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Welcome to the Proto48 Newsletter. This is our second issue at
our new web address. The initial response to our new site has been
very positive and gratifying to our staff and writers. We continue
our tradition of featuring information on 1/48th scale railroading.
While we try to focus on Proto48 wheel and track standards, we offer
content useful to modelers in other scales or interests.
We are expanding site content with each issue. We are open to suggestions
and ideas for inclusion in the future. It may be useful to add a
list of Proto48 modelers and their contact information. We will
expand the list of sources for Proto48 track and wheels as they
become available. Meanwhile, this website will be the most visible
symbol of the Proto48 movement.
The site will serve as a portal to gain information for newcomers
and to exchange ideas and work for those who are active in Proto48
modeling. Our focus will continue to be on scale railroad modeling
in 1/48th scale. We would like to extend an invitation to enjoy
what we have and to contribute as you can.
The emphasis in Proto48 is on scale modeling. The concept can encompass
the total model railroad or simply a car or a locomotive. It is
about making a scale model. Getting the wheels and gauge right is
part of the picture.
WHAT IS PROTO48?
Proto48 is a refinement of the traditional O gauge railroad modeling.
It uses wheel and track standards of prototype Association of American
Railroads (AAR) scaled to 1/48 of their actual size. It is in effect
a scale replica of the AAR standards used by full-sized railroads.
The wheel profile was changed to a scale 5.5" in width with a scale
flange depth of approximately 1". The gauge was corrected to a prototypically
correct 4' 8 �" rather than the traditional 5' gauge used by modelers
since the scale's inception. To more accurately identify this subset
of O scale, the new standards are referred to as Proto48.
Proto48 runs on wheels that are nearly the same as HO scale RP-25.
Quarter-inch scale models have more mass and will track better than
HO even using a similar wheel profile. Proto48 models will not run
on standard O gauge. Standard O gauge models can be converted over
using wheels and trucks readily available from several suppliers.
Steam locomotives will require more work to convert. There are suppliers
who offer conversion services to assist individual modelers. Go
to our "Suppliers" section to learn more about sources of modeling
material.
The emphasis in Proto48 is on scale modeling. The concept can encompass
the total model railroad or simply a car or a locomotive. It is
about making a scale model. Getting the wheels and gauge right is
part of the picture.
Thanks,
Gene Deimling
Editor, The PROTO48 Newsletter
What is New in Proto48?
Site:
This is our second issue at the new site. We
will continue to carried over all of the old material from the "e
Proto Journal" as well as previous issues of the Proto48 Modeler.
The material will continue be available as we add updates.
- "Articles and Tips" features a new
article by Tom Mix on scratch building locomotive drivers. It
sounds really hard but not as difficult as you might think.
- "Photo Gallery" has several new
photos of fine �" scale models
- New products
- We have updated local shows and stocking dealers this issue.
Local Shows with Proto48 Content:
- Indy Show
19-20 September 2003 Indianapolis, IN
James Canter hosts this two-day event. This year there will be
five Proto48 layouts open for tour after the show. The opportunity
to see five Proto48 layouts within a few hours drive of the show
is a unique opportunity. The show has the usual selection of dealers,
traders and clinics to fill you time and to empty your pockets.
Contact James Canter for more information jcanternkp@aol.com
- O Scale West
13-15 February 2003, Santa Clara, CA
Show is held in the Santa Clara Convention Center that is adjacent
to the Westin Hotel. The show features clinics, layout tours,
lots of sellers and modular layouts including Paul Matineau's
Proto48 layout.
www.rodmiller.com/osw.shtml
- Chicago Midwest O Scale Meet
March 2004 Arlington Heights, IL
The show is held at the Sheraton Convention Center in Arlington
Heights. The show has a huge selling floor, operating layouts
including a Proto48 modular display. James Canter usually hosts
a meeting for Proto48 followers. Hill's Hobby & Collectors
Shop sponsors the meet.
- 2004 NMRA National Convention
July 2004 Seattle, WA
The NMRA nationals are usually large shows well attended with
huge commercial exhibits, clinics, layout tours and few folks
with strange hats and vests. The show will feature a gathering
of Proto48 modelers hosted by Mike O'Connell of Chooch Enterprises.
He is planning a private tour of his super Proto48 layout. More
information will be provided as we get close to the show.
Stocking Dealers:
- Des Plaines Hobbies, 1468 Lee St, Des Plaines,
IL 60018
http://www.desplaineshobbies.com
Stocks Proto48 flex track, wheels and trucks
- P&D Hobbies, 31280 Groesbeck Hwy, Fraser, MI
48026
http://www.pdhobbyshop.com
Stocks conversion bolsters for converting P&D Bloomberg diesel
trucks to Proto48 as well as San Juan trucks and NWSL wheels and
conversions for diesel drives
- Caboose Hobbies, 500 South Broadway, Denver,
CO 80209
http://www.caboosehobbies.com
Stocks San Juan trucks and wheels
- High Sierra Models, 4020 Kietzke Ln, Crossroads
Center, Reno, NV 89502
http://www.highsierramodels.com
Under new ownership. Shop is best stocking dealer in the country.
Track, track gages, lost wax turnout kits, Right O' Way track
parts, trucks and wheels
- Coronado Scale Models, 1544 Cypress Street, Phoenix,
AZ 85006, (602) 254-9656.
This shop has served the needs of fine scale modelers for over
30 years. The owners are active �" scale modeler having produced
some beautiful locomotives and cars. Their shop offers excellent
mail order service and knowledgeable assistance.
Supplier News:
Keystone Model Works
http://www.keystonemodelworks.com
Steve Grabowski and his partner continue to offer superb scale models
of Pennsylvania Railroad equipment. Keystone will be offering the
H-25 quad hopper, H-21 quad and beautiful Gulland water column.
They are supposed to releasing the 2D F8 50-ton truck and massive
2E F2 70-ton "Crown" truck soon. The Crown will only be
available in brass but the 50-ton truck will be available in plastic
as well as brass.
Chooch Enterprises Inc.
http://www.choochenterprises.com/html/ultra_scale_ii.html
Mike O'Connell is busy preparing his new line of wooden passenger
cars for market. The cars will feature some novel materials and
construction techniques. The first car out is a 71 seat Pullman
smoking car followed by 14 Section Tourist Sleeper. Visit their
website for more information on this new development in high quality
kits. Some new freight cars are in the works but it is too early
to mention anything specific.
Protocraft
18498 Half Moon Street
Unit 203
Sonoma, CA 95476-4835 (707) 935-7011 (voice message)
protocraft48@yahoo.com
Website: www.protocraft.com
After several years of hard work, Norm Buckhart has just about finished
with his new home north of San Francisco. He will be getting back
to running his Protocraft operation again. Norm has all of his Proto48
items in stock. He has an extensive line of wheels, driver centers,
and diesel conversions along with tools to aid in modeling. We are
all happy to see things getting back to normal. Protocraft is shipping
their SP 2-10-2 Proto48 driver conversion kit. I have mine and they
look good.
Canter Rail Services
1203 Rotherham Lane, Beech Grove, IN 46107 jcanternkp@aol.com
James Canter has been a strong supporter of Proto48 for many years.
He has been selling a number of items for Proto48 modelers. Jim
Canter with help from Steve Grabowski has developed an interesting
project that should speed layout construction greatly. It is a new
line of highly detailed plastic tie strips and switch tie strips.
The ties include tie plates and starter holes for spikes.
The tie plates are gauged for either Code 125 or Code 138 rail.
Jim says that Code 100 can be installed with some care. The strips
are articulated in the center with a unique strip that interlocks
on the ends to form a continuos tie strip. The tie strip is sold
in lots of 12 at $29.95 that is enough for approximately nine feet
of track. The photo below is of a prototype made using stereolithography
(A process where a computer-controlled laser is used to hard liquid
plastic to form a three-dimensional shape). The design was developed
using CAD technology and is directly transferable to injection molding
dies. A #8 turnout in left and right will be released shortly.
Canter Rail Services also sells polycarbonate templates for laying
out ties and rail. These are very useful devices. The turnout template
shown below is for a #8 single crossover. The template has track
centers, tie lengths, and spacing that should speed construction.
The crossover template comes in two interlocking pieces. Canter
also sells curved templates that should make it very easy to ensure
that you have a constant radius throughout the curve.
RL Design
14123 206th St. S.E., Snohomish, WA 98296-3947
Rick Leach has expanded his line of O scale decals to include several Southern Pacific and T&NO sets. He has recently released decals for the Chooch Ultra Scale II SP/ T&NO B-50-15 boxcar, SP & T&NO 40-ton stock cars, and SP AAR 1937 steel boxcars that are perfect for the Intermountain car. Rick developed the artwork from photographs, stencil drawings from the railroad and lettering diagrams for the specific cars. In all cases he used photos as the ultimate source. The lettering is printed on very thin film using an ALPS printer. The lettering is very sharp even down to the very small inspection lettering on the air reservoir. The SP heralds are printed in the black and white to a correct size. Much of the commercial lettering on the market is incorrect in the size of the SP logo. Prices range from $10 to $11 per set with a $4 shipping charge. Rick also offers lettering for NYC boxcars and NP caboose.
San Juan Car Company
P. O. Box 1028, Durango, Colorado 81302
Phone: 970-385-5256
San Juan has just released their version of the WP/ SN boxcar kit. The model comes with archbar trucks and K-brake. The next car is rumored to be a 50-foot double-sheathed wood car common on the Rio Grande.
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