built.  A basic cost would be $40.00 for the freight cars and $250.00 for the locomotives.  There could be some unusual circumstances in which the price may differ.  

• Cars come painted, lettered, weathered and include MicroTrain trucks and couplers.  

• Locomotives come detailed, painted, weathered, decaled and have MicroTrain couplers added.

Photo 1 --   This is a little DIESEL ENGINE, which I built for a customer using an atlas chassis.  The cab and hood were parts of a 70-tonner diesel.   I painted and made the decals for his private railroad name.  This locomotive had full interior details with the rear door opened so that you could view inside.  It was also equipped with constant lighting and Micro-train couplers.   It was heavily weathered like he wanted.  I believe this locomotive will be in this year’s model railroader magazine as his layout is supposed to be featured.

Photo 2  --  This ORE CAR was made for the same customer as photo 1.  I used an Atlas ore car with some modifications.  It is heavily weathered and in has Micro-Train couplers.

Photo 3  --  This TANK [WATER] CAR was also made for the same customer as photo 1.   It is completely scratch built using scale wood and plastic.  I used Micro-trains arch bar trucks and couplers.  I also made the decals used on it.  It is heavily weathered with chalk.

Photo 4  --   This is a BOXCAR, which I make using my own molds that I cast using resin.  It has arch bar truck and Micro-Train couplers.  It includes Grandt Line detail parts and the decals I made myself.

Photo 5  --   This TANK CAR is basically the same as the wood tank car except I used a cast water tank on it.  The other details on the car are my own castings..  The car has arch bar truck and Micro-Train couplers.  It is weathered with chalk.

Photo 6  --  This is the same BOXCAR as in photo 4 except it shows some of my own graphics for the decals I made.

Photo 7  --  This TANK CAR was made using my own castings and scale wood.  It has arch bar trucks, Micro-Train couplers and Grandt Line details. I weathered the car using chalk and these are my own decals.  The tank was made using my own castings.

Photo 8  --  I have sold quite a few of these CABOOSEs.  It is made with scale wood and plastic using Grandt Line castings.  I used brass wire for the handrails, arch bar trucks and Micro-train couplers.  This is another example of my decals.

Photo 9  --  this is a LARGE CLIMAX that I made using a Life Like GP chassis.  It is complete scratch built using scale wood, plastic, my own castings and Cal- Scale castings.  It has Micro-Train couplers and is heavily weathered with chalk.

Photo 10  --  This 0-6-0 SADDLE TANK LOCOMOTIVES was one of my latest endeavors.  It is a scratch built locomotive using an Atlas chassis with the motor removed.  By doing this it has complete interior and by using a boxcar made over a GP chassis that pushes it is a very smooth runner. It is made using brass, plastic, my own castings, and Cal- Scale castings.  It is heavily weathered using chalk.  Building a boxcar over a GP frame makes the pusher a smooth source of power for an unpowered loco.   Since in Hon30 the over hang is so much it is hard to tell that it is a loco frame.

Photo 11  --   This is a completely scratch built LOGGING CABOOSE.  It is made from plastic and uses Grandt Line castings, Micro-Train arch bar truck and coupler.  The handrails are brass wire and it has a tar paper roof.  The other details are made by me.

Photo 12  --  This is one of two MAINTENANCE OF WAY CARS [DORM] I built a couple of years ago.  Its completely scratch built using plastic and Grandt Line castings, Micro-Trains arch bar trucks and couplers.  It was painted silver and I made the decals.  It has brass wire handrails and grab irons.  The trucks were weathered using chalk

Photo 13  --  This is a little GOOSE that I make using a Bachmann chassis.  The complete goose is scratch built including the cab and boxcar body.  The doors are my own castings.  The other details are Grandt Line.  It has MV Lenses for headlights.

Photo 14  --  This is a FLAT CAR that is scratch built using scale wood, arch bar trucks, Micro-Train couplers, and Grandt Line castings.  It is weathered using chalk.  The load is a scratch built donkey of mine.

Photo 15  --  This is a custom DIESEL I made for a customer in Dallas with his own private road name.  It is made using a SW chassis, Detail west castings, brass wire handrails, Cal-Scale castings and a chopped up 70-tonner diesel.  It has constant lighting.

Photo 16  --  This is the second MAINTENANCE OF WAY CAR [WORK CAR] I built.  See photo #12 for the description.

Photo 17  --  This is a SMALL CLIMAX that I scratch built over a SW Chassis.  I was made using scale wood, plastic, Grandt Line castings, Cal-Scale castings, my own castings, and is weathered with chalk.

Photo 18  --  This is a LARGE CLIMAX that I scratch built over a GP chassis.  I was made using scale wood, plastic, Grandt Line castings, Cal-Scale castings my own castings and is weathered with chalk.

Photo 19  --  These ORE CARS are completely scratch built.  It was quite a difficult task and one I won’t try again unless I can build some kind of a jig for construction.  They are made using scale wood for the frame and plastic for the bodies.  I used arch bar trucks, Micro-Train couplers and Grandt Line castings.  The bottom latches were made by hand.  They are heavily weathered with chalk.

Photo 20  --  See photo #8 for description.

Photo 21  --  This is a CENTER CAR DIESEL made using a couple of chopped up Bachmann 70 ton diesels.  It is built over a GP chassis.  It has constant lighting. I used Detail West castings and brass wire for handrails.

Photo 22  --  This is another one of those projects I won’t do again.  This is a completely scratch built cattle car.  Each piece of slat was individually applied, took me forever.  It has arch bar couplers, Micro-Train couplers, and Grandt Line casting.  It is weathered with chalk.

Photo 23  --  This is a scratchbuilt TEE BOILER DUNKIRK, built over a GP chassis.  It is made using brass, plastic, scale wood, Cal-Scale castings, and my own castings and Grandt Line castings.  It has window glaze and Micro-Train couplers.  It also has coupler lift bars and air hoses.  It is weathered using chalk.

Photo 24  --  This is a little PORTER locomotive, which I built using an Atlas 0-6-0 locomotive.  I used my own casting, Cal-Scale castings, and Grandt Line castings.  It is a fair runner, not one of the best because of its weight and the electrical pickup.

Photo 25  --  This is a scratch built SKELETON LOG CAR using scale wood, arch bar trucks, Micro-Train couplers and Grandt Line castings.  The log is a grapevine.  It is weathered with black ink and chalk.

Photo 26  --  This is a scratch built TOOL CAR that I make using scale wood and Campbell tin roofing.  The building is made with scale 2X4’s.  All of the detail parts are my own castings.  It has arch bar trucks and Micro-Train couplers.  I weathered it using chalk.

Photo 27  --  This is a little scratch built DERRICK CAR that I make.  It has scale wood, arch bar trucks, Micro-Train couplers and Grandt Line nut and bolt castings and brake wheel.  All of the other details are my own castings.  I used Campbell scale tin roofing.  It is weathered using chalk.

Photo 29  --  This is a GONDOLA CAR that I build using a commercial N-scale gondola and chopping it up to widen it.  I then put in a wood deck and wood ends. I use Grandt Line castings.  It is heavily weathered using chalk.

Photo 30  --  This is a scratch built RAIL CAR using an N scale trolley chassis.  I used plastic scribed siding and wood to build it.  The doors and windows are Grandt Line castings.  It has a Detail West bell.  The handrails are brass wire.

WEB LINKS 

HOn30 Home Depot

     The HOn30 Home Depot provides a mailing list for HOn30 modelers to exchange information and ideas pertaining to HOn30 modeling.  Besides the mailing list, the Home Depot has sections that pertain to References, Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's), Articles, Links to HOn30 module groups, suppliers and more.  

Visit the HOn30 Home Depot

Ron Halma's Netherlands Website

   Welcome on the homepage of Team USA Metusa Junction. This team is erected by Ronald Halma from the Netherlands. He is the builder of Metusa Junction, a American so-called switching layout , specially build for exhibitions. It is build with the Southern Pacific in mind. More info about this layout on these pages. 
   At this moment the team is formed by builder Ronald and his father Johan, who helps out on the many exhibitions. In the future we hope on 1 or 2 persons more, to continue with other projects that will show other American styled layouts. 
   This year, 2002, the team will be present on a few train shows, look for the data under the button "shows". Click on the button "Sound news" for the latest on my RS4 project.....
   Have fun!!!

Ronald Halma Metusa Layout Link: http://www.ronaldhalma.tk

2' Prototype Railroad Photo Album

by Keith Wandry

     The following links were provided by Keith Wandry

Keith's Photo Album

Anne's Zoo Module and More

by Anne Ogborn

Anne is a great modeler, possessing a vast assortment of modeling  skills.  On her module, she has incorporated the use of a mill, a Alps printer, casting techniques; as well as all of the everyday modeling skills that one would use in model railroad construction.  The conservatory on her module is absolutely breath taking.  Take a look.  

Anne Ogborn's Site

Australian Narrow Gauge Web Exhibition

by John Dennis

The Australian Narrow Gauge Web Exhibition,  which showcases some of the best Narrow Gauge layouts in Australia. Currently there is a mix from Nn3 up to 3/8n20 (or thereabouts) but the most common is On30 at the moment.

Australian Narrow Gauge Website

Chivers Finelines

     Chivers Finelines, of Preston Lancs, England;  produces conversion kits to produce HOn30 locomotives by using mechanisms from N scale locomotives.  The boilers of N scale steam locomotives are replaced with white metal boilers and the cabs are replaced cabs constructed from brass etchings.  Chivers produces the following types of locos:  0-4-4T Forney, 2-4-4T Forney (long and short versions), 2-6-2 Prarie, 0-4-0T Baldwin (side door and open end versions), 0-4-0 Davenport and several European types.  They also make a resin kit for a WW&F RPO/Combine. WW&F Coach, an Argent Lumber Company water tank and several other trackside detail parts.

Chivers Finelines Website

Dutton Bay Tramway

by John Dennis

The Dutton Bay Tramway site describes my freelanced HOn30 layout set in South Australia in the 1970s. It's a "modern image" layout, with diesels providing the power. Main goods carried is gypsum and salt.

Dutton Bay Tramway Website

Keith Glaab's Homepage

by Keith Glaab

Keith's pages consist of photo's of fellow Left Coast HOn30 modules, meets, and friends.  He also shares pictures his module, Arizona, his home state; as well as links to streetcars, CANDY!, and Koppel Railroad equipment.  Keith also provides links to other HOn30 sites as well.

Keith's Homepage

Martin Fisher's Websites

by Martin Fisher

Martin provides you with links to his layout photos,  track plans and several other links to other European websites.

Martin Fisher's Website

Pacific Coast & Inland

by Ken Lunders

(Text to follow)

Pacific Coast & Inland

Cimarron & Tall Timber

by Tom Troughton

    Tom Troughton has modeled a free-lanced D&RGW area,  called the Cimarron Division, which features a helper engine facility located in the community of Tall Timbers,  CO.    Its prime function is to provide helper service for trains climbing the 3% grade over Cimarron Pass.  The facility features a two stall engine house, coaling tower, one storage track and a car repair shed with its associated blacksmith shop.

Cimarron & Tall Timber Layout Tour

TUTORIALS

Converting Atlas's 70 Ton Ore Cars

Into HOn30 Ore Cars

By Al Sandrini. An HOn30 Home Depot Link

The following construction article is posted on the HOn30 Home Depot's "Building Tips Collected from the List" section.  It has appeared on the HOn30 list previously and I thank Jorgan for posting it on the "Home Page".  The article details the conversion of an Atlas's 70 ton ore car into a home built wood sided ore car.  There is no prototype for this car, but it looks great in a string of 6-8 cars behind a geared mining locomotive.  

Building HOn30 Ore Cars

HOn30 Disconnect Log Cars

and Broughton Vale Tramway
By Professor Klyzlr. An HOn30 Home Depot Link

Professor Klyzlr has been showing his talent at many of Australia's model railroad shows.    His  Broughton Vale Tramway  has been viewed by many and looks to be much larger than it's actual size because of the exquisite detail presented.   The Good Professor has come up with a tutorial on construction something that has been missing in HOn30 until now:  Disconnect Log Cars.  These are a must have for any small "period" logging railroad. I hope these little cars can help you get that lumber out of the woods.

Disconnect Log Car Construction

Broughton Vale Tramway 

Re-motoring the Minitrain Plymouth

by Al Sandrini

     I have written a tutorial on installing a Mashima motor into the AHM Minitrain Plymouth locomotive.  At this time, the tutorial is without pictures, but these will be added very soon.  The installation is very easy and only needs a few common hobby tools.

Re-motoring Minitrain's Plymouth

Shay Superstructures on Diesel Locomotives

By Keith Pashina. An HOn30 Home Depot Link

Keith Pashina has been modeling the Gilpin Tramway for many years.  On the Gilpin, there were many small two truck shays.  The Gilpin could not possibly be modeled without Shays.  In HOn30, there were only a few choices for Shays; the Joe Works Shay, the Keystone Shay, and to scratch build a Shay superstructure and mount it on a diesel chassis.  Brick Price made a faux Shay which would accomplish this, and Keith Pashina has managed to do his own castings to create his own Shay Locomotive.  A third choice now is available in kit or RTR as Cliff Darrow has released his two truck Shay.

Keith Pashina's Kitbashed Shay Tutorial