Category: O Scale & Proto 48

This category includes all posts on O scale and Proto 48 topics.

I began building freight car models in O scale in 2008. At that time, while editor of the Seaboard-Coast Line Modeler magazine, I built an Intermountain O scale 1937 box car model for an article in the magazine. I enjoyed it so much that I have continued to build a few O scale models every year as a hobby-within-the-hobby.

My models are built to the “Proto48” standard. American O scale is 1/48 scale but the track gauge is unprototypically 5-feet, zero inches (sometimes called “OW5”). Proto48 is the same 1/48 scale, but the track gauge is the prototypically correct width of 4-feet, 8-1/2 inches. The models are the same, but the wheel gauge is exact-to-scale. Moreover, since Proto48 is generally recognized as a fine-scale standard, most modelers who adapt to Proto48 tend to build models to a higher standard.

My long-term goal is to continue building freight cars for the time being, and build a small Proto48 switching layout when I finally retire and settle down.

Freight and Passenger Car Modeling, O Scale & Proto 482 Comments

No. 65: Progress on Freight Cars, Oct 2017

Golden1014

A quick post on progress of freight car model construction and also construction of the Portage Tower models for Mike Moore’s layout. Proto 48 Models I was able to finish a lot of small projects this week and also contemplate a few new ones.  First I finished installing the running board for an Intermountain 1937 double-door box car that will be finished as an SAL AF-3.  I scratchbuilt the latitudinal running board supports and am not terribly happy with them, but they are much better than the kit-supplied parts.  The running board is an aftermarket part from Protocraft.  The car … Continue reading No. 65: Progress on Freight Cars, Oct 2017

Freight and Passenger Car Modeling, O Scale & Proto 481 Comment

No. 63: Freight Car Modeling, Sep 2017

Golden1014

Progress on model construction has gone very well in the first two weeks of September thanks mostly to a work trip to Stuttgart. I spent four nights in Stuttgart last week and was able to get a few hours of work done every night. The first car I built up while away was an HO scale Tichy flat car from the Central of Georgia Historical Society.  I bought it at the last St. Louis RPM directly from the society table there. The model is part of the society’s “Fix The Flat” program.  Proceeds from the sale of the model are … Continue reading No. 63: Freight Car Modeling, Sep 2017

Freight and Passenger Car Modeling, O Scale & Proto 482 Comments

No. 45: Proto 48 Western Pacific Double-Sheathed Box Car – Part 1

Golden1014

San Juan Car Company brought to the O scale market a beautiful Western Pacific double sheathed car some years ago.  This is a model of WP’s distinctive eight-foot interior height cars with modified steel dreadnaught ends.  WP acquired 2,500 of these cars in several order beginning in 1917.  28 were transferred to the WP subsidiary, Sacramento Northern, in 1941.  According to Martin Loftin most of the cars were gone by 1955, but some of them lasted in revenue or roadway maintenance service as late as 1969. Above.  I wasn’t able to get permissions to use a prototype photo in time for this … Continue reading No. 45: Proto 48 Western Pacific Double-Sheathed Box Car – Part 1

Layout Visits, O Scale & Proto 48Leave a comment

No. 6: A Visit to Jim Canter’s P48 Layout

Golden1014

One of the highlights of a trip I made across the east coast in September, 2015 was a visit to Jim Canter at his home in Indianapolis.  Jim is a terrific fellow and runs the huge annual Indy O scale meet.  He is an accomplished Proto48 modeler and has a large P48 layout in his basement, and has produced a line of track and parts in O scale.  If you’re interested in the O Scale show, contact Jim at oscaleindy@att.net. If you’re not familiar with Proto48, you can find out more information here: http://proto48.org/ Here are some photos from my visit with Jim.  Thanks Jim for … Continue reading No. 6: A Visit to Jim Canter’s P48 Layout