Hi-Rail it to the Pacific Northwest!!

I am definitely a Toy Train Collector, not a Railway Modeller, although I admire the work modellers do, and enjoy seeing detailed model railways at exhibitions.  One of the layouts that I plan to build in the Trainbarn though is what’s called a Hi-rail layout- that is a layout using three-rail 0 gauge track and trains, but running in a detailed scale-model-type setting.  Probably the big difference between a Hi-rail layout and a scale model railroad is the configuration of the tracks and the way in which it is operated.  Hi-rail layouts usually have multiple circuits of tracks running within the scenery, going around and around, whereas scale model railways will closely resemble the real railways- stopping at stations and sidings simulating the task that real railways perform.

The picture above is one of the best examples of an 0 gauge Hi-rail layout that you will ever find!!  It is of the Black Diamond Railway and other information can be found on their website www.toytrainsontracks.com .  The builder of this layout has produced three fantastic DVDs detailing the whole construction process, and I thoroughly recommend them!!  They'll get you hooked!!  You will notice that the track used- MTH Scaletrax- is still 3 rail, the design is still fundamentally several large loops of track with continuous running, but the scenery and detailing is absolutely stunning!!

Scale model railways nearly always are set in a particular area and timeframe, and will only run locomotives and rolling stock that are appropriate for that setting.  I’m going to do that to some degree with this layout too, but for me, picking a defined area is usually nearly impossible, as I like everything!!  In this case however, I have a good friend who lives in the Pacific Northwest of the USA who I’ve visited a couple of times and I’ve grown very fond of the various railways in the area.  There was a ‘home-grown’ railway called the Spokane Portland and Seattle (SP&S) which is still highly regarded by enthusiasts, the Great Northern, Northern Pacific, Milwaukee Railroad, Union Pacific, Southern Pacific, and no doubt various others, so even though I’ve narrowed down my locale somewhat, there are still lots of choices!!

I haven’t purchased many locomotives for this planned railroad yet as there was a bit of an issue about actually making them run.  Unlike the smaller HO trains which run on 12volts DC power and are almost universally compatible, O gauge trains run on AC power. This is not an issue with the older trains at all, however with the more recent trains that incorporate some sort of electronic ‘command control’, this use of AC power may or may not have been an issue.  The problem- if such a problem exists- is the frequency of the AC (Alternating Current)- the Hertz- ie how many times a second the current alternates/ changes direction, within the wires.  Most of the world uses 50 Hertz power, the US uses 60 Hertz.  The frequency of the power is often used to ‘set’ the speed or timing within the electronics, so a different frequency can totally upset modern electronics.  Incidentally, my digital clock radio beside my bed keeps very good time in Australia- where it’s made for- but gains time dramatically in the country in which I work part time because the frequency here is different, if not erratic!!

One of the leading 0 gauge manufacturers- MTH- has just introduced a new version of their command control (DCS) called Proto-Sound 3.0 which, as far as I can understand, eliminates any problem with different power supplies or frequency.  Apparently you place the loco on the track and it figures out what power is available to it- AC/DC- and makes it’s own adjustments!  Very clever stuff!!  So railroaders in non-US countries can now confidently buy locos and know that they’ll perform properly!!  Well done MTH!!  Possibly the other leading manufacturers like Lionel and Atlas will follow suit, if they haven’t already, but where recent trains are concerned I’m just much more familiar with the MTH brand.

All of which is an incredibly long-winded introduction to my latest purchase for the Trainbarn, which is an MTH Railking Great Northern Railway RS-3 diesel locomotive!!  The Railking sub-brand is a slightly less detailed version of the loco, versus MTH’s Premier line, but it’s still a superb model, and somewhat cheaper!!  It literally has all the bells and whistles- well horns- of all the Proto-Sound 3.0 locomotives, so will be really fun to operate.  While I’m primarily a steam train fan, I really enjoy the sound of the older diesels too.  The engine sound is an accurate digital recording of a real Alco RS-3, which have quite a distinctive sound.  This loco will look very much at home pulling a string of Pacific Northwest area freight cars, with an appropriate GN caboose on the end, which I already have. Eventually I’ll have to make LOTS of scale Douglas Fir (Oregon) trees too, for the trains to run through!!  Can’t wait!!