Where Can I Find HOn3 Trains

[Anonymous]

Hello


After my particiapation with HO scale I wanted something new. I was looking through Septembers model Railroader and in the back, I saw a picture of Boone Morrisons North Coast Narrow Gauge railroad and I was then swayed to model HOn3. I need help finding rolling stock and locomotives. But I am aware that MDC produces HOn3 locomotives and Labelle makes coaches and freight cars, but I am not satisfied. Could you please provide some links to HOn3 manufactuers.

Nick

[joseph2]

Hi Nick.I am also considering getting into HOn3.Have you tried Caboose Hobbies of Denver? link www.caboosehobbies.com on the online catalogue look under HOn3. Cordially,Joe G.

[Anonymous]

Check the Walthers catalogue, there's a fair bit in there.

[Jetrock]

But, one will note, not a *lot*. Try doing a Google-search of "HOn3" and see what comes up.

Be aware that if you plan on pursuing narrow-gauge, you will probably *have* to do at least some kitbashing or scratchbuilding to get what you want. While narrow gauge is easier to find than, say, traction/trolley stuff, it is a small offshoot of a relatively small hobby, and there just isn't a whole lot of off-the-rack stuff...and what there is tends to be expensive.

If you don't want to pay a lot for trains, or don't want to scratchbuild, build craftsman kits, or kitbash, quite frankly, maybe you're better off modeling standard-gauge equipment.

[Don Gibson]

CABOOSE HOBBIES, Denver Colorado.

[Anonymous]

Jetrock is right. There are no plastic RTR boxcars or cars of any kind. All the kits are unpainted, undecaled and you have to drill out the grabs as well as bend them. There are pretty much no quality locos except brass....The modelers in narrow guage are easily one of the most skilled modeling groups I have encountered. For info, check out the Narrow guage and Shortline Gazette. They have a web site. The other suggestion I have is to try this link and look under manufacturers:

http://www.narrowgauge2004.com/

BTW: Boone Morrison is an excellent modeler who is making it look easy...

Guy

[jguess733]

I too have recently become interested in narrow gague. I want to build my own version of Malcolm Furlow's San Juan Central. But the prices of HOn3 equipment is starting to deter me. So I've been seriously thinking about On30. The stuff is realitivly inexpensive, it runs great, and the bigger size means the details show up better.

[jrbarney]

Nick,
I don't know what your skill level is, but if you are really serious about HOn3
you may want to invest in Precision Scale Co., Inc.'s locomotive and passenger/freight car catalogs as listed at their Web site:
http://www.precisionscaleco.com/
As yet, they haven't invested sufficient time or money in their Web site which is limited to listing their catalogues in various scales. They do have kits for HOn3 locomotives, but some of them you have to reserve. Although most of their parts are "lost wax" investment cast brass, they also make identical versions of some parts in plastic. As Joe and Don both mentioned, Caboose Hobbies in Denver is a great shop to visit and they also do an extensive mail order business. Don't know if there is anything equivalent reasonably near Myrtle Beach.
Also, David M. Hoffman offers kits for freight cars, railbuses and "critters." He doesn't have a Web site. His snail mail address is: 8682 U. S. Hwy. 61 North, Woodville, MS 39669-3502.
Bob
NMRA Life 0543