East Broad Top

[Anonymous]

My club is modeling the EBT and we would like to do it HON3. My question is are there any narrow gauge engine other than brass???? Brass is just a little too expensive?[:(] I need to find 2-8-2's or we will have to do it in standard gauge.

[dehusman]

Short answer : no. MDC made HOn3 2-8-0's and Far East Dist. made "Spartan" brass 4-4-0's and 2-6-0's.

If you read the EBT history, there were several proposals to deiselize or standard guage the EBT. The last several were by GE who proposed using 44 or 70 ton locomotives. Look at narrowing the guage on some Bachman 44 or 70 tonners and model as if the EBT took GE up on the idea to dieselize the narrow guage or use standard guage 70 tonners for the EBT for the broadening option.

Dave H.

[orsonroy]

At this point, the only way to model the EBT in HOn3 is to buy brass engines, scratchbuild, or heavily convert Roundhouse HOn3 2-8-0 kits. If you're looking to build 'em on a budget, converting the Roundhouse kits is your best bet. I'd marry the steam kit conversion techniques of John Swanson (check the magazine index under RMC, in the 1980s and 1990s) with modern boiler scratchbuilding techniques (PVC or styrene piping). Precision Scale makes a few EBT-specific detail parts. Freight cars, passenger equipment and cabooses are easy to get as wood, resin, or even plastic kits, specific to the EBT.

While not really a simple task, you CAN model the EBT on a budget. All it takes is a little skill and a bit more time.

[joseph2]

I just bought a MDC HOn3 2-8-0 from Caboose Hobbies in Denver,so they are still being made. Caboose Hobbies ad has a D&RGW 2-8-2 from a new company called MMI for around $250.

[orsonroy]

MMI's a new division of Precision Scale, so the engines should be up to their high standards. And while not a perfect match for the EBT's engines, redetailing these should be a lot simpler (and possibly cheaper!) than trying to modify and superdetail a Roundhouse kit.

[Anonymous]

I have looked every where for roundhouse kits where can I find them???

[joseph2]

Here is a link to Caboose Hobbies www.caboosehobbies.com they have an online catalog with HOn3 in it. Most of their stuff is western though.Joe G.

[orsonroy]

MDC Roundhouse was recently bought by Horizon Hobbies, a distributor. In the short term, MDC products might be hard to find. Here's a few places to look:

http://www.internettrains.com/hon3.html
www.ebay.com
www.horizonhobby.com
http://www.trainandtrooper.com/hon3.html
http://www.linkandpinhobbies.com/Mrr_frt.htm