Grande Barbosa Page 2

      It’s been quite a while since my last installment. I hope to make additions more frequently in the future starting with this one.

      I plan on making this area of the website a sort of clearing-house of information on my work in Gn15. Let me define my Gn15 here. G scale can be a little nebulous and all encompassing. Most people think of tiny models built to a large scale that can run on 6” radius trackwork. My models are built to 1:24 scale or ½” = 1’-0”. This is a very common model automotive scale. The track gauge is a nominal scale 15”. My equipment is really too large to run on tracks of this gauge but it is what is available so that’s what I use. My models are closer to at least 18” gauge. The minimum radius that I use is 24”. What all this gibberish means is I am representing 18” gauge on actual 15” gauge trackage. OK, that’s enough technical stuff for right now!

      On this page and future pages I will cover the island railroad itself as well as structures, scenery and rolling stock. There will be a section showing what items will be available from me as far as detail castings and the like. This series of castings were basically made for my own use, however, I will make small batches available to those who want them. All of this will be on a very limited scope and generally available for only a short time after announcement or until the small supply runs out.

      The companion piece to the series here is a column in Light Iron Digest that features building and bashing motive power in Gn15. As I type this entry I am starting the second loco in the series. There is also a companion book entitled Gn15 Plan Book that features a collection of scale drawings for large scale minimum gauge locos which is shown elsewhere on this site. This book will give you an idea of what can be done in Gn15 as I see it. True, my view is different from the norm!

      The photos represented here show some of my initial work in this scale. All models are built from styrene with additions of metal, wood and resin castings where appropriate. The saddle tank on the 0-6-0T is a Hydrocal casting! It is heavy and is in a position of no stress. I have used mechanisms or chassis from HO and On30 locomotives such as Model Power, Black Beetle and Bachmann. For specific details of construction of both steamers please refer to my column in Light Iron Digest.

      From time to time I will introduce a new kit for Gn15. The next upcoming example is the Storage Battery Loco.