Most of us who model the mid to late 1800s are frustrated by the lack of available rolling stock. Usually we make due with Roundhouse kits (really early 1900s units and too long) or adapt some of the older Mantua and AHM stuff. In the latest MR, I noticed an advertisement for Blackstone Models…makers of some outstanding looking narrow gauge cars. Oh a whim, I decided to write to the good folks at Blackstone - asking whether their HOn3 line could be adapted to HO (late 19th century). By reply the Blackstone folks said that it was indeed possible IF I could locate some narrower, early model arch bar trucks. Apparently the Kadee truck, I have been using, are of a late 1920s - 1930s design and are wider…resulting in the possibility of the truck sticking outside the car body.
I began a Google search and located a truck that I think will work with the Blackstone cars. The truck is made by The Bethlehem Car Works and is an arch bar truck with a 4’ 9" wheelbase. These trucks look like those I seem to find in period photographs of prototype equipment. My questions are: 1) Has anyone tried using HOn3 rolling stock on HO trucks? 2) Are the Bethlehem Car Works trucks the way to go? 3) If not, what would be a more appropriate truck?
Of course I could purchase one of the Blackstone cars and do the conversion “in the blind”. I could end up with a great source of late 19th century rolling stock, OR I could have a narrow gauge car that just graces my bookshelf. Any thoughts? Many thanks.
Blackstone’s HOn3 rolling stock has too much of a 20th century D&RGW character to be particularly well suited for representing 19th century standard gauge equipment.
Thanks for the help guys. I knew about some of the suggested websites; and explored some of the others…lots of information to digest. Rich, the Bitter Creek Models site looked very promising. I did find all kinds of trucks that would fit my era (many, many, many thanks for that) however there were no car kits listed. Apparently this is a new company OR they are beginning the process of providing 19th century car kits. I selected the “car kits” page and it was blank. I will keep checking the website to see if they post their kits (of course I could email them - couldn’t I?). Again, thanks to all for your valuable assistance.
One thing you might look at is Sn3 cars. Since narrow gauge cars tend to be narrower than standard gauge, these might work for you.
Personally, I have acquired a couple of On30 passenger cars for use on my S standard gauge railroad. These are a little tall, but the width is right. Besides, there are no open platform cars available in S currently.
I think that the HOn3 cars will be too narrow and the Sn3 cars will be slightly too wide. I am in the same boat as I model pre WWI Nevada. There is a real paucity of equipment from that era that is made with modern plastic molding methods. I would love to see some good 19th century HO standard freight cars made with the same accuracy asn detail as either the Blackstone models in HOn3 or the PBL models in Sn3. I converted some MDC HO boxcars to Sn3 many years ago by adding plastic sheathing and they were narrower than the D&RGW cars.
I also wish MDC would release some of their updated models in undecorated. Their new Pullman Palace cars are a dead ringer for a bunch of LV&T, T&T, T&G and BG RR cars but getting the lettering off is a major task. - Nevin
Standard HO trucks will look way to big for the BS freight cars. You will also have clearance issues with the underframe if you try to use them. These cars were specifically built for HOn3 and are correct for that particular gauge and prototype.