Whether to have a small narrow gauge section in the retirement layout is what I'm pondering now. First I have some passenger stuff converted to Nn3 and about 14 Z scale boxcars that I had intended to make into Nn3 logging flats plus a few more Nn3 cars and cabooses. Also some track and a few switches in Z scale. No locos yet. However I do have two of the older Z scale F7s to power some Nn3 Climax kits, not purchased yet, and a mechanism and shell kit for a 2-6-0. Looking at the logistics I would need more track than I have, a separate power supply and I would really like a small section of dual guage, its out there, just hard to find, especially switches. Plus the cost of investing in the kits for the Climax locos and other costs. Then there is the old eyesight factor dealing with the smaller mechanisms not to mention I'm not getting any younger. On the other hand I already have a small fleet of N scale locos. 2 Shays, 2 Class A Climaxes, several rod engines, including a 2-6-6-0, and a small fleet of critters ranging from the 70 tonner down. Also included in all this is a large fleet of logging cars, disconnects, camp cars, and assorted other cars all in N scale of course. My original thoughts were to have a small narrow gauge logging show feeding a sawmill and some dual gauge trackage for interchange only at the mill. With the mixing of power needs, especially in the dual gauge territory, and the added expense of acquirring further Nn3 stuff I'm wavering at staying all standard gauge. So opinions, comments?
Hey John, I didn't realize that you were just up the road a bit (I'm out near Dulles). Sounds like a neat setup. The guys over at Fast Tracks have a section for Nn3 dual-gauge track templates but for some reason nothing comes up in the listing. Maybe that's the way to go. I mean, if MC's 9-year-old daughter can hand-lay switches, then so can we! Also, if you get overloaded with standard-gauge N-scale locomotives, I'll be there to help you out. :tb-wink:
Just check out all Republic Locomotive Works has to offer. I'm definitely going Nn3 at some point. At X2011 / NTS there was an Nn3 modular group. Great trackwork, engines, cars, all! The greatest expense seems to be the motors. Otherwise, there are a bunch of standard / NG interchanges that would be great to model! (even working on an article about them). I say go for the Nn3! Very dynamic juxtapostion with your standard stuff. Doesn't have to be a huge part of your layout, but where they meet will be a real eye-catcher.
Go with the Nn3, you will like it. As for engine I have all the in stock ASPEN stuff at 10% off this month. They sure do look great and run as good. don't know how long I can keep it up with the Euro going up and Dollar going down and I hear Aspen is thinking of a increase here soon because of it. rich www.rslaserkits.com
The Nn3 locomotive market is ripe for the taking... assuming a major company would dedicate themselves to the construction of quality RTR models AT AN INEXPENSIVE ENOUGH price point to draw some borderline N scalers to dabble into the Nn3 field. In 2002 at the NTS in Ft Lauderdale FL, I was moments away from buying an RTR Aspen Model Mudhen (K-27) for about $750.00. I felt it was just too expensive for a model at that time, now its double that price... ouch!!! Micro-Trains imported some Lok-14 2-8-2's (K27 Mudhen) in the mid-1990's for about $475.00... couldn't afford them at that time... OUCH!!!
From the lists you give, you are well on your way to Nn3 already. Unless you are planning/already have an additional larger standard gauge logging operation, consider selling off some of the N stuff that you have assembled for that. That I think easily puts you in reach of more track, power supply, etc. Or just clears the decks. Trees, now that's another matter . . . You've got the bashing/modeling chops, we know that. You're still dealing with N body details and scenery here.
I saw what I think was an Aspen Nn3 Rio Grande steamer in an LHS in Munich when I was there in 2008 but I would have had to cash in my airline ticket home to buy it. I wish MTL would use a bit of logic and do affordable Nn3 locomotives and track, their line of excellent and reasonably priced Nn3 freight cars always seems rather pointless to me without anything to pull them or run them on.
I totally agree the Nn3 market could explode with the introduction of an affordable loco. *cough* K-27 *cough* I got the pleasure to meet Rich and see his imported Aspen Nn3 locos on display at the National Train Show last month. It's a good thing I didn't have the cash in my pocket, otherwise that would have been Rich's easiest sale. Although, its too bad I didn't have the cash in my pocket... (I REALLY REALLY want one!) Speaking of the NTS, I also stopped by the MTL booth and asked about their Nn3 products. Specifically, why they make Nn3 cars when there's nothing affordable to pull them with. The rep said they had no plans for anything, but did say that was one of the most asked questions of the day. So, to Nn3 or not? Definitely yes!
True. But today you're lucky to get a used one for under $800. http://cgi.ebay.com/Nn3-Z-MTL15904-...105189?pt=Model_RR_Trains&hash=item2c5c89f1a5
I also have looked to those nice, little cars - or was it HOn3? Anyway, I also saw the prices of narrow gauge engines, and that prevents me from buying anything.
I have looked at it several times. The big obstacle I keep running up against is the cost of the mechanisms that you then need to hack up just to outfit with a kit. It may be a function of the dollar being weak against the euro, but that $300+ price tag for a donor mechanism gives me pause every time. Recently, I have become aware of Z scale power chassis that may work out well for a project. It's called the Z Thek - http://www.stonebridgemodels.com/locomotives/index.html . This has me thinking about it again. The wheelbase is 11mm, which works out to about 5'-9". This could be the drive mechanism, perhaps, of a really cool kitbashed railbus.
So, when did all of you guys win the Lottery or Powerball!!!! I can't tell you the exact amount of drool I left at Tex N Rails before they closed retail doors on the Aspen stuff on display there. But I always left with the feeling I had when i visited the Lamborghini dealership!!!! Ken "FloridaBoy" Willaman
Nice discussion of some of the pros and cons, which is why I posted this in the first place, to gather some ideas and thoughts. First of all I'm very familar with Republic and the 2-6-0 mechanism and kit is from there. The MT F7s are from a sale at a LHS going out of business that I basically got for a song and dance. Same with the stock of MT Z scale boxcars which I again got at vary reduced prices, and the idea at the time of making them into logging flats. Then I inherited a stock of Z scale and N scale parts from a Master Model Railroader that was working at the shop at the time and changing scales to HOn3. All the while toying with the idea I also acquired some track and switches in Z. Most of what I envision is a small feeder to a sawmill only from the logging area. Now the area nobody has given any thought to is the dual gauge track area. Small but a significant piece. Dealing with the power issues. A simple loading platform where both narrow gauge and standard gauge can interchange loads and maybe an outbound track from the mill for the finished products. This section of track would be used by both guages thus the power considerations. Not a problem for the N locos with the lower voltage, 9 volt but a problem for the Nn3 stuff without some clever way to route and assign power in this area. So I still ponder. My layout is still going to be the SP&S with some GN power running over it. Most all of my logging lines will be standard gauge. A couple of the modules I built would probably benefit from going to Nn3 tracks which is what has me thinking this way. The track to the spar unloader and the mill loading dock would change to Nn3. The track serving the chip loader would be dual gauge to accomodate standard gauge wood chip cars and allow the mill switcher to spot cars and take them to the outbound track. This is an overhead shot showing that area. The loading platform and lumber storage area, along with the interchange would be another module area. So in a sense I'm a little ahead of the curve in that I have some of the expensive stuff on board except for the body kits for the Climax Class A locos. I only envision having three locos in this operation, maybe a fourth if I feel lucky enought to try the Bmann 4-4-0 conversion again. The first was a disaster with the parts residing in the bin. I did have a nice outcome building some of my own passenger cars by cutting down and sectioning some old Bmann stuff. Have a small fleet of these, got carried away again. And even built a few boxcars by laminating styrene car siding onto a wood piece and then getting into my parts box for the other details. However the electrical is an issue for me in the area of the dual guage. And before somebody gets carried away with the killerwatt thing my knowledge of things electrical consists of turning on the switch to get light. And changing a light bulb consists of getting four members of congress, three to hold up the fourth, and hold the bulb, while the others walk in a circle, hopefully the same direction. Then again I can stay all standard gauge, sell off all the stuff on EBay and probably get enough out of it to buy 2 or 3 more Atlas Shays.
