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The lead photo for this issue is a beautiful Western Pacific 2-8-2 owned by Norm Buckhart of Protocraft. Norm started out with an Overland Models USRA heavy Mikado. The model was rebuilt by the late Roy Pietschmann to follow the Western Pacific's #307. The WP obtained a group of USRA heavy mikes in exchange for some USRA lights. Engine 307 was the first in her class to receive an Elesco feedwater heater in 1930. The whole class was transfer to the Western Division in 1938. She was retired in October 1950 and cut up two years later. Roy had to strip the model then apply all new piping along with the feedwater system. He built a new cab, replaced the trailing truck, daylighted and equalized the frame. He narrowed the cylinder saddle, valve gear hangers, shortened the axels and cut down the driver centers. Roy made new tires to P48 standards and replaced the lead and trailing wheels with Protocraft parts. The tender was a major upgrade to increase the height and convert the bunker to oil. Lee Yeager painted and weathered the model. This is the 12th issue of the Proto48 Modeler. We hope that this issue will entertain and inform our readers about finescale modeling in Proto48. As always we are indebted to the modelers who take the time to send material to share with others. We hope that this spirit of sharing will continue allowing us to bring fresh material to the web so that it can be enjoyed by everyone. The Proto48 movement has been going for over 40 years and has gained the respect of many in the model railroading community. We often hear how neat P48 and but I started out in O gauge and it is too hard to……… A number of our newest members have come from other scales in particular HO. Achieving accurate models in smaller scales is a challenge. Replicating the detail in ¼” scale is easier and achievable with practice. We encourage you to give it a try. You will find challenges to model in the scale but that is part of the fun to solve modeling problems. It is a departure from the current trend of open the box and put the train on the track. While you can use ready-to-run equipment built in China, you will have to change the wheels to run on the 4’ 8 ½” gauge. Once you do that you will find that there are other improvements that can be made to the details and soon you will become hooked. Proto48 is a small movement within the ¼” scale community. We have been around since the 1960’s and continue to support fine model building. Our focus is on standard gauge modeling. Proto48 defines a gauge and wheel profile for locomotives, cars and track but it also expresses concept of finescale modeling. Our models start out with the correct gauge of 4’ 8 ½” and scale wheel profile and continue throughout the model to create an accurately scaled replica of the prototype. Quarter-inch scale offers railroad modelers a huge potential in terms of size and mass. It is big enough to permit the craftsman to accurately portray things like underbody details, doors, roof walks and ladders. Proto48 standard gauge modelers tend to achieve even a higher level of detail and accuracy like their narrow gauge brethren. |
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What is New in Proto48 Modeler? This issue focuses on new products and new photos. We have added some new photos of models built by several Proto48 modelers. There are two forums on Yahoo Groups that focus on Proto48: Jim Harper has completed the move of his layout from Reno to St. George, Utah. He sent us these pictures to share with fellow P48 modelers. Jim's P48 layout is one of the finest in the country. |
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Naperville 2007 Proto48 Once again, Proto48 was represented at the largely HO Prototype Modelers Seminar in Naperville, IL. A good number of models were displayed. These photos were taken by David Hussey. |
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O Scale Industry News Protocraft has released several new trucks in P48. Glacier Park Models continues with their string of exquisite scale Southern Pacific steam locos. This past year saw four different versions of 2-8-0s representing two classes. The model shown was converted to P48 by its owner, John Pautz, using the kit supplied by Glacier Park. The photo was taken by David Hussey. |
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Local Shows with Proto48 Content: O Scale National Convention O Scale West Chicago Midwest O Scale Meet |
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Stocking Dealers:
Des Plaines Hobbies
Caboose Hobbies High Sierra Models Coronado Scale Models |
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Supplier News:
American Switch & Signal |
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Chooch Enterprises Inc. Mike O'Connell has a number of new building kits available in either unpainted or pre-painted form. Check out their website for details. |
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Rails Unlimited Ted is preparing to release a new stock car based upon a Milwaukee Road prototype. The car is a pre-assembled urethane body that you can add details of your choice. Rails Unlimited has an extensive line of kits and is also an excellent dealer for general model railroad merchandise. He stocks O in depth and gives reliable service. |
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Glacier Park Models GPM is preparing to import four version of the Southern Pacific M-6 class mogul. They will be available in Southern Pacific Lines and the post-war Southern Pacific lettering. The offerings include 1744 with the 90-C-2 tender, 1785 with its unique wagontop boiler, and 1767 with the most unusual 70-SC-1 tender off of the EP&SW. The models with be available with a Proto48 conversion kit for the drivers and other wheels. The pilot models were exhibited at O Scale West and they were spectacular. Make sure you order early since this unique prototype series will likely not be done again in O scale. All of the previous SP steam locos from GPM has sold out within days of arrival in the country. The models are expected in June or July 2008. |
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Mullet River Model Works |
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RY Models Nickel Plate Models Protocraft Protocraft is a key supplier of Proto48 wheels, parts and conversion sets. They have released most of the old Chooch line with the addition of passenger car trucks. The trucks have required considerable engineering work to get them to fully equalize and track. The patterns were done by the master pattern maker, Oscar Neubert III. He had master much of the old Backshop line and also many of the castings sold by the Irish Tracklayer. Norm Buckhart, the owner, has released a new catalog. We recommend you contact Norm directly to get the latest information. |
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RL Design Rick Leach is busy working on his latest project for a comprehensive set (s) of decals for Northern Pacific diesels including switchers, GP/RS first generation and freight F-units. The decals will screen printed with accurate color matching. Look for the release of the decals later in 2008. |
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Greg Komar Komar offers a wide range of high quality dry transfers covering Midwestern and Eastern railroads in some detail. I have used his sets with great success on several models. He doesn’t have a website but we loaded his latest listing on the site as a PDF. San Juan Car Company Irish Tracklayer Southern Car and Foundry |
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This update posted: 4/22/2008 |