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.

Easy Lionel Depot Kitbash

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.

Scratchbuilding with Scale Lumber: Evanoff Pattern & Foundry

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.

Scratchbuild a Gallows Turntable

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.

Mann’s Creek Hopper Plans

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.

Scratchbuild a Country Depot in Six Steps

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.

Creating a Narrow Gauge Logging Behemoth

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.

Interview with Nancy Workman of Soundtraxx

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.

Introduction to O Scale Narrow Gauge and On30 Model Railroading

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.