A TYPICAL
PROTOTYPE BOX CAR
SHOWN BETWEEN
TWO SIMILAR "Out of the Box" HO SCALE MODELS
The left hand
model has NMRA standard code
110 wheels while the right hand has Proto:87 wheels.
No painting, retouching or "weathering" has been done to either
car.
Which car do you think already "Looks Right" ?
Fortunately, for well laid HO track, this near scale transformation can quickly and easily be achieved by merely changing the "frogs" and "guard rails' at the Switches. Even "RTR" track can be converted!
Again, the "Regular HO" is on the Left and the "Proto:87" on the Right.
Here we see the effect of replacing the frogs and guard rails with easily made or in-expensive "drop-in" Proto:87 replacement parts on a standard Shinohara Switch. Not only does this ensure proper and reliable operation, but now even a typical "RTR" switch now also looks much more realistic, just like the wheels.
You don't need to be highly skilled or an experienced scratchbuilder to have and enjoy PROTO:87.
OUR RAPIDLY EXPANDING RANGE OF "STATE OF THE ART" PRECISION KITS AND PARTS ARE SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED TO MAKE MODERN DIESEL RAILROAD MODELING IN PROTO:87 AS EASY AS MODELING TO A HIGH STANDARD IN REGULAR HO.
In fact many of our exciting new E-Z Rider tm truck suspension units and Ultimate tm realism track parts are already a big hit with Modelers in both Regular HO and Proto:87 and can be used for either.
SO HOW WELL DOES PROTO:87 RUN?
It can't possible work reliably with those tiny flanges can it? It's just common sense, right?
Actually, PROTO:87 is FULLY AND PROPERLY ENGINEERED to WORK JUST AS WELL as REGULAR HO in almost all circumstances. For example, you can now even watch a short Demo Movie of some Proto:87 boxcars traveling completely reliably at ridiculously high speeds around much sharper than toy train radius curves!
Don't take our word for it. If you have a fast internet connection, you can view or down load a short movie showing just how amazing Proto:87 Trackholding can be! (You can also download with a 56K modem dial-up service, but it will take about a hour to complete).
Find out more about the growing PROTO:87 Movement and the PROTO:87 Standards from the PROTO:87 SIG site on the WEB at: http://www.proto87.org We are soon starting our own PHOTO GALLERY and welcome your contributions if you have pictures you would like us to display. You can also see many other outstanding Models and photographs at Club Proto-87. You can also view John Wright's "Federal Street", which has been featured in the May 2003 "Model Railroader". If you have questions you would like to ask many fellow modelers, there is an email list you can join at proto87@yahoogroups.com. We glady accept brief telephone questions in the evening up to 9.00pm California time. Please leave us a message at +1 (408) 656-2851 for a call back. And of course, you are invited to email us at: P87Stores@intelegence.com with any specific one-on-one questions or to place an order.