The NMRA does make an HOn3 track gauge nmra.org.
I have never seen HOn3 cork roadbed but N should work. It's what I plan to use for my Sn2 track.
There are several small manufacturers of HOn3 rolling stock see http://www.trainandtrooper.com/ for some. Also http://www.micro-trains.com/.
MDC used to make HOn3 engine kits before Horizon Hobbies bought them, there might still be some around.
Enjoy
Paul
The MDC HOn3 loco kits still show up from time to time on ebay. If you can, get the later ones with the small flywheel motor - they work better than the older ones with the open frame motors. Be prepared to spend a good deal of time putting them together and tinkering to get them to run just right.
In my brief "experiment" with HOn3 I used N scale cork roadbed and it worked just fine.
Be aware that shinohara track and switches are often hard to find (especially the switches).
Good luck,
George
"And the sons of Pullman porters and the sons of engineers ride their father's magic carpet made of steel..."
Jake
Believe it or not, there is too much to list unless you narrow down (pun intended) your particular interests. Do you need RTR? Are you interested in brass? Or are you a scratchbuilder looking for a set of plans? Or somewhere in between, as I suspect based on your comment about Fast Tracks turnouts?
In addition to MTL and Blackstone, PSC/MMI makes brass and die cast (respectively) locos in HOn3 (as well as On3/On30). They have car kits as well. Shays are available in brass, from MDC/Roundhouse via eBay, and Keystone. FED and Ken Kidder imported inexpensive small brass locos (4-4-0, 2-6-0, 0-4-0, 0-4-0T) that are relatively easy to regear/remotor/bash/detail into something special. These are readily available on eBay.
Rail Line, Grandt Line, Labelle, Rio Grande Models, Ye Olde Huff-n-Puff, Trout Creek, and many others I have missed - my apologies - make HOn3 car kits.
What era and prototype? Colorado 1930s obviously has the most being made for it, and is the most advertised. But there are plenty of us modeling other prototypes and eras.
If you are spiking down some Fast Track turnouts, you might want to avoid cork roadbed. My experiences with handlaid track and cork roadbed were horrible. The spike holding capabilities of cork are questionable to begin with, and non-existent after it starts to dry out and crumble. HOn3 wood ties don't really have enough size to hold your track in gauge and alignment by themselves over time, they need a stable roadbed underneath. Homasote, door skin (wood veneer), pine/basswood have all been used successfully for handlaid track. Pre-cut Homasote is available under the brand name Homabed.
Welcome to the wonderful world of 3ft modeling! You may find the Yahoo HOn3 group worth reading (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HOn3/).
just my thoughts, your choices
Fred W
fwright wrote: JakeBelieve it or not, there is too much to list unless you narrow down (pun intended) your particular interests. Do you need RTR? Are you interested in brass? Or are you a scratchbuilder looking for a set of plans? Or somewhere in between, as I suspect based on your comment about Fast Tracks turnouts?In addition to MTL and Blackstone, PSC/MMI makes brass and die cast (respectively) locos in HOn3 (as well as On3/On30). They have car kits as well. Shays are available in brass, from MDC/Roundhouse via eBay, and Keystone. FED and Ken Kidder imported inexpensive small brass locos (4-4-0, 2-6-0, 0-4-0, 0-4-0T) that are relatively easy to regear/remotor/bash/detail into something special. These are readily available on eBay.Rail Line, Grandt Line, Labelle, Rio Grande Models, Ye Olde Huff-n-Puff, Trout Creek, and many others I have missed - my apologies - make HOn3 car kits. What era and prototype? Colorado 1930s obviously has the most being made for it, and is the most advertised. But there are plenty of us modeling other prototypes and eras.If you are spiking down some Fast Track turnouts, you might want to avoid cork roadbed. My experiences with handlaid track and cork roadbed were horrible. The spike holding capabilities of cork are questionable to begin with, and non-existent after it starts to dry out and crumble. HOn3 wood ties don't really have enough size to hold your track in gauge and alignment by themselves over time, they need a stable roadbed underneath. Homasote, door skin (wood veneer), pine/basswood have all been used successfully for handlaid track. Pre-cut Homasote is available under the brand name Homabed.Welcome to the wonderful world of 3ft modeling! You may find the Yahoo HOn3 group worth reading (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HOn3/).just my thoughts, your choicesFred W
Thank you for bringing these up. I always forget to mention a few things...
One thing though, does anyone know where I can buy an NMRA HOn3 gage off the 'net? (Direct link please...)
As for engines & cars, I do not NEED RTR (though it is nice!) I can do kits, but I want to shy away from (mostly unpainted) brass. I have heard horror stories about converting them to DCC. And no, no scratch-buildy for me-ey. As for prototype & era, D&RGW in the "dirty thirties" has caught my eye. (Thanks/Congrats to Blackstone for it!) And lastly, trackage, I don't plan to spike my track to the cork, but caulk (or similar) it down, as far as ties go, yes, I know wood will let my track "wiggle" out of gauge, which is why I plan to use PC board ties every 5-7 ties. (With gaps cut in the copper topping of course!) And thank you for the link to the yahoo group, but coincidentally, I found it last night, and have joined.