HO to Sn3?
Renshaw Andrew Lee
cost of HOn3 and Sn3 kits. Why doesn't anyone manufacture "ready to run" NG
kits? The demand might be good.
Anyway, I was playing with the scale rule and some HO standard gauge stuff and
noticed that in S scale, HO standard trucks come very close to 3 feet.
Has anyone ever atempted to convert HO to Sn3? If not, then maybe I'll just
make my own gauge and use converted HO stuff (mainly locomotives).
Jeff Smith
JS> Iv'e been trying to convert to narrow gauge and have been held back by t
JS> cost of HOn3 and Sn3 kits. Why doesn't anyone manufacture "ready to run
JS> kits? The demand might be good.
JS> Anyway, I was playing with the scale rule and some HO standard g
JS> uff and
JS> noticed that in S scale, HO standard trucks come very close to 3 feet.
JS> Has anyone ever atempted to convert HO to Sn3? If not, then maybe I'll
JS> make my own gauge and use converted HO stuff (mainly locomotives).
I have converted a Mantua 2-6-6-2 from HO scale to Sn3, I have also
converted three Athearn diesels to Sn3.
Jeff Smith
Slim Gauge Guild
Pasadena, CA
Jeff Smith (Jeff....@Patchbay.com)
* RM 1.3 01256 *
Les Archuleta
> I have converted a Mantua 2-6-6-2 from HO scale to Sn3, I have also
> converted three Athearn diesels to Sn3.
>
> Jeff Smith
Could you elaborate a bit more? From what Athearn diesel to what SN3
engine? Any tips sources for ideas or inspiration? I am very interested
in HO -> SN3 any would like to here from anyone?
Les
Garth G. Groff
Athearn diesels would be just a matter of cutting
off a bit of the gear sleeve and moving in the
wheels on their half-axles. Steam locomotives
would be a bit harder--wheels could easily reguaged
by clamping the wheelset in a bench vice with a spacer
around the axle on each side. Then just squeeze the
vice in slowly until the gauge is correct (I once did
this in On2 with good results). The frames might have
to be milled down lighly which is a bit more difficult.
The Mantua 4-6-0 and other wheel arrangements using the
Rogers boiler are good candidates for this (the engine
is oversized for its prototype in HO).
You might want to reconsider your views on costs. Sn3,
On3 and other such minority gauge/scales, are not really
more expensive when measured in terms of model-building
time and satisfaction. A $35 Sn3 boxcar might take 12
hours to build by the time you finish all the brake
rigging and other tiny parts. You might get the same
enjoyment as from assembling an armload of typical HO
shake-in-the-box kits for the same price and spending
the same time. It depends on how many cars and locomotives
you want on your railroad, and how much you value your own
craftsmanship.
Most folks I have known who work in On3 or On2 have only a
few fine locomtives and a handful of cars, just like their
prototypes. They are satisfied to spend a lot of time on a
single piece of rolling stock rather than have a lot of lesser
detailed cars or less-smoothly running locomotive.
Yes, I too balk at the thought of spending $600 for a model
locomotive. That's one reason I went back into HO.
~S
--
Garth (Haridas) Groff
"Not yet famous author"
gg...@poe.acc.virginia.EDU Chant "Govinda Bohlo Hare"
Tim Bristow
has been the subject of several articles and lots of projects. Don
Heimburger runs Scenery Unlimited, Inc., a mail order firm in one of the
Chicago suburbs publishes a variety of books. One of the books is
entitled "Sn3 Modeling" or thereabouts. It gives several ideas and
examples of conversions. He also publishes a semi-annual magazine
focusing on Sn3.
Renshaw Andrew Lee
Thanks a bunch!!!
Andrew Renshaw
Renshaw Andrew Lee
Thanks a bunch!!
Andrew Renshaw
2616 NW 44 PL
Gainesville, FL 32605
Bill Daniels
>Yes, I too balk at the thought of spending $600 for a model
>locomotive. That's one reason I went back into HO.
>
>~S
>--
>Garth (Haridas) Groff
Hmmm...I wonder jsut where you are finding those $600.00 dollar
locomotives...the last time I checked, the least you could spend for a
C-class is about a grand (and the K-27's (I should mention that these are
for On3 models) was pushing two grand ($2000.00). Each!. Sn3 isn't much
cheaper (PBL is advertising "investment quality models" in the Jul/Aug
1995 Narrow Gauge and Shortline Gazette. This from a guy who, not so long
ago advertised that Sn3 was "the affordable alternative". BTW, have you
priced some of Overland's or Key Ltd's stuff recently? $600.00 might make
a good down payment. And this is for HO.
--
Bill Daniels
Tucson, AZ
Paul J Claffey
: noticed that in S scale, HO standard trucks come very close to 3 feet.
: Has anyone ever atempted to convert HO to Sn3? If not, then maybe I'll just
: make my own gauge and use converted HO stuff (mainly locomotives).
HO standard gauge scales to S 42" narrow gauge. To save money go ahead
and model in 42" gauge. There were a number of prototypes that you can
follow, particularly in the east, but you may want to follow 36" gauge
prototypes and then be able to re-gauge your cars later as money permits.
I started in Sn42, here are a couple of tips. Some HO truck sideframes
are longer than others. I was using a Roundouse archbar truck, or was
it Kadee? File the journal box covers and replace them with a strip
of styrene of the right size. The journal box covers are a dead giveaway
as the trucks origin. To improve the trucks apperance further, replace
the wheel sets with Kadee (or other mfg) HO passenger car wheelsets. These
scale out to approx. 27" in S and look more appropriate. Locos - there
are several sources of loco detail castings. There are even conversion
kits available from V&T Shops for the Mantua Logging Articulated and the
Roundhouse shays. The Kadee HO standard coupler works great.
Finally, to get started get Sn3 Modeler's Guide, Heimberger House
Publishing.
Write if you want more info,
Paul
--
claf...@netcom.com
bar...@cernvm.cern.ch
We have an informal Sn3 group on the net. If you would like to be
included, send me an e-mail
Ian Barnett
bar...@sl3.msm.cern.ch
Clark Kooning, MMR
>Iv'e been trying to convert to narrow gauge and have been held back by the high
>cost of HOn3 and Sn3 kits. Why doesn't anyone manufacture "ready to run" NG
>kits? The demand might be good.
>noticed that in S scale, HO standard trucks come very close to 3 feet.
>Has anyone ever atempted to convert HO to Sn3? If not, then maybe I'll just
>make my own gauge and use converted HO stuff (mainly locomotives).
>
As noted in some of the replies Sn42 could be your ticket... HO track is used allowing
Ho trucks and power units to be used as the base for your equipment. It is neat. You may
want to refer to past copies of the NMRA Bulletin for some examples ( In the Narrow gauge Nugget
colums)
As a modeller in Sn3 I must admit it can get expensive... but as noted in other responses
you only need to have one or two loco's and 10 to 20 pcs of rolling stock to get the feel
of narrow gauge. Not like HO where you need 40 loco and hundreds of cars...
Also try the Box cab kits from Railmaster with a NWSL powere unit they work well and can
be bought for around $100.00 total . They make a great place to start. Or you could try the
DRGW # 50 PBL had in Brass with there great running for $250 painted .
Don't look at the price relative to HO but what you get.
Clark Kooning, MMR
Sn3
Jeff Smith
JS> locomotives...the last time I checked, the least you could spend for a
JS> C-class is about a grand (and the K-27's (I should mention that these ar
JS> for On3 models) was pushing two grand ($2000.00). Each!. Sn3 isn't much
JS> cheaper (PBL is advertising "investment quality models" in the Jul/Aug
JS> Bill Daniels
JS> Tucson, AZ
The Overland models are much cheaper around $750.00. Also you could do what
I did and use a Conversion kit and convert the Mantua 2-6-6-2 to Sn3.
Jeff
Jeff Smith
JS> > converted three Athearn diesels to Sn3.
JS> > Jeff Smith
JS> Could you elaborate a bit more? From what Athearn diesel to what SN3
JS> engine? Any tips sources for ideas or inspiration? I am very intereste
JS> in HO -> SN3 any would like to here from anyone?
JS> Les
I have modeled a Sn3 DL-535 (White Pass and Yukon) using a Railmaster shell
and a Athearn PA-1 underframe. I also modeled a GE U26c (New Zealand, South
African Railway) from a Railmaster shell and a Athearn FP-45 underframe.
You can also freelance a loco from the Athearn S-12 by building a new cab
and widening the walkways, make a believeable engine.
For a catalog from Railmaster:
Railmaster Exports
209 Royal Road
Royal Heights
Auckland 8
New Zealand
FAX 0064-9-527-6753
John Agnew is the owner and is very nice and helpful.
Jeff Smith
David Forsyth
>From: bar...@cernvm.cern.ch
>Subject: Re: HO TO SN3?
>Date: Tue, 3 Oct 1995 07:44:08 GMT
>>> I have converted a Mantua 2-6-6-2 from HO scale to Sn3, I have also
>>>
>>
>>Could you elaborate a bit more? From what Athearn diesel to what SN3
>>in HO -> SN3 any would like to here from anyone?
>>
>We have an informal Sn3 group on the net. If you would like to be
>included, send me an e-mail
>Ian Barnett
>bar...@sl3.msm.cern.ch
I'm interested too, but I will mail you direct.
BTW I calculate HO track as being correct for Sn3.5 which is just perfect
ofr me here in South Africa where all the main lines are 3 foot 6 inch and
HO just don't look right. Thinking of building locol locos (Beyere
Garratts etc) in Sn3.5 and using my existing HO track to run on.
What's up, who's right?
David Forsyth da...@iwr.ru.ac.za
Institute for Water Research Rhodes University South Africa
------------------ I disclaim it all ---------------------------------
Trains, the only safe way to travel from A to B,
Keeper of the South African railways listserver for railfans
(Not affiliated to Transnet)
Skip Egdorf
Back in 1967 when Swede Norlin brought in the first 200 C-16s in
S scale, 100 were Sn3 and 100 were Sn3.5 because most of the few
modeling in that scale then were using HO track and trucks.
Come to think of it, I have two of Sweede's Sn3 Combine kits on the
shelf in original condition bought back in 1970. I have a third that
is built, and I have a set of long caboose end rails so that one of
the two can be the Pagosa Combine. I intended to build the late 212
(after the number swap with the 214), the Pagosa combine and an
open-frame coach. Wonder what they are worth to a collector these
days? Not that I would sell, after all, I'll probably get around to
them any day now...
Skip Egdorf
h...@lanl.gov