Modeling the 1870's in OO/HO

The IHC 4-4-0 is an OO/ HO model of the Virginia and Truckee 1872 4-4-0's Reno, Inyo and Genoa. The model's problem is the tender drive and oversize flanges. They make modeling OO/HO highly desirable since there is a large supply of accessories from the United Kingdom.

This is what I am doing and why it is a good idea. I am proposing using OO/HO for modeling the 1870's. OO/HO is 4mm/ft (1/76) running on 16.5mm HO track. I am presenting this for making a large OPERATING layout. A small diorama can be built in any scale. Everything can be hacked out of brass and wood. The following will examine a why for each major scale. There are three things to model a large layout:
Locomotives that run well and require minimal construction
Freight Cars available in easy to-build form for large quantities
Figures and vehicles

Examining the major scales:
HO - See Below
O - See Below
S - No standard gauge equipment. Sn3 is the same size and 4 times as expensive. No cars available except Colorado in the 30's
N - automatically eliminated as too small and difficult to run in light steam.

Bachmann has a line of 1870's HO equipment. It is their old style of dreadful runners and bad detail. All the other equipment in HO is 1890's and not easily down sized. The Mantua General is too hard to find without solid drivers.

O scale has only the scarce old Rivarossi V&T 4-4-0's and no cars. There are limited wagons and $11.95 cows.

On30 has no narrow gauge locomotives that fits this earlier era. You can't make a realistic O scale models converting HO scale equipment.

The International Hobby 4-4-0's and cars are made in OO/HO. The Bachmann old time freight cars are the same dimensions as 1870's prototypes in OO.

These are the same locomotive but different scales. The foreground model is the Bachmann 4-4-0 with an HO figure. Behind is the OO/HO IHC/Rivarossi/AHM/Pocher 4-4-0 with an OO scale figure. Both locomotive are 1870's 4-4-0's with 55 inch drivers. The manufactureres of the IHC 4-4-0's recognized the advantage of the larger scale, even though the sell them as HO. The IHC old time cars are OO/HO models that match 1870's Pennsylvania railroad cars. They are only a scale foot narrower.

There are also 1/72 scale figures. These are Preiser. They are only 5% too large, but are easily shortened to a 5'-7" 1870's person. The difference is less than the 1/43 to 1/48 gap in O scale figures. The OO figure in the figure comparison picture is a Preiser 1/72. They are really nice. There are also soft plastic toy sets in 1/72 but they require special handling due to the plastic material.

OO/HO offers enough to convincingly model the 1870's. It is the predominant scale/gauge combination in the United Kingdom so there is a large commercial base. If the modeler can live with the gauge discrepency, like our British brethern, it makes modeling this era easy. HO track can be used. HO stuctures can be modified with new doors for foreground scenes. I think this the best way to model the 1870's.

1870's OO equipment running on HO track show that the smaller than normal track gauge is hardly discernible. Trackage on the On30 Pacific Coast Air Line Railway.

This is an 1870's 4-4-0. The IHC 4-4-0 is similar with the same driver diameter and general dimensions in OO. Figures determine the visual size of the model. Note how small an 1870's locomotive is in relation to people. The only HO locomotives available are poor runners or rare old brass imports of 35 years ago.

Here is an HO figure on the running board and OO figures next to our Roundhouse/IHC merged 4-4-0. Compare it with the prototype photo. Modeling the 1870's in OO/HO is the better way. The locomotive is too large for HO in the 1870's.

A wide range of HO structures can be modified for OO. Most structures have a transom over the door. This makes modifying the doorway for a larger scale easy. This is an old AHM Ramsey Journal Building with an OO figure. The brick work is too coarse for HO but perfect for OO.

There is a myth that the 1870's is an era of podunk backwoods shortline railroading. It was the beginning of big time railroading. Fast freights, express trains, sleepers and big industry were keynote in the 1870's.

The D,L&W Scranton yard during the 1877 strike is a big time operation. Most large model railroad trackplans depict a physical plant more of the 1870's than the more modern era they depict.

The IHC Oldtime 4-4-0 has tender drive and oversize flanges. It is difficult to put sound in a tender drive locomotive. Athearn/Roundhouse released a updated 4-4-0 with sound and small flanges. Modifications make it possible to mount the IHC boiler onto the Roundhouse chassis.

If the motor is lowered in MDC chassis the IHC boiler can be mounted. The IHC tender will accommodate a Soundtraxx Tsunami and two 7/8 diameter speakers. (Click Images to Enlarge)

The MDC consolidation with an IHC 4-4-0 boiler installed. The idler shaft has to be relocated to lower the motor. The locomotive needs a larger freight style cab installed. (Click Images to Enlarge)

A MDC/Roundhouse with a larger 1870's style freight cab and lowered boiler. It is a freelanced consolidation from the plans in White's A History of the American Locomotive. (Click Images to Enlarge)

The Model Power/Mantua freight cars (left) are the right size without modification as are the IHC Oldtime cars, except the boxcars, along with the Bachmann Oldtyme cars. A IHC cattle car and a Bachmann Boxcar (right) are Pennsy prototypes. All they need are 36"diameter HO wheels to approximate the 1870's.

The MDC caboose makes a good eight wheel caboose and the Bachmann bobber chassis and the cupola are the right size for a four wheel caboose.

The release of the Athearn/Roundhouse passenger makes a passenger fleet easy. The only modification is larger wheels and larger doors in the combine and baggage car. Here shown with Langley OO scale figures.
(Click image to enlarge)

Our railroad crew consisting of shortened Preiser 1/72nd and a Langley metal figure

(Click Image to Enlarge)