Norscot/ACMOC Model Program

Lee,

Thanks for the update. Those are some great choices!

Mark

Thanks a million for your hard work. I'm ready to order right now. The D-7 is an outstanding choice. Maybe down the road a Pan to go with it...

Could someone put in perspective what a D7 in 1:87 scale would look like. Approx. how big would it be?

Thanks,
Matt

Hi Matt,

Dave Tallon, in an email to me today indicated that the D7 with out the blade will be just under 2 inches long.

The D7C in 1:50 scale will be approximately 1/2 the size of the Military D7 model produced in the 1990's, just under 3.5 inches long with the blade.

Regards,
Lee

Thanks Lee, gives a good frame of reference. I should probably look around at this scale. Has ACMOC done models of this size in the past? I am wondering about the amount of detail. Would like it to be more realistic rather than a stocking stuffer toy. To better represent what we are about.

Matt

I believe the HO Scale model railroad gear is 1:87 scale. Check out their rolling stock/accessories at a hobby shop. Our 'local' one is in Tehachapi, CA (approx 30 mi away).

Daron

They already make a #12 in 1/87, and a 627G scraper and a few others...the #12 that is already out has a cab on it, is all....
http://www.hobbylinc.com/htm/nrs/nrs55173.htm
There are more at the bottom of the page. I think the #12 is the only vintage item as yet.
1/48=O scale
1/64=S scale
1/87= HO or "half O" scale
I think G scale is either 1/12th or 1/25th.
The detail level, even in tiny N scale, is light years ahead of what it was 10 years ago, if the mfg. cares to go that far. I've seen an N scale EMD E unit that has sequential throttle sound, air brake release, variable intensity lighting, engine shut down bells, and even the air starter. Unbelievable....

Alan

Matt, Alan, and Daron,

Alan has already mentioned it, but yes, Norscot and ACMOC have worked together on the #12 in 1:87 scale. Removing the cab will put another variation in the market place.

The smaller the scale, the more difficult it is to add details, or more specifically accurate details.

CCM has produced some 1:87 models with an incredible amount of detail. But, a 1-inch hydraulic line or grab rail scales down to .011-inch diameter wire. No matter how careful the manufacturer is to put a small wire in the right place, it can get bent during shipping and during handling by the customer. Even in the 1:50 scale, where the wire diameter would be .020 inches, it is still a problem.

The 1:87 scale models in the Norscot line are to help them serve the HO scale railroad market. Dave Tallon will work with Norscot to get an acceptable level of detail. In the past, Norscot has proposed a smaller model (I think it was 1:135) as stocking stuffers. The detail was left to the imagination of the customer in this scale. We chose to avoid this scale in the ACMOC models for the same reason Matt mentions. The 1:135 scale can be utilized acceptably if a modern, styled, machine is being modeled. But if it were to be used on a Sixty where there is no hood and the engine details are critical to collectors like us, it doesn’t work.

Regards,
Lee

The give away D7E electric drive dozer, which I got at the Cat booth at Conexpo '08, was smaller than HO, a little bigger than N, and pretty crude. At least it was free, however! If anybody remembers the "Mini-movers" line made by Roco and marketed by AHM in the 60's and early 70's, in 1/87th scale, they were pretty simple and lightly detailed. Not bad, but more toylike than model quality.
Alan