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side offset cupola Cabooses. Trailers, other loads and many accessories are available.
Lionel – American Flyer is only available in Hi-Rail versions, but some have been reworked privately for scale use and old Gilbert manufactured Locos still are offered. Lionel production included a highly admired UP 4-6-6-4 and a N&W 2-8-8-2 as well as the famous 2-8-4 Polar Express Loco all ripe for extra detailing.
MTH is now offering a highly detailed range based on the previous SHS range of Locos and freight cars. Their EMD F3 A&B is based on the SHS F7. Hopefully the EMD SW series will follow and the 2-8-0 small Baldwin would be a very welcome return. The existing range of Freight Cars include 40’ Wood-side Reefer, Flat Car with Trailers, PS2 Covered Hoppers and 70-ton Ore Cars.
In brass the batch sizes are very short with pre-ordering necessary when projects are proposed. River Raisin Models seems to be the principal importer with availability variable from USA Dealers.
Photo 7 Brooks Stover photo of his Bachmann On30 Climax converted to S Hi-Rail and Super-detailed AM Pacific, Track is AM “Universal” flexible
Scenery, Structures and Accessories
Scenic detailing an S layout uses the same techniques as for all scales. Trees sold for HO will simply represent a smaller tree in S. Ballast sold for HO/OO will be finer in S, perhaps more realistic? A 6’ figure in OO will be 5’ in S. Most manufacturers of laser cut building kits have S-scale versions. Structures from other scales can be adapted provided that the sense of scale is adjusted, doors and ladders are the most obvious problems. Careful use of HO structures in background situations can be useful as a means of increasing the apparent depth of a layout. It should be noted that the Bachmann “Plasticville” range, ostensibly O-scale, are in fact nearer S-scale! Most are a bit toy like but the Coaling Stage for example makes up to an imposing model and could be kit bashed for, say, a quarry industry. Kit bashing, just as in other scales, is a useful tool to upgrade smaller HO kits. Photo 8 illustrates an Atlas HO
girder bridge split to re-gauge, with a new solid base and a strip between the rails to mask the split, representing a walkway, but also to strengthen the structure. Modelling with card stock is re-emerging in popularity with overlays being available widely on the WWW. I am also aware that 3D printing is being used to provide realistic details and “sides” for structures.
Figures and vehicles are more scale sensitive and while these are available correctly to S scale, HO and OO items can be used in background situations if carefully positioned.
Photo 8 SHS F9A entering an Atlas HO Girder bridge kit bashed for S-scale. The track is OO Peco also re-gauged.
Some useful contacts/resources
www.nasg.org National Association of S Gaugers www.s-scale.org.uk S scale Model Railway Society www.americanmodels.com both Hi-Rail and scale trains www.lionel.com Hi-Rail Lionel American Flyer trains www.mthtrains.com Offering some former SHS items www.bachmanntrains.com Plasticville buildings & On30 www.bantamodelworks,com Laser cut buildings www.btsrr.com Laser cut building kits, Parts, brass Locos www.modeltrainsoftware.comEvans Designs -card overlays www.markway..co.uk S-scale turnouts in limited sizes
www.modeltechstudios,com www.precisionscaleco.com www.riverraisinmodels.com
Laser cut buildings
S and Sn3 parts Brass Locos and Cars
www.rustystumps.com Laser cut buildings and models
www.sscaleresource.com www.sanjuanmodelco.com www.scmodelworks.com www.sceneryunlimited.net
Free e-magazine Laser cut buildings
St Charles Model Works Large stockist and importer including Shinohara S track
www.smokeymountainmodelworks.com High detail parts www.tomalcotrack.com S scale Turnout manufacturer
Web addresses are accurate at time of writing. Not all will supply direct to users, but they are useful to see what is available. Several good Stockists in the USA and Canada can supply or order. I will always help where possible and the large Clubs are always helpful.
Unattributed photos by Des Browne.
18 ROUNDHOUSE - December 2019