My first scratch building attempts in 1969-70

Live Steam 3000 series box car 1999

Latest update 09-24-2009

In 1967, I became interested in N gauge railroading. In late 1966 I had discovered HOn2 1/2 industrial railroading. My Dad and I built a bench for the Enfield & Ohio from the Model Railroader project series. I later expanded it and it became my PRR model railroad. In 1969, when I was 13, I scratch built a PRR camp car based on plans in MR (?). With probable influence from the 1969 Trains issue that was about the world of narrow gauge railroading, I started an addition that was in true Nn3 (not Z gauge track). I made five Nn3 cars loosely based on D&RGW practice. I hand laid the narrow gauge track using rail from N scale flex track and made a functional N gauge/ Nn3 gauge diamond. The trucks for Nn3 were using the same idea that the tender trucks of the K37 class mikes used - slide the wheels in to Nn3 gauge. I used coupler mounted trucks with Arnold couplers.

In the photos below, the yellow camp car in the background is the N scale PRR camp car.

The four D&RGW narrow gauge cars are in the foreground. I do not recall what happened to the trucks.

To letter the D&RGW equipment, I used some typewriter correction tape and wrote on the tape with a pencil. It is quite crude to look at now, but I have kept all five Nn3 cars and the PRR camp car to remind myself to not be afraid to try something new.

The latest D&RGW 3000 series box car I built (1999) was in 2.5" scale and 7.5" gauge! The Live Steam box car was scratch built. I purchased commercial turnbuckles but I made patterns for the trucks and had them cast down at a local foundry.

Return to Doug's home page.

I may be contacted at douglasvanveelen@mindspring.com