On30 Extra Board
Welcome to On30 Annual Extra Board! Here you’ll find sample content from each jam-packed issue, plus some occasional extras we didn’t have room for. We also welcome your contributions for exclusive features related to O scale narrow gauge model railroading.
September 1, 2014
Easy Lionel Depot Kitbash
Lionel makes a perfectly good station kit. It has a timeless “railroady” look to it that could be appropriate for any period for the last century. So why kitbash it? Well there are several good reasons. My reasons were to make it smaller and a little less imposing and a little less likely to overwhelm my Bachmann On30 narrow gauge trains.
February 4, 2012
Scratchbuilding with Scale Lumber: Evanoff Pattern & Foundry
Sometimes less is better. Model buildings are too often weathered to the point of total decrepitness, as if the whole world is ancient and crumbling into disrepair. Surely there must be some recently built, or at the least, some well-maintained structures in our miniature world? Rather than simulating peeling paint and rotting lumber, this O scale structure was modeled in a state of relative newness.
March 1, 2010
Scratchbuild a Gallows Turntable
This type of turntable with the central tower and supporting cables is called a “gallows” turntable, as in some ways the tall structure represents its gruesome namesake. Download full-size scale drawings so you can build your own model.
February 1, 2009
Mann’s Creek Hopper Plans
One of the more appealing aspects of these diminutive wooden 20-ton hoppers was that after twenty or so years of service on the Mann’s Creek Railway, each had been individually rebuilt in a variety of ways. Download free plans to build your own.
April 1, 2008
Scratchbuild a Country Depot in Six Steps
While planning the town of Bayfield on my new Texas Creek & Southern railroad, I located the site for my depot. I wanted it to be a small, branchline-type structure. After looking around to see what was available, I decided to scratchbuild my own.
March 1, 2008
Creating a Narrow Gauge Logging Behemoth
I obtained a Banta Model Works conversion cab for the Mantua HO scale 2-6-6-2 tank engine. They are very nice kits and fit the locomotive perfectly. Mine was for the version without a tender but Banta makes both types.
March 1, 2008
Interview with Nancy Workman of Soundtraxx
You’ve heard of their products for years (literally)… Most notably the Tsunami™ line of sound-equipped decoders from Soundtraxx. Editor Chris Lane was able to sit down with Soundtraxx co-founder Nancy Workman in 2008 and discuss the history of the company, their design philosophies, and even a bit about Blackstone Models, their HOn3 manufacturing division. Here is the complete interview from the 2008 On30 Annual.
January 1, 2006
Introduction to O Scale Narrow Gauge and On30 Model Railroading
So where does the narrow gauge modeler start? Most ready-made track products are only produced in standard gauge, and handlaying track is an intimidating proposition for many. However, by using models from one scale and track components from another, you can achieve the effect you’re looking for.
