The O scale layout was conceived of as a way to promote the scale, to combat the idea that you had to have a lot of space to do something because it was so large. Or that the only way to do something reasonable was to go the 3-rail route with its tight curves. I'm sure Jordan would have something to say about that. The premise was that it would mimic the idea of an HO layout built on the the bog standard (in the US) 4'x8' sheet of plywood, which is a very common starter layout over here. This O scale layout is 8'x16', done to p48 standards.
It was part of a concerted effort by the O Scale Central group to promote O scale to the great unwashed, which included the layout and a "learning station", plus a row of tables loaded with some nice O scale/p48 models. I knew the O Scale Central group would be there, but there were quite a few more O scale modelers in attendance than I expected. Overall there was a fair amount of O scale or p48 models on the tables, more than I have seen at any RPM or other all-scales show, which I found very encouraging.
I walked around the show I don't know how many times, and I never noticed these signs!
Makes me wonder what else I missed. To be fair there were a lot more people to talk to than I expected, and I ended up spending most of my time discussing various topics. That's fine, as I definitely think it's a valuable aspect of shows. But I guess I should have taken more time see what all was on the tables.
The same could be said for the diorama with the pipe dozers. I walked past that several times without really looking at it closely. I'd be very interested in a couple of side boom dozers like that as they are the preferred tool these days for cleaning up derailments or performing field maintenance like wheelset replacements.
I'm pretty sure the Mainline cars will have metal wheelsets, even as the lower price point line from Walthers. It's clear that plastic wheelsets are problematic, and the switch to metal wheels has been pretty much widespread across the hobby.
As discussed previously, I think you should accept the molded on grabs for things like the hoppers and tank cars, most cars actually, for the "playing trains" aspect of your modeling. Especially if it lets you get the variety and quantity of rolling stock you need at a reasonable cost. To that end, the Mainline cars are actually good options, and I'd say the same for the Mainline locomotives. They don't have as much detail as ome other models, but the drives are the same as on the Walthers Proto (highest price point) models, and it's widely considered one of the best in HO right now.
I'm as compulsive as can be, but even I have to concede that things like separate grabs become a lot less important once the trains start moving. Shooting static scenes is different, I think it's proper to focus on the details for models intended for that purpose. I think Dave suggested the same above.
Jim
