Greetings All…
I am building a coal mine (slope mine) on my HO Scale layout. I am using N Scale track as a reasonable match to the smaller gauge internal mine trackage. Although it is actually larger than the typical mine gauges, visually it works for me. What I am looking for is a small N Gauge Loco (25-40 Ton) to use in the supply yard that conects to the portal tracks. Can any of you N Scalers help me find any of these … been having some trouble. Thanks[:)]
Hi: You are probably going to be more satisfied in the long run with an HOn2 1/2 guage loco, and mine cars. It runs on N track, and represents a 30 inch guage. Any HO people you may have populating your mine site will not dwarf the HOn2 1/2 because they are in scale. An N loco would look kinda wierd beside an HO person. The loco I have (left over from my HO layout that had just such a narrow guage section) is by Roco of Austria. It’s a 060 tank. If you are interested, I can take a photo to let you see, or you could go to your LHS and look in the Walthers Catalogue under Roco. There is an interesting selection of mine cars.
My narrow guage section didn’t work too well until I got a better quality power pack for it. If you are DCC, there should be enough space in the cab above the motor for a decoder (Zimo?) but you would loose the see through look.
Regards,
There used to be some small industial gas mechanicals available in N scale. If that is what you are looking for you might spot one at a train show. They were not good runners though.
I would consider using Z scale track. There might be a Marklin loco suitable for modification. to HO. You might be able to find a used one. May not be an option. They are very expensive new$.
About the smallest thing available in N is the Bachmann Plymouth industrial switcher. It’s pretty large for N (I don’t expect to ever see an 18-ton Davenport in N, unless nanotechnology comes on strong. [:)]), but with an HO-sized cab plopped on it I think it would look about right in your application.
Thanks All.
By the way, I am not planning on running the N-Scale. Its just for the scene.