I'm looking to start a modest 8 X 4 layout in HNO3 and like the look of the old locomotives with the bulbous stacks. I am also keen on the two truck Shays.
Do these engines come in HNO3? And can you recommend layouts please?
Hi Ron!
to this forum and to the aficionados of narrow gauge model railroading.
I assume you mean HOn3, for which, unfortunately, no currently manufactured 4-4-0 is available. FED used to market a brass loco in the 1970´s - you maybe able to find one on "the Bay"
FED is Far East Distributors and the HOn3 4-4-0 was within their "Spartan Series" of locos. Pricing is around $ 100.
If you are up for building a locomotive kit, you can find old Roundhouse kits for HON3 Shays on Ebay.
Old Thumper If you are up for building a locomotive kit, you can find old Roundhouse kits for HON3 Shays on Ebay.
Just be aware that these have a reputation for being difficult and I don't think the NWSL upgrade package is available any more.
An alternative option is to do S scale using HO mechanisms with scratchbuilt super structure. This is Sn42 which bothers some purists, but makes all wheel arrangements available. Or you could do the same with On30, for which Bachmann has produced a number of locomotives including Americans and Shays.
Paul
Modeling in HOn3 is a lot of fun but it isn't for someone who is starting out. Blackstone and some other companies have made some HOn3 equipment that will actually run out of the box very well but it is still much more of a craftsman gauge. Those old FED 4-4-0's basically require a complete motor and gear box retooling to function.
On30 might be something to consider. That is 1:48 modeling using HO track. Bachmann has made some 4-4-0s that run quite well. Lots of modelers have built nice On30 layouts on a 4x8 layout. You cna find lots of examples on the internet.
Thanks to everyone who replied re HOn3. It seems I will begin with HO, maybe I will find Shays and the like in that scale.
Previous respondents have pretty well covered the 4-4-0's. I think Balboa may have announced a D&RG NG 4-4-0 back in the Dark Ages, but I don't know whether they actually produced it. You might also consider Mason Bogeys produced by Balboa and PFM.
As for Shays, PFM and Balboa both produced small narrow gauge two-truckers, and I believe NWSL produced a very small early Climax.
Some of Balboa's line was later offered by Westside, but I don't know whether that included the engines mentioned.
Tom
ACYSome of Balboa's line was later offered by Westside, but I don't know whether that included the engines mentioned.
It did include the D&RGW T-12 4-6-0, but unfortunately, Westside also took over the badly designed drive, which left the middle driver 0.5mm below the other two drivers, inevitably hampering the gitalong of the loco. Nevertheless it was (and still is) a pretty model.
I just looked over at BrassTrains.com and the majority of the HOn3 items there are Colorado prototype D&RG 2-8-2s and the like. There are several shays listed, but be sure to read the details on each item. That site track tests each locomotive and lists what they find, but due to rarity there is one HOn3 Shay listed for over $400 that doesn't run.
Any HO structure still works fine with HOn3, of course, but I concur with the earlier observation that it tends to be a craftsman scale. It is usually not the most inexpensive, either. Still, there are few things that look nicer than a 3-foot gauge locomotive and there are multiple prototypes from around the country to draw upon. Good luck; keep us informed about what you decide.
Bill
If you are into kit building Wiseman Model Service has an HOn3 kit for the North Pacific Coast 4-4-0 Cab Forward. It was the 21 spot IIRC
Google Hon3 steam locomotives. I just did.
You might find old time stacks at Walther's but not as many around anymore.
Search the Bachmann website for HO scale smoke stacks. They have a couple you might like.
Rich
If you ever fall over in public, pick yourself up and say “sorry it’s been a while since I inhabited a body.” And just walk away.
DS4-4-1000 If you are into kit building Wiseman Model Service has an HOn3 kit for the North Pacific Coast 4-4-0 Cab Forward. It was the 21 spot IIRC
Yeah, but that kit is a project even for those with considerable experience. I would not recommend it for the beginner in HOn3, even assuming the weird prototype fits your concept.
The old Ken Kidder/FED 4-4-0 is a more practical choice and it will still require some work to get even close to present day expectation on performance. There is a series or articles in the Narrow Gauge and Short Line Gazette by Boone Morrison nearly two decades back on updating and modifying it that are highly recommended if you go that route.
Whatever the case, you'll find that any HOn3 4-4-0 is very limited in tractive effort. At best, maybe a couple of passenger cars if there is any grade at all. So be careful about any grades you might build on the layout if you anticipate using one at a later date or you'll find a lot of frustration.
The old Roundhouse Shay kit is a challenge, but can be done especially if you track down the book published by Oso (?) on building them up. It's rather pricey (the book). There were also a few RTR HOn3 Shays made just before Athearn bought up MDC/Roundhouse, so finding one of those is your best shortcut. The issue with this model is that it is really huge for a narrowguage Shay, which were more petite than their standard gauge versions that the HOn3 one is based on.
If you really want a Shay, go brass from a reputable dealer. I'm still waiting for my budget line to be approved on that...
However, Phil the Shay-Fixer is highly respected in the HOn3 community: http://www.shayfixer.com/shayfixerforsale.htm
Mike Lehman
Urbana, IL
Here's a good one if you can find one, Shay-wise, a PFM Cowichan Shay. This is one of two that another member of our NMRA division owns. He doesn't currently have a layout to run them on, so I isolated the end of the Cascade Extension from the DCC system so he could run his DC-only Shay there. This is it switching the Merry Widow Mine.
I believe the loco is the #2 of the Long Lake Lumber Co. (or perhaps Lost Lake Lumber?). It does have wipers added and was tuned by a local loco-fixer, but this model has a generally good rep. It ran like a top. I'd buy it in a heartbeat if it was for sale.
Thanks to all you helpful people. Time and patience precludes kit building and reworking locos. I've decided to go HO, probably on code 83 flextrack. Is that too difficult for a beginner on an 8 X 4 "Rosston, Joelberg & Holly RR layout?
Ron Hume Thanks to all you helpful people. Time and patience precludes kit building and reworking locos. I've decided to go HO, probably on code 83 flextrack. Is that too difficult for a beginner on an 8 X 4 "Rosston, Joelberg & Holly RR layout?
Ron HumeI've decided to go HO, probably on code 83 flextrack.
Ron - that´s a good and wise choice you´ve made! HOn3 is not really a beginner´s gauge and not a bargain either.