Page 3 - July August 1998

CUPOLA ...FROM THE EDITOR
Some of the early brass models boast manufacturers still within memory, if not actually in existence - Olympia, for exam- ple, often in association with Gem. An outfit called International was active, and of course Akane, some of whose later products are much more in accordance with modern brass.
However, among the better-looking of these models, there is certainly the possi- bility of obtaining useful, unusual, and often cheap, power for small railroads - in fact, just the type of roster that often finds favour amongst modellers, especially those with limited space. It is not too hard to fit a newer motor - a small can, or even a more modern open type, will improve performance greatly, as will better gears. Don’t forget though that these models lack many features now taken for granted; they usually have no brakes, no bearings, no springs, and fairly crude details and valve gear, if any. But it does seem sad that these ageing stalwarts should have to live out their remaining years in shoe boxes. It is quite good fun to strip them down for a good clean-up, some small adjustments, and then see them (and hear them!) rumble off down the track again. Perhaps you might have one or two doing nothing, that would make useful Region raffle prizes?? All in a good cause!
Dunkin’ Decals...
Amtrak have invented the ultimate in instant paint schemes - the giant decal. Called “car wrapping”, they seem to have devised a form of advertising that involves an entire Amfleet car being wrapped in a decorative flexible film with openings (or transparent areas maybe) for the win- dows. Logos and slogans are located on appropriate parts of the car. “Thinks” - great way to finish a model. Buy one undec. Geep and a single one-piece, all embracing Microscale decal of the paint scheme, lining and lettering. Soak the lat- ter off onto the former. Pour a litre of Solvaset into Tupperware-type foodbox. Dunk loco in same. Dry. Chuck away, get another engine and do the job properly. (Well, it might work one day.)
Martin Boyask
There is an intriguing band of HO model locos that I run across occasionally. They form a kind of underclass of modest machinery, living out their twilight years in the shadow of the superb models of more modern times.
This dwindling species often inhabits non- descript, unmarked cardboard boxes, fur- nished with old corrugated cardboard and bubble pack. Alternatively they may have hi-jacked the original home of a similar, but different, contemporary. This makes identification even more difficult (I’d
sooner have no information than
wrong information!)
The locos are almost always steam out- line, small, and old-fashioned. They hail from logging roads, shortlines, industrials or are just plain freelance. They are often tank types, Forneys, that kind of thing, and are generally very early brass or heavy die-castings. They seem to date from the late 1940’s through the 1950’s, and some might even correspond to the theme of my last editorial, namely locos that mod- ellers picked up many years ago and can- not bear to part with!
The die-cast locos sometimes look as if they have been carved out of a solid lump of zamac, using a cold chisel and mallet. Over-scale rivets march in profusion across solid panelling reminiscent of Armoured Fighting Vehicles.
The brass locos are often little better, and occasionally appear to have been early kits, put together by the two-left-thumb tribe. Motors that might have been wound by Edison himself draw enough current to light a small town, while pro- ducing little worthwhile power due to age, indifferent design, and rough trans- mission systems.
I don’t know whether to look on these creations as nostalgic reminders of progress (they weren’t toys or “tinplate” - they were the scale models of their day) or as frustrating exercises in getting rea- sonable performance out of reluctant pensioners. I have no idea if any are collectors’ items - they usually seem nowadays to be considered junk bas- ket cases, and often only come to light, sadly, as estate sales.
I remember first coming across a num- ber of these creatures at the home of an elderly retired judge I stayed with in Florida, in 1982. Some of the models still had their yellowing invoices - dated 1949! These locos were heavy, die-cast ten-wheelers, but I never got to see them run. Later I owned an unusually large and “modern” loco of this ilk, a (supposed) USRA heavy Mountain, made by “New One Model” (?) of Japan. Though only roughly to scale, it was a strong, hardworking loco for sev- eral years on my layouts, but was passed on later as incompatible with the rest of the roster.
DATATRAIN
...is a database of magazine references which will assist you in your modelling projects.
For more information call...
JYM PHILLIPS on 01225 709032
ROUNDHOUSE AUGUST1998
CONSIST...
CUPOLA 3 PRESIDENT’S CAR 4 TNKYNC ...A MID EAST VISIT 5 Vernon Stone
GREAT AMERICAN TRAIN SHOW 6
Neil Henry
‘O’ SCALE CORNER 7
Lawson Little
BEANERY 7 UNCOUPLED CARS 8 TIMETABLE 9 PUMPKINS IN PARADISE 10 Jane Lee
OUT & ABOUT 12
CONVENTION BOOKING 13
HEY THERE! Info from John Hey 14
MEEK’S MEETS 14
Geoff Meek
THORN TREE FLATS #2 16
Tom Winlow
REGISTRAR NEWS 20
RAILROAD REVIEW 21
CONSTRUCTORS' CORNER 22
Baseboards I have known • If it ain’t broke, don’t replace it • Organ Transplant
• A “word” on Bugboards
CONTEST ENTRY CLASSES 23
Les Herriot
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