Agree with Paul right up until the end of his post, and there we part ways. Although I will probably never have the guts to try P64, I applaud any effort to replicate as exactly as possible any aspect of the prototype!
Fred Tolhurst Maryville, TN -----Original Message----- From: Paul Vaughn <[email protected]> To: S-Scale <[email protected]> Sent: Fri, Jul 5, 2013 3:05 pm Subject: {S-Scale List} Re: Wheel standards Hi all: You have hit on a dear spot for me. Just a note that you can run code 88 thru code 110 on the same track IF all wheel sets have the same check gage! No new standards need to be generated. I use all three wheel sents on my own layout (codes 88, 93 & 110). They all use the same check gage. Also, PBL is not the only manufacture of wheel sets. NWSL and Precision Vintage Classics (PVC) also do code 88 & 110 wheel sets. NWSL will do Sn3 & S for you, PVC has Sn3 with special requests for S. As far as I know PVC is the manufacture that checks for the correct check gage before sending wheel sets out or checking them before putting them in their kits. Remember the Track and Wheel check gages MUST be Equal, as a set dimension! But, only if you trouble free operation thru track switches. Both the NMRA and the NASG have the primary purpose of Interchange between models and layouts. I.E. I can take my stuff to your layout and have a reasonable expectation of the equipment working correctly. Creating P64, P48, P87 etc. only creates as bunch of elitists who don't care if their equipment works on your layout or not. My opinion. I suggest you check the check gage of every wheel set before running it on your layout reguardless of the manufacture of the wheel set! S or Sn3 doesn't matter, check them. I hope this will help. Paul Vaughn 1st NMRA Sn3 Standards Chairman 1980-1982 Cc: Talmadge C 'TC' Carr <[email protected]> Sent: Friday, July 5, 2013 10:09 AM Subject: {S-Scale List} Wheel standards HI Bill --- First, I think there is a problem with terminology. P64 used to imply an exact miniaturizing of the real wheel and rail specifications, but now seems to include the current scale S (code 88 through 110) wheel profile. My opinion is that the P64 designation be dropped, and the standards are either NASG/NMRA (RP 25) or 3/16 AAR (for the exact copy). If there is to be another set of standards it ought to be known as Extra Fine scale. I have to agree that the current standards for “regular” scale S are just dandy and don’t need to be messed with. As Bill Peter is virtually the only Sn3 manufacturer, and his stuff is as good as it gets, making any changes is both inconvenient and polishing the deck chairs on the Titanic. I hope I haven’t muddied the water here ... Bill Winans NMRA 1750
