12” gauge DRGW Inspired RR
Posted: Fri May 14, 2021 12:43 am
While not new to this forum, and having ghosted over the last several years more than actively participating, I’d like to formally interduce myself and my plan for a 12” gauge RR.
Have to blame it on Ryan for asking why I don’t have a build page started. Mostly because progress is slooow!
This forum and some of the members here have been an informative source of information and inspiration for my build. Thanks
MY name is Curtiss Scott, currently living in North Central Arkansas. Little background on myself, 44yrs old, married with 6 children.”Kids” What more reason is there to build a backyard RR? LOL!
I have loved trains since I was a small child. Grew up on the family farm that happened to have 1.5 miles of Frisco/BN/BNSF tracks running through the farm. Roughly 25yrs in wood working and residential construction. Unfortunately outside of a welding class, I very little metal working experience. Something I’m having to learn quickly as my RR project kicks off.
I’ve been
10yrs back. the late Scott Weatherford of Scott’s Trains induced me to 1/8th scale RRing. His first shop and 7.5” RR was just a few miles down the road. He had a big influence in my decision to get into large scale trains.
However, I really like the idea of a railroad
with trains big enough to ride in, not on.
We all know what that means, lots of $$$!
And I’ve got to do this on a poor mans budget.
Few years ago I began researching scales bigger than 1:8 , 2.5”, 3.75”, 12” gauge even 15”gauge. Wanting something more stable on the rails than the widely used 7.5” gauge.
I really like the idea of building a narrow gauge railroad patterned after the DRGW. Narrow gauge is perfect since I have so much wood working experience. While searching I came across the 9” gauge Mesa Grande Western RR in California. Wow! What a source of inspiration for my RR.
The Mesa Grande became the ideal RR to base mine off of.
With much debate on whether to go with 3”, or 3.75” scale, along with what track gauge 9” or possibly a wider 12” gauge,
I settled on a 12” gauge track with a 3”scale +8% train. Eccenually the loco and rail cars are built slightly wider, and longer to keep the NG look on a wider gauge track.
There are several reasons for this decision.
The thought behind selecting 3”+ 8% scale as a base, is because of the wheels I acquired are all 8.25” in diameter. Also this makes the cars big enough to ride in, plus measurements easier.
Regarding going with a track gauge of 12”,
Cars are slightly wider for comfort, plus there are two 12” gauge RRs near by, the WF&P and Northview & Frisco.
The plan:
Firstly....... makes lots of $$$$
LoL!!!
To incorporate a 12” gauge RR with eventually 1500’ of track on my farm.
Track:
12lb rail will be used on 4x4 treated ties.
(Yes I’ve located several sources of used rail)
Graded road bed with 1” ballast.
Train:
A locomotive with 3 DRGW railcars and DRGW long caboose.
While I dream of owning a 3” scale C-19 live steam loco, I don’t think I’ll ever be in a position to do so.
Considered building a steam outline, but all the needed machining is to involve at this point.
So..... option two, a NG diesel locomotive.
While I’m a huge fan of NG steam, I have never like the NG diesels, except for the
SP#1 GE50tonner.
So the thought is to build a GE 50tonner, paint and letter it for the DRGW. Not to far from reality since SP# has been running DRGW rails lately, at least that’s my justification.
The 50 tonner will be powered by a 12HP Kubota 424cc 2-cyl diesel, along with a HST transmission.
Railcars:
Build the Alamosa Trash Gon, two DRGW high side gons, and a (rider capable) drgw class 5 long caboose #0503.
As of todate;
I have acquired all 40 wheels (8.25” in diameter(
thanks to Todd Swann.
Have acquired the 50tonner sideframe, along with all the freight car sideframes,
Thanks to our own “rkcarguy”.
Recently purchased a Kubota G4200 lawn tractor t for the engine and HST.
Have the major construction is done on the 50tonner cab and longhood. Thanks to Creative Trains.
I’ve yet to get the loco frame and deck together, but I’ve got the loco side frames started and temporarily assembled.
I’m now roughly 2years into the build. I will share some photos of the progress I’ve made previously, and I will post every so often when there is note worthy accomplishment made or questions to be ask.
Have to blame it on Ryan for asking why I don’t have a build page started. Mostly because progress is slooow!
This forum and some of the members here have been an informative source of information and inspiration for my build. Thanks
MY name is Curtiss Scott, currently living in North Central Arkansas. Little background on myself, 44yrs old, married with 6 children.”Kids” What more reason is there to build a backyard RR? LOL!
I have loved trains since I was a small child. Grew up on the family farm that happened to have 1.5 miles of Frisco/BN/BNSF tracks running through the farm. Roughly 25yrs in wood working and residential construction. Unfortunately outside of a welding class, I very little metal working experience. Something I’m having to learn quickly as my RR project kicks off.
I’ve been
10yrs back. the late Scott Weatherford of Scott’s Trains induced me to 1/8th scale RRing. His first shop and 7.5” RR was just a few miles down the road. He had a big influence in my decision to get into large scale trains.
However, I really like the idea of a railroad
with trains big enough to ride in, not on.
We all know what that means, lots of $$$!
And I’ve got to do this on a poor mans budget.
Few years ago I began researching scales bigger than 1:8 , 2.5”, 3.75”, 12” gauge even 15”gauge. Wanting something more stable on the rails than the widely used 7.5” gauge.
I really like the idea of building a narrow gauge railroad patterned after the DRGW. Narrow gauge is perfect since I have so much wood working experience. While searching I came across the 9” gauge Mesa Grande Western RR in California. Wow! What a source of inspiration for my RR.
The Mesa Grande became the ideal RR to base mine off of.
With much debate on whether to go with 3”, or 3.75” scale, along with what track gauge 9” or possibly a wider 12” gauge,
I settled on a 12” gauge track with a 3”scale +8% train. Eccenually the loco and rail cars are built slightly wider, and longer to keep the NG look on a wider gauge track.
There are several reasons for this decision.
The thought behind selecting 3”+ 8% scale as a base, is because of the wheels I acquired are all 8.25” in diameter. Also this makes the cars big enough to ride in, plus measurements easier.
Regarding going with a track gauge of 12”,
Cars are slightly wider for comfort, plus there are two 12” gauge RRs near by, the WF&P and Northview & Frisco.
The plan:
Firstly....... makes lots of $$$$
LoL!!!
To incorporate a 12” gauge RR with eventually 1500’ of track on my farm.
Track:
12lb rail will be used on 4x4 treated ties.
(Yes I’ve located several sources of used rail)
Graded road bed with 1” ballast.
Train:
A locomotive with 3 DRGW railcars and DRGW long caboose.
While I dream of owning a 3” scale C-19 live steam loco, I don’t think I’ll ever be in a position to do so.
Considered building a steam outline, but all the needed machining is to involve at this point.
So..... option two, a NG diesel locomotive.
While I’m a huge fan of NG steam, I have never like the NG diesels, except for the
SP#1 GE50tonner.
So the thought is to build a GE 50tonner, paint and letter it for the DRGW. Not to far from reality since SP# has been running DRGW rails lately, at least that’s my justification.
The 50 tonner will be powered by a 12HP Kubota 424cc 2-cyl diesel, along with a HST transmission.
Railcars:
Build the Alamosa Trash Gon, two DRGW high side gons, and a (rider capable) drgw class 5 long caboose #0503.
As of todate;
I have acquired all 40 wheels (8.25” in diameter(
thanks to Todd Swann.
Have acquired the 50tonner sideframe, along with all the freight car sideframes,
Thanks to our own “rkcarguy”.
Recently purchased a Kubota G4200 lawn tractor t for the engine and HST.
Have the major construction is done on the 50tonner cab and longhood. Thanks to Creative Trains.
I’ve yet to get the loco frame and deck together, but I’ve got the loco side frames started and temporarily assembled.
I’m now roughly 2years into the build. I will share some photos of the progress I’ve made previously, and I will post every so often when there is note worthy accomplishment made or questions to be ask.