I am considering modeling the EBT(East Broad Top) railroad. However, I’ve noticed a small shortage of locos for this railroad are produced. Does anyone have any suggestions on where I can turn these up at? Or…How can I find out about scratchbuilding steam locomotives? I would love to give this a try someday? Any advice? I will be modeling this in HOn3.
Twilight
The East Broad Top (EBT) is a narrow gauge railway (3 foot gauge) in western Pennsylvania. I seriously considered visiting it on the way home from ML2003; however, I didn’t have the time, and they are closed on weekdays, so my visit to EBT will have to wait until I get back in that area of the country again.
I have not seen models of EBT locomotives in the mags I subscribe to. I would suggest you check out the Narrow Gauge and Shortline Gazette magazine at your local hobby shop. As this magazine is more focused on the narrow gauge scene, you might have a better chance to find an EBT loco in the ads of that perodical. If you find one, chances are that it will be brass ($$$). Of course, you can always scratch build one yourself.
Model Railroader ran a series of articles some years ago on scratchbuilding a steam locomotive (2-8-2 I believe) in brass. The techniques would probably be simular for constructing any locomotive in any scale. Having said that, I should mention that I haven’t tried to scratchbuild a locomotive. You should be able to locate the series in the magazine index on this trains.com site. You can get copies of the magazines (if still available) or of the article from Kalmbach.
Trains magazine also had a good article on the EBT and its overhead belt driven machine shop. I believe the article appeared in one of the 1980s (decade) issues. You should also be able to find it in the trains.com magazine index.
MDC has some HOn3 kits for 2-8-0 that you might be able to adapt, depending on how close to the prototype you want to be.
Enjoy
Paul