A veteran of N scale forum, but, new to this Trainboard Forum

[Calzephyr]

This is the first time I noticed that there was a section for Narrow Gauge.

I really don't have much narrow gauge stuff. It's pretty much a small collection for 'show' in my case. Nn3 and HOn3 Micro-trains stuff so far... and not likely any other maker. I don't have any motive power for any of the narrow gauge. Nn3 stuff is prohibitively expensive... and... I don't know much about HOn3 stuff yet. Any clues on where to get some good (not expensive) HOn3 motive power? What do you guys do with your Narrow Gauge stuff... run or collect?

[Conrailrad]

HOn3 motive power that is not expensive is hard to find. The best thing to do is go to swap meets if you are looking for HOn3. Why not change to On30? Bachmann makes motive power that is reasonable in price. I am currently building an On30 layout. I still model in N scale, but I wanted something larger and with more emphasis on detail.

[r_i_straw]

I run all mine. I have both HOn3 and Nn3. Only one HOn3 engine but I have three Nn3 steamers.

[BoxcabE50]

HOn3 motive power that is not expensive is hard to find.

So very true. HOn3 and Sn3 are pricey! As is On2. Most power, if not all, is brass. Thus= Big $$$$!!! That's B-I-G $!

Kadee has introduced a nice line of HOn3 freight cars......

Another avenue to explore is HOn30. Which emulates Maine Two Foot, or 30" RR using N scale track. Lots of stuff available there! Check out http://www.hon30.org/ for more info.

Magazines. Take a look at Narrow Gauge & Short Line Gazette, and also Colorado Narrow Gauge Quarterly.

:D

Boxcab E50

[JCater]

I have tried to model narrow guage all my life in one form or another. My layouts had the feel of narrow lines, but were generally just dressed up standard lines. With the advent of On30 suddenly narrow guage was in my price range, and so here I am. My son's and I have started a layout and all I can say is it is great.
John

[Calzephyr]

Based on your replies... it seems that the narrow gauge HOn30 is not particularly well populated with motive power... unless you're going to spends $100's or $1,000's for it. I only got into HOn30 recently due to the Micro-Trains releases... but... it seems now that these may just become more collectable shelf queens.

[BoxcabE50]

Based on your replies... it seems that the narrow gauge HOn30 is not particularly well populated with motive power... unless you're going to spends $100's or $1,000's for it. I only got into HOn30 recently due to the Micro-Trains releases... but... it seems now that these may just become more collectable shelf queens.

I believe you've added an extra numeral. That should be HOn3. Not HOn30.

Kadee does the HO and HOn3 scale cars. Plus couplers in all scales, except N and Z. Micro-Trains does the N and Z scale. Neither does any HOn30. Although Kadee has been approached about doing HOn30, to date, they have declined. :cry:

:sad:

Boxcab E50

[JCater]

HOn3 is tough...I would love to do it as it has been around a really long time, thus is well established...BUT the cost to me was unacceptable. The On30 stuff is affordable and hey...comes with really pretty decent couplers (remember the days of out of the box horn and hook couplers...ugghh!).
John

[BoxcabE50]

(remember the days of out of the box horn and hook couplers...ugghh!).

Unfortunately. I've thought for many years, to a certain extent, these actually held back the hobby.

:omg:

Boxcab E50

[JCater]

Unfortunately. I've thought for many years, to a certain extent, these actually held back the hobby.

:omg:

Boxcab E50

Boy I hated using those things...no chance at anything but 0-5-0 switching (also known as five finger switching :) ).
John

[BoxcabE50]

And the uncoupling ramps for horn hooks often simply derailed cars.

Then I've also wondered about other couplers. Such as those used by John Allen. Believe their brand name was Baker? He was such a notable pioneer, and so many folks emulated his work. Yet those never caught on.

:confused:

Boxcab E50

[JCater]

I believe Baker is right. John Allen was years ahead of his time and I still find a lot of value in his work.
John

[BoxcabE50]

I like how John would work diligently, to replicate reality. Scenery. Details. But yet so much was tongue-in-cheek. Whimsical. Like the Sorfeetz Brothers. Perhaps what makes On30 attractive as well.

I have The Book. A softcover 1st edition. Which is treasured. And gently used.

:D

Boxcab E50

[JCater]

Yeah, you know I had a copy of the book also but sadly it was destroyed along with other materials in a house flood several years ago. John has been my main inspiration with regard to modeling. His scenery was (and is) unparalleled and I think anyone who has ever been in this hobby has been influenced in one way or another by his work. This is why On30 is attractive to me because I can now afford REAL narrow guage and can apply the techniques I have learned from veterans as well as the things I have picked up along the way.
John

[BoxcabE50]

There is a down side to The Book. It's not simply a pick it up, and take a glance thing. You start reading, and time flies by. Hard to set it back down. No matter how many times......

:D

Boxcab E50

[JCater]

There is always something new, or a new application for an old idea...
John

[BoxcabE50]

Much of what he did, seems to be timeless. Won't diminish in value, for some time to come. As was Frank Ellison during his time, John Allen was the anchor, for this current generation of model railroading. I still marvel at the scenery he built. Had I ever been there in person, believe I'd have been stunned speechless.

:D

Boxcab E50

[JCater]

I often am still stunned...especially when I can replicate something he did using today's technology.
John