Fellow O Scalers, I want to let you all know that I've agreed to serve as the O Scale Coordinator for the NMRA Standards Committee.

While I model in O Scale 2 rail standard (1 1/2" gauge), the NRMA standards also include various O Scale narrow gauges.

The objective for standards is not to dictate but rather strive for maximizing the inter-operabilty of O scale track and equipment. In some ways its much like the AAR standards for prototype railroads.

One basic concern is for compatibility of wheels and track. It covers couplers and coupler heights as well. This hobby gains its greatest measure of satisfaction when products from various makers work well together.

O scale is in its widest market share ever, with a great many new products and a wide variety of cars and locomotives to choose from a number of importers and makers. But within this growth lurks the need for wheels, track and couplers that WILL work with each other, without the added expense of changing them.

As it was in the 1930's when the NMRA standards were first developed, it's a maker's option to use or not. Yet such standards are the practical outcome to assure the greatest utility and interchange for the modelers who buy these products.

For a while, carrying the NMRA Certficiate of Compliance was a badge of honor worn well by many competitors up through the 1950's. It assured a modeler that this poroduct would work with any track or other models built to NMRA standards.

Even now as O scale standards are being updated, it is important to hear from the modelers who make use of track and the equipment that rolls on it. Standards need regular review and updating as the hobby grows in refinement.

So do let me know of any questions or suggestions you have regarding the NMRA standards. However I do suggest a few simple ground rules:

1 - Be as concise and brief as possible. Geniune criticism requires constructive comment or suggestion as well.

2 - Please address one subject at at time as I may need to refer the issue to someone else. Send a second note for another subject, etc.

3 - Your e-mail address is needed for a reply, so direct e-mail to me is best.

4 - I'm not here to badger manufacturers who may not follow the NMRA standards. That duty falls upon all of us, as buyers.

5 - I'm not doing this to hear complaints about the NMRA in general. My volunteering to do this is for the Standards Committee only.

Thank you all,

Edward F. Bommer
OSK/223

Hello Ed,
You have a hard task ahead of you and I want to thank you. I hope all of OGR Forum members will make positive comments and ideas to you.

My thought is you should have an overall coordinator, then have a team for each of the forums, 3R, 3RS, 2R, Tinplate, and O-narrow gauge. These teams should be made up of active members in each of the above, as they would be most familar with the standards they need.

Ok, My suggestion for narrow gauge is, RP 25 wheels, 3/4 inch for On3, and use HO gauge for ON30. Also, DCC ready or capable.

I imagine coupler height be maintained as it is, on Bachmann rolling stock, or convertable to Bachmann standards.

Now I hope all of our NG Forum members help you out.

Al

Ed, wow, you have 1 1/2" gauge O-scale track? Sorry, I couldn't let that one go!

I like the On3 standards exactly as they are. If anything, perhaps a revision of the weight, but I have had fine results with the present weight rp.

Considering how 2-rail and 3-rail have converged in prototype fidelity, it certainly seems like the time for the wheels to get better.

Michael