lOOKING FOR SOME REASONABLY PRICED HOn3 MOTIVE POWER ,either steam or diesel. I did assemble a Grandt Line 23 ton switcher that was reasonable, but looking for something under $200. Standard HO has so many reasonable options, but I guess they sell a lot better than the narrow gauge. I would appreciate any suggestions including "kit bashing"....Thanks
Jerry,
Here's a couple of threads on my diesels you may find useful. Priced right about $200 with the extra set of drivers to help convert it is my Liliput Gemeinder diesel: http://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/88/p/215880/2433917.aspx
An overview of my diesel fleet is here (German at the top, but page down for English): http://f2408.nexusboard.de/t326600f54878-Mein-Colorado-und-ein-wenig-europaeische-Modelle.html
Mike Lehman
Urbana, IL
Finding a HOn3 loco in good condition for under $ 200 is certainly a challenge.
Most of the items on sale are significantly above your limit. However, you might be interested in this:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/DR-G-Denver-Rio-Grande-105-0-6-0T-Steam-Samhongsa-PSC-Brass-HOn3-7015-/360887639406?pt=Model_RR_Trains&hash=item5406945d6e
Sir Madog Finding a HOn3 loco in good condition for under $ 200 is certainly a challenge. Most of the items on sale are significantly above your limit. However, you might be interested in this: http://www.ebay.com/itm/DR-G-Denver-Rio-Grande-105-0-6-0T-Steam-Samhongsa-PSC-Brass-HOn3-7015-/360887639406?pt=Model_RR_Trains&hash=item5406945d6e
Here is what I have done:
- FED 2-6-0 excellent condition with a couple of extra parts from private seller, $160. Re-motoring kit with coreless motor and other parts, $100.
- Ken Kidder outside frame 0-4-0T Plantation, RTR, e-Bay $40. Needs remotor/regear to run at reasonable speed.
- Keystone 20T Shay, $45. NWSL motorizing kit, $80.
- Roundhouse Shay kit, $51. On-Trak boiler to backdate, $10. NWSL regear parts and most of a second Roundhouse kit for parts, $40.
- Roundhouse inside frame 2-8-0 kit, $70.
- Currently working on deal for painted and detailed FED 4-4-0 that does not run.
- offered an NWSL brass Class A Climax in nice condition for $250. Did not pull trigger due to pending 4-4-0 deal.
- David Hoffman had/has 4 wheel Climax mechanism and brass shell for $90.
- recent thread here talked about motorizing options for the Ye Old Huff-n-Puff Class A Climax body.
Blackstone are quite expensive - but run very well and look very good out of the box. And have DCC and sound already installed. The Blackstones have driven many brass prices down, but generally not quite to $200. But how many HOn3 locomotives do you need/really want?
my thoughts and experiences, your choices
Fred W
One place where I have seen some good buys are on brass K-27s. The Blackstone K-27 put the running qualities to shame on most of them, so the market was flooded with them for awhile and still likely favors a patient bidder. The brass C-19s were less impacted, as there are a lot of 2-8-0s out there.
It's possible that something similar may happen with brass K-28 and K-36 models. Probably not as deep as with the first two Blackstone locos. Many have been scooped up by those looking to expand their rosters beyond the C-19/K-27 variants. But there will be some deals when thos new locos are close to arrival and after.
fwright Here is what I have done: - FED 2-6-0 excellent condition with a couple of extra parts from private seller, $160. Re-motoring kit with coreless motor and other parts, $100. - Ken Kidder outside frame 0-4-0T Plantation, RTR, e-Bay $40. Needs remotor/regear to run at reasonable speed. - Keystone 20T Shay, $45. NWSL motorizing kit, $80. - Roundhouse Shay kit, $51. On-Trak boiler to backdate, $10. NWSL regear parts and most of a second Roundhouse kit for parts, $40. - Roundhouse inside frame 2-8-0 kit, $70. - Currently working on deal for painted and detailed FED 4-4-0 that does not run. - offered an NWSL brass Class A Climax in nice condition for $250. Did not pull trigger due to pending 4-4-0 deal. - David Hoffman had/has 4 wheel Climax mechanism and brass shell for $90. - recent thread here talked about motorizing options for the Ye Old Huff-n-Puff Class A Climax body. Blackstone are quite expensive - but run very well and look very good out of the box. And have DCC and sound already installed. The Blackstones have driven many brass prices down, but generally not quite to $200. But how many HOn3 locomotives do you need/really want? my thoughts and experiences, your choices Fred W
jerryl That's great you picked up these bargains...I search ebay, but no bargains yet. I think ebay escalates the prices of everything...there is always someone that really wants something & can afford whatever & thus drives up the price on simular items...I'll keep looking.
That's great you picked up these bargains...I search ebay, but no bargains yet. I think ebay escalates the prices of everything...there is always someone that really wants something & can afford whatever & thus drives up the price on simular items...I'll keep looking.
Those were not abnormally low prices during summer months on e-Bay. And I found similar prices at the Denver TCA train show a few weeks ago (that's where I got the backup Roundhouse Shay and Keystone Shay). I just refuse to bid on the over-priced stuff - there are way too many folks that don't realize that price of brass, new old stock, or especially partially completed kits, have dropped for several reasons. Sometimes a seller will get a clue after listing on e-Bay for multiple weeks with no takers.
- the population of narrow gauge enthusiasts willing and able to work on older locomotives to get them to run well has aged significantly - and is aging out of the hobby. Most of their incomplete or future "projects" are being recyled into the market.
- the younger entrants into narrow gauge, as well as many of their older counterparts, are buying Blackstone to avoid the time sink of working on/building locomotives (and cars) to get them to look and run well.
It's interesting to note that HOn3 seems to be following a similar cycle to 3 rail O on a delayed basis. Prices for post-war Lionel seem to have peaked in the 1990s, as those who enjoyed Lionel trains in the '50s age out. And the equipment made in the last 10-15 years have all the extra detail, and desirable sound and electronic goodies - which makes the common postwar stuff look kind of ordinary (because it really was).
just my experiences
fwright jerryl That's great you picked up these bargains...I search ebay, but no bargains yet. I think ebay escalates the prices of everything...there is always someone that really wants something & can afford whatever & thus drives up the price on simular items...I'll keep looking. Those were not abnormally low prices during summer months on e-Bay. And I found similar prices at the Denver TCA train show a few weeks ago (that's where I got the backup Roundhouse Shay and Keystone Shay). I just refuse to bid on the over-priced stuff - there are way too many folks that don't realize that price of brass, new old stock, or especially partially completed kits, have dropped for several reasons. Sometimes a seller will get a clue after listing on e-Bay for multiple weeks with no takers. - the population of narrow gauge enthusiasts willing and able to work on older locomotives to get them to run well has aged significantly - and is aging out of the hobby. Most of their incomplete or future "projects" are being recyled into the market. - the younger entrants into narrow gauge, as well as many of their older counterparts, are buying Blackstone to avoid the time sink of working on/building locomotives (and cars) to get them to look and run well. It's interesting to note that HOn3 seems to be following a similar cycle to 3 rail O on a delayed basis. Prices for post-war Lionel seem to have peaked in the 1990s, as those who enjoyed Lionel trains in the '50s age out. And the equipment made in the last 10-15 years have all the extra detail, and desirable sound and electronic goodies - which makes the common postwar stuff look kind of ordinary (because it really was). just my experiences Fred W
Patience and dedication is what it takes. I picked up a brass DRGW C-17 "repair" locomotive for $120 . The repair only meant putting it back together and adding couplers. It ran great and even came with the foam and box. About the only problem I have is not having any narrow gauge track
TomLutman Patience and dedication is what it takes. I picked up a brass DRGW C-17 "repair" locomotive for $120 . The repair only meant putting it back together and adding couplers. It ran great and even came with the foam and box. About the only problem I have is not having any narrow gauge track
Those FED 4-4-0's can be real good runners with the stock motor. I had one in the 70's. Secert is to make the tender pick up so one truck picks up from the left, and the other picks up from the right. If I remember right it only involves cutting the copper trace and soldering a couple wires.......Mike