Narrow gauge door layout, Nn3, HOn3, On30?

[DatsunChris]

So I always wanted a small narrow gauge mining layout. For the longest I wanted Nn3 just because I like tiny things and miniatures. But there dosnt seem much to offer and what is is exspenive and need to be kit bashed and such. Thats ok for a few engines and cars but dont what to have to scratch build the whole fleet. Other option is HOn3, but that seems even more hard to come by than Nn3. Then theres On30, very readlly available and pretty afordable, but I had wanted to model 3ft gauge such as D&RGW and not 30in gauge that I dont think would even be found out west. Although I do see K27's in On30, which look kinda odd (or maybe just cool, im unsure yet lol) as the track is alot narrower that what a real k27 would run on.

Any suggestions?

[tom mann]

Another option is 55n3, which uses HO track to model 36" gauge: http://www.55n3.org/ . Also, there are two people on the forum here who are modeling HOn30.

[jimmo]

Unless I missed another model company going under, there is an entire line of beautiful HOn3 equipment available from Blackstone Models. http://blackstonemodels.com/

Check out Narrow Gauge and Shortline Gazette magazine for other manufacturers of HOn3. http://www.ngslgazette.com/

I wished Nn3 was easier than HOn3 to find--it'll never happen.

[Paradise275]

Doesn't HOn3 use a completly different track. It runs on 10mm track so you can't use the 9mm N scale track and switches.

Rick

[DatsunChris]

Doesn't HOn3 use a completly different track. It runs on 10mm track so you can't use the 9mm N scale track and switches.

Rick

Yeah thats one of my hangups with HOn3. That and the cost of the locos and rolling stock is out there. HOn30 uses N sacle track but its not 3ft gauge, just like On30 is not 3ft gauge. SSn3 looks cool and is something to consider.

Nn3 is actully looking to be at the top. Uses Z track, and I just found out that Micro-Trains sells Nn3 trucks so converting Bachmann, eta N scale rolling stock will be easy. That leaves Any loco I use needs to be bashed tho, which after buying the kit plus the donor loco is about the same price as buying a RTR loco in other scales.

This needs more though and research on my part for sure but I'm greatful for the info yall giving me so far, I never even knew about SSn3

[jimmo]

It's 55n3 (fifty-five) not SS. I've never heard of it myself but that's what Tom wrote.

[DatsunChris]

Ahh, my mistake

[tom mann]

Blackstone has a Kato-like track product that they are coming out with.  Currently, only straights and curves (no turnouts). But don't let HOn3 track hold you back!  Plenty of brands available at MTS:

http://www.modeltrainstuff.com/HOn3-Track-s/2535.htm

This is a much better track selection than what you'll find in Z scale.

[Chris333]

Do yourself a favor and skip Nn3.

[DatsunChris]

Do yourself a favor and skip Nn3.

Haha, why is that?

[johnb]

Haha, why is that?

DCC is all but impossible, no ready to run locos and a handful of freight cars, no passenger cars, very little track and the main supplier is a one man shop

[wcfn100]

If track width is a hang up, Nn3 isn't 36" gauge either.


Jason

[DatsunChris]

Very good points, Nn3 is all but out. So that leaves HOn3. The pros here seem to be that I can "simply" take a HO loco such as my Bachmann 4-4-0 and narrow the wheels to run on the 10.5mm track. That and HOn3 trucks and RTR (but pricey) locos are avilable.

Option #2 is HOn30. While this gauge dosn't quite represent the 3' gauge of the D&RGW that I was initially going for, I see it has been done https://architrains.wordpress.com/2010/10/03/narrow-gauge-fever/

That and a 2' line wouldnt be uncommon I would think in a westeren mine setting, with the narrow gauge lines running the gold, ore, eta to the standered gauge mainline. Will a HO scale K27 look a bit big on n scale track? Maybe, but not worse that this On30 K27 http://ogrforum.ogaugerr.com/fileSendAction/fcType/0/fcOid/21280719145509598/filePointer/21280719145509614/fodoid/21280719145509606/imageType/MEDIUM/inlineImage/true/28.jpg

Pros with HOn30 is cheap Nscale track, trucks, and donors, cons are few RTR models

Well theres where I'm stuck now, at least I'm down to two now lol

[tom mann]

Honestly, if you are dead set on D&RGW then the HO scale Blackstone models are perfect and not terribly out of line price wise (especially for the amount you need for a small layout).  However, if narrow gauge is what you like, then consider all the cool things you can do with On30 - and there is plenty available at decent prices. 

[wcfn100]

  However, if narrow gauge is what you like, then consider all the cool things you can do with On30 - and there is plenty available at decent prices.

Unfortunately those decent prices can still have a cost as I look at two of by dad's On30 locomotives sitting with cracked gears.  And Bachmann won't sell just the gears, you have to buy the whole assembly that they're part of. 

(unless something's changed in the last few years)


Jason