I’m looking for an inexpensive HOn3 diesel to use for testing the track on my White Pass and Yukon HOn3 layout. I am familier with the Grandt Line boxcab and industrial diesels and I may end up getting one of them. However, what I am looking for is a narrow gauge road diesel that is either HOn3 or could be easily regauged to HOn3. It doesn’t need to be White Pass (or even a North American prototype for that matter) as I am just using this as a test vehicle until I can kitbash a couple of DL535Es.
I have a HOn3 diesel that I purchased from an Australian dealer, who has since gone out of business. It consisted of a K&M Engineering chassis and a shell from a standard gauge Australian diesel model. However, these might be available through other Australian dealers, for instance:
Note that this is a different Horizon Hobbies for the American distributor. They mention K&M, but don’t seem to stock it. Each one is somewhat special order, but the price isreasonable. I know mine cost less than $150, inc. S&H to the US.
<> Here’s some contact info I found that may be current.
K&M Engineering
Model Train Division
PO Box 1940
Grafton 2460
NSW, Australia
Bob Richardson email: bobr@midcoast.com.au
tel: [+61] 2 6644 7518
At one time, I think Keystone offered a HOn3 chassis for their GE 44-tonner. I can’t think of anything else relatively inexpensive right now, other than modifying the older-type Athearn SW chassis. I don’t recall where it appeared, but this was described in a model mag about 25 years ago. The modification doesn’t work with the later versions of this chassis, though.
You’ve been told incorrectly. I used to model HOn3 and now I’m in N. N scale track is roughly HOn2 1/2. This is roughly 30" gauge in HO. HOn3 represents 36" gauge. That half a scale HO foot is enough to cause N scale wheels to fall between the rails.
I had considered using an N scale loco, but I am not familiar enough with them. Are the mechanisms such that it would be possible to re-gauge the wheels to run on HOn3 track? (Even if it requires removing the side frames)
Just a note, K&M’s owner Bob R is retiring from the business in the short term future, as his health is fading. Another manufacturer is Hollywood foundry, who Wuiske models (www.wuiskepromotions.com.au) is now using, these are alot quieter than the K&M ones.
Horizon Hobbies, aren’t far from where I live, they have good service and would recommend them.
Mlehman, Are you sure it’s no HOn3.5 the locomotive? As Australian Narrow Gauge is 3’ 6’’ or 1067mm and HOn3.5 is the closest representation to that gauge.
I know that earlier N scale models had wide wheel treads - but not that wide!
Some years back an HOn3 modeler allegedly re-gauged an N scale Bo-Bo diesel to HOn3. Exactly how was not stated. (I would assume new, longer axles - at least, that’s what I’m planning to do.)
Chuck (modeling Central Japan in September, 1964 - including HOjn762 on 10.5mm gauge)
George,there is an article in the December Railroad Model Craftsman on how to re gage a N Life like GP 18 into HOn3.It involves putting Grandt Line wheels on and modifing the side frames.Story is called Narrow Gage Track cleaner by Herbet Koenig.I believe B.T.S. makes a HOn3 locomotive,but it has wood sides. I also wish there were HOn3 diesels. joe
My diesel is HOn3. At least when I bought mine, it was an available option from K&M. Sorry to hear that Bob’s health will affect the availability of this nice mechanism.
I’m intriguied by the Wuiske Models offerings, since you mention they are quieter. It’s unclear which of these may be available in HOn3. The same goes with Hollywood Foundry’s offerings, linked from there, but this brings us around full circle to the Bull Ant discussion in another recent thread. The Bull Ant is available in HOn3, so you could build your own chassis and use a pair of them to power it. They also are offering a very sweet looking C-C chassis in HOn3.5 (http://www.hollywoodfoundry.com/Manufacturers.htm) so maybe it will be available special order in HOn3. It may be worth inquiring for those who need such things, just to see what the possibilities are.
There are three Grandt Line powered boxcab kits on Ebay now, all going for less than $30 apiece. I doubt you’ll find a better mix of low cost and high quality in an HOn3 diesel.
I like the concept of the bull-ant drive and its componets and the prices aren’t too bad with the exchange rate, however the new Atlas RSD-4/5 3 axle trucks are very close to the DL535E trucks and if they are like the other Atlas loco trucks, can be narrowed to HOn3 with just a little work. The best thing is I called Atlas this morning and found out I can order the entire assy from them for less than 1/2 the price of a bull-ant.