On 06/23/2024 9:35 AM EDT Ted Zanders <trzp1800@...> wrote:
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Good day!
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For me, I¡¯m on about the same page as Bill Hawk, but would refine it to say that one can start out in the hobby running American Flyer, then, if one wishes, go on to model in high rail, and if the scale modeling bug bites, change all your wheels and track and move into full-on scale modeling, without giving up the modeling you¡¯ve previously put your effort into or switching scales.? It¡¯s more of a refinement of modeling skills and the evolution of your interests that determines your path.? So it is a great scale in which to bring in young railroaders who will then have several choices as to how they can continue to enjoy their hobby as they grow older and more skillful, without having to switch scales.? No other scale does this as well.
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Enjoying the simple pleasure of running a train and the excitement of the sound and power of a big engine, even a docksider is a big engine when you are 7, and the equipment is sturdy enough to survive your 7 year old self, and is still scaled realistically enough look like the real thing.? The two rail track helps a lot as well. ? Then one can add in the excitement of actually loading barrels into a gondola; ?people , or cattle, into a car and then taking them on a journey.? You can add operating crossing gates, freight and passenger stations, lumber loaders, coal loaders and your layout becomes more alive with towns and businesses and activity and this can fire your imagination, while introducing you to ¡°realistic¡± operations.? How sneaky is that?!?
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Modeling follows along with you on this journey.? Putting together a Plasticville or K-Line building is modeling.? Doing a simple layout, then adding turnouts, sidings, houses, tarpaper roads and businesses along your route is modeling.? Buying premade trees, or going through a nearby field or vacant lot and collecting the seed heads of ¡°weeds¡± to use as trees is modeling. One day, that could lead to scratch-building brass Northerns in exacting detail to the prototype, or the type of scenery that will get you on the cover of RMC, or just reworking the Plasticville Frosty Bar into a weathered, scale version of the one you used to go to when you were 17.
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So, for me 1/64 scale provides the widest range of modeling opportunities with the widest range of expressive possibilities.? And one can move between these options over time and not have to entirely abandon all you have accumulated. ?( try converting your Lionel three rail to O-Scale two rail¡) It also provides the best scale representations of motive power and rolling stock sturdy enough for a 7-year old to play with and not readily break. ?(Try that with your HO Bachman), so it is ideal for bringing in kids to model railroading.? And although there is a lot of talk about converting HO modelers into S modelers, in order to grow the hobby, we need to attract more kids, and adults who are not currently model railroaders, into this very rewarding hobby.? That would be actual growth, not just shifting emphasis.
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Thank you all for what you are doing for the hobby.? The collective knowledge and modeling skills of this group are awesome.
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°ä³ó±ð±ð°ù¡±³§¡±,
Ted
From:?Mike Swederska
Date: Fri, 21 Jun 2024 07:40:32 PDT?
My goodness, did this topic ever go down a different route than what I originally asked about. . .?I was looking for what you think is the greatest thing about S you would point out if you had just one moment?in front of a very large crowd that was not modeling in 3/16.
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For "the greatest thing" I would fall back on the Goldilocks principle that O is too big, HO is too small, but S is just right.?
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In defense of this, Ed Packard of C-D gave a clinic at the 1987 NASG convention at which he said he settled on 3/16¡± scale in the late 1930s because models ¡°felt right¡± when held in a boy's hand. In the vendor room he had a table of leftover wooden parts for sale.?
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Today his??continues in business, selling plans for model airplanes. There is no mention of its model railroad impact.
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Bill Roberts, Receiver
San Antonio &?Aransas Pass Railway?Co.
* * * Timetable Notes?(selected) * * *
a Slight delay due to?unavoidable?conditions
? Stops to discharge?passengers of funeral?parties
g Mail box on station?platform
j Does not stop in?months lacking letter?"r"
m Stops on flag daily?except Monday
p Bees?in station
t Pauses crossing?Colorado River during?bluebonnet season
w If Skidmore agent has cleaned the men¡¯s restroom, Train 41 engineer stops to shave. Add 11 minutes.
y Conductor doesn't?like to leave without?at least one passenger
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