Buying O Scale gift for friend - help!

[AnthonyPaulO]

I have a friend who loves trains, absolutely loves them, but he won't spend money to indulge himself in this hobby so I'm going to start him off. He has a family member that makes O scale models, and I've read good things about this scale so I'm sticking with it. Given that this scale is quality oriented, I was looking around for what most model rr people would call the most beautiful model(s) of all but unfortunately I can't find much on this topic. What I did find were a few pages that claimed that the Southern ps-4 (as in the 1401 type in the Smithsonian) was arguably the most beautiful of the steam locomotives. Now from some research I've done I've concluded that Atlas O Master seems to be top of the line where quality is concerned so I'm looking for a ps-4 Atlas O Master but can't find one. Does anyone know if it was ever made, or if there is an high quality alternative? I would also appreciate some advice on how to purchase these type of models... I would like him to have the option of sounds and command control but I don't know if I have to choose specific models that support these techs or if they are independent of the models.

Many thanks!

[Cjcrescent]

Originally Posted by AnthonyPaulO

... What I did find were a few pages that claimed that the Southern ps-4 (as in the 1401 type in the Smithsonian) was arguably the most beautiful of the steam locomotives. Now from some research I've done I've concluded that Atlas O Master seems to be top of the line where quality is concerned so I'm looking for a ps-4 Atlas O Master but can't find one. Does anyone know if it was ever made, or if there is an high quality alternative? ...

Many thanks!

Unfortunately, IIRC, the only models of the Ps-4 made in O scale were in brass. One was a kit by Central Locomotive Works, which required a great deal of skill to build. It is no longer available from the company, unless they have some on the shelves. The other was an import from Precision Scale Company, and that was imported many years ago, and is no longer in their line. I do not know if there is one available in O gauge, (3 rail).

Your best bet would be to check on E-bay in the O scale category, under toys and hobbies, model trains. You may find one for sale. These will not be cheap by any means, as they will probable go for a $1000 if not alot more.

But I do have to agree with you, the Ps-4 is the most beautiful steamer.

Edit; There is currently a Lionel Ps-4 on E-bay. This is 3-rail O-gauge. It has a buy it now price of $1094.00. It seems that what I said about pricing may even be a little on the low side.

[UPBigBoy]

Does he have any railroad equipment at this time? If he does it would be better to find out now so you can get him something that is in the scale he has now or find out what scale he is interested in.

Jim

[Iron Horseman]

Originally Posted by AnthonyPaulO

I have a friend who loves trains, absolutely loves them, but he won't spend money to indulge himself in this hobby so I'm going to start him off. He has a family member that makes O scale models, and I've read good things about this scale so I'm sticking with it. Given that this scale is quality oriented, I was looking around for what most model rr people would call the most beautiful model(s) of all but unfortunately I can't find much on this topic. What I did find were a few pages that claimed that the Southern ps-4 (as in the 1401 type in the Smithsonian) was arguably the most beautiful of the steam locomotives. Now from some research I've done I've concluded that Atlas O Master seems to be top of the line where quality is concerned so I'm looking for a ps-4 Atlas O Master but can't find one. Does anyone know if it was ever made, or if there is an high quality alternative? I would also appreciate some advice on how to purchase these type of models... I would like him to have the option of sounds and command control but I don't know if I have to choose specific models that support these techs or if they are independent of the models.

As the others have already said you are not going to find a PS-4 done by Atlas. With Atlas the locomotive will have to be a Diesel. Personally I really like the Alco RS-1 they just announced. I like the New York Central Dreyfuss Hudsons were some of the best looking steamers, followed closely by the Southern Pacific GS-4s. But beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

I presume from your note above you understand the difference between O-Scale (two rail) and O-Gauge (three rail) trains. If not that might be a big thing to stop and consider. There will be a whole lot more selection in the O-Gauge world.

Then there is another consideration and that is the age of the model. A Southern PS-4 is from the steam era, so other equipment used would have to match that. I guess I am saying it would look silly to be pulling some modern double stack freight cars behind a steamer. Likewise an Atlas Dash 8-40 CW would look silly pulling box cars with roof walks on them.....

Do you have any idea the era or age of the trains your friend likes?

[AnthonyPaulO]

Originally Posted by Cjcrescent

Unfortunately, IIRC, the only models of the Ps-4 made in O scale were in brass. One was a kit by Central Locomotive Works, which required a great deal of skill to build. It is no longer available from the company, unless they have some on the shelves. The other was an import from Precision Scale Company, and that was imported many years ago, and is no longer in their line. I do not know if there is one available in O gauge, (3 rail).

Your best bet would be to check on E-bay in the O scale category, under toys and hobbies, model trains. You may find one for sale. These will not be cheap by any means, as they will probable go for a $1000 if not alot more.

But I do have to agree with you, the Ps-4 is the most beautiful steamer.

Edit; There is currently a Lionel Ps-4 on E-bay. This is 3-rail O-gauge. It has a buy it now price of $1094.00. It seems that what I said about pricing may even be a little on the low side.

Thanks for the info regarding the ps-4, very good to know! As for the Lionel, I don't mind the price, but it's O-gauge instead of O-scale, and from what I understand, Lionel doesn't make the most accurate scale models.

[AnthonyPaulO]

Originally Posted by UPBigBoy

Does he have any railroad equipment at this time? If he does it would be better to find out now so you can get him something that is in the scale he has now or find out what scale he is interested in.

Jim

He has no equipment at all because he's not one to indulge himself much, but I do know he loves trains and would definitely enjoy the hobby once I kick-start him into it. He seems to me the type that would value quality and being as faithful to the original as possible, which is why I picked O scale and am currently looking for models produced with quality in mind, such as the Atlas O Master (gold?) series. If anyone has other manufacturer/series in mind that I should also be looking at, please let me know!

[AnthonyPaulO]

Originally Posted by Iron Horseman

As the others have already said you are not going to find a PS-4 done by Atlas. With Atlas the locomotive will have to be a Diesel. Personally I really like the Alco RS-1 they just announced. I like the New York Central Dreyfuss Hudsons were some of the best looking steamers, followed closely by the Southern Pacific GS-4s. But beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

I presume from your note above you understand the difference between O-Scale (two rail) and O-Gauge (three rail) trains. If not that might be a big thing to stop and consider. There will be a whole lot more selection in the O-Gauge world.

Then there is another consideration and that is the age of the model. A Southern PS-4 is from the steam era, so other equipment used would have to match that. I guess I am saying it would look silly to be pulling some modern double stack freight cars behind a steamer. Likewise an Atlas Dash 8-40 CW would look silly pulling box cars with roof walks on them.....

Do you have any idea the era or age of the trains your friend likes?

I have no idea which era he prefers so that's a good question. I am leaning towards the steam engines not because I have anything against diesels or electrics, but because there's something about the steam and the coal that adds a little something extra to the experience since it's that much farther removed from our day to day experience.

As for the Hudson, I really liked the non-streamlined New York Central Hudson, but it's really hard to find something you like in O scale (2-rail); I'm not looking into O gauge (3-rail) at all.

You mention Atlas being more of a Diesel specialist (nooooooooo!), so I'm all ears if there's some other manufacturers I should be looking at.

I've got to say that for a beginner like me who knows nothing about the hobby, I find it somewhat frustrating to find anything useful on the internet given that there's no one "supersite" I can go to for one-stop shopping; it seems that there's a plethora of small online shops, each with a website design/layout worse than the other, a lot of times just line after line of form-like text pages with nary an image of the model, intermingling the different scales/gauges and acronyms that I go cross-eyed trying to find anything. Other times there's just 3 locomotives for the scale I'm looking for. Sometimes the websites I go to don't even sell O scale models, and if they do it's really O gauge (3 rail). Another bridge to nowhere was when I read about something called the "Atlas O Master Gold" series, which I presume is the best of the best of the Atlas O lines, but I'll be damned if I could find the guide/pamphlet/brochure listing the different models and their cost. Does anyone have a link to it? The only thing I could find was Part 1 of the Atlas O Scale pdf document with perhaps a dozen or so models in it; surely this can't be everything they have in O scale?

So here I am, wondering if there's any advice you boys can give a green city wetback such as myself. Here's what I'm looking for...

I'm looking for an O scale (2-rail) steam locomotive - a quality/faithful reproduction (I can go as high as a grand or so) fully painted w/decals and sounds and actual steam/smoke effect if possible. Failing that, I would get a handsome diesel. Whatever I get would have to be compatible with TMCC for future-proofing. I guess I would have to get some track and power supplies so I'm hoping I can find a set that includes everything a beginner would need, but if that means skimping on quality then I'd rather get the pieces separately.

Any thoughts?

[UPBigBoy]

You've got to remember that 'O' scale is more of a British scale than North American, engines and rolling stock are going to be harder to find. Maybe see if your friend would be better interested in HO scale as this is probably the most popular scale over here. 'O' Gauge was very popular prior to HO scale coming onto the market in any real force.

If his heart is set on 'O' Scale you might be better to search the internet on British hobby shops and look on ebay.uk rather than looking on ebay.com/ca.

Just my opinion.

Jim

[AnthonyPaulO]

Unfortunately the smaller you go the less detailed the models will be, and (to me) it would seem that O scale strikes just the right balance between details and real-estate. I would think HO too small, but please correct me on this as I have no real frame of reference; I'm only basing myself on what I've read on the internet, and you should always believe what you read on the internet! :P

Also, O gauge track with it's third rail is an eyesore to those with an eye for faithful reproductions, but unfortunately it's a lot more common than O scale (2 rail) track, so that complicates matters even more. Last night I came across this guys page and got all excited only to find he uses O gauge. Bummer. I guess even to hardcore hobbyists like him, the convenience of a 3-rail system trumps the faithfulness of the 2-rail. This really caught me by surprise.

Anyone have any links to O scale/o27 sites? Or perhaps I should go HO due to its scarcity?

[UPBigBoy]

Originally Posted by AnthonyPaulO

Unfortunately the smaller you go the less detailed the models will be, and (to me) it would seem that O scale strikes just the right balance between details and real-estate. I would think HO too small, but please correct me on this as I have no real frame of reference; I'm only basing myself on what I've read on the internet, and you should always believe what you read on the internet! :P

Also, O gauge track with it's third rail is an eyesore to those with an eye for faithful reproductions, but unfortunately it's a lot more common than O scale (2 rail) track, so that complicates matters even more. Last night I came across this guys page and got all excited only to find he uses O gauge. Bummer. I guess even to hardcore hobbyists like him, the convenience of a 3-rail system trumps the faithfulness of the 2-rail. This really caught me by surprise.

Anyone have any links to O scale/o27 sites? Or perhaps I should go HO due to its scarcity?

'O' scale is only slightly bigger than HO. Have a look in the photo albums in photobucket, search model railroad and you can see how much detailing can be done to HO scale.

Jim