Kalmbach_Model_Railroader_Getting_Started_In_Proto_87_modelling.pdf

PRODUCTS

I NFORMATION S TATION

Proto:87 modeling

Getting started in

a Maine

Planning a “no room

for a layout” layout

project layouts built over the years

have assumed many shapes and

sizes, and several have introduced new

concepts and techniques. This project

layout is one of the smallest yet, and

the first to be conceived and executed

outside the United States.

Those of us living outside the U. S.

have had to become adept at squeezing

a lot of visual and operational interest

into very small layouts. Many of our

layouts are also portable and make use

of lightweight construction materials.

These are all concepts relevant to a

growing number of U. S. modelers.

Our Roque Bluffs (pronounced

“rock bluffs”) project layout has a U. S.

setting but explores many European

layout ideas, including the use of

Proto:87 (P:87) HO track and wheel

standards that are closer to actual 1:87

scale prototype dimensions. P:87 is also

similar to the British Protofour system.

Commercial P:87 products, notably

NorthWest Short Line’s superb wheels,

are now widely available, and most

aspects of fine-scale modeling can be

By Iain Rice

Photos by the author

A small la yout y ou can build

Roque Bluffs,

T he various M ODEL R AILROADER