Narrow Guage Conversions

[Pitt Bull]

I am new to HOn3 & HOn30, having been in HO for 20 yrs. I am not able to locate any Shay's or Climax's for logging oper. in HOn3 that are reasonably priced. I do not wanr sound or DCC. Also want to know where I can find the N scale power units to install into HOn30 conversion kits. Several articles refer to using N scale diesel mech., but give no brandnames or sources. I am trashing the HO roadstock for a smaller HOn3 layout. The HOn30 engines are for a portable layout I plan on taking around to the hospitals for the kids. Any help in locating HOn3 engines or logging cars or HOn30 Engines & logging cars would be appreciated! One last favor- has anyone explored the possibilities of "cutting down" HO cars  into HOn3?
I have saved several logging cars in HO that I want to try this on. I am hoping for having to change trucks & couplers only.

[ebtnut]

MDC/Roundhouse made a two-truck Shay kit (later offered in RTR) that was available in both HO and HOn3.  That's about the only "affordable" HOn3 geared loco I am aware of, and not sure if it is still available.  For HOn30, good diesel mechs from Kato and Atlas will fill the bill for internal combustion loco models.  There are some good N scale steamers out there, though they tend to be a bit pricey for bashing up.  Your call there. 

[richG]

I am new to HOn3 & HOn30, having been in HO for 20 yrs. I am not able to locate any Shay's or Climax's for logging oper. in HOn3 that are reasonably priced. I do not wanr sound or DCC. Also want to know where I can find the N scale power units to install into HOn30 conversion kits. Several articles refer to using N scale diesel mech., but give no brandnames or sources. I am trashing the HO roadstock for a smaller HOn3 layout. The HOn30 engines are for a portable layout I plan on taking around to the hospitals for the kids. Any help in locating HOn3 engines or logging cars or HOn30 Engines & logging cars would be appreciated! One last favor- has anyone explored the possibilities of "cutting down" HO cars  into HOn3?
I have saved several logging cars in HO that I want to try this on. I am hoping for having to change trucks & couplers only.

Join this group. http://www.hon30.org/

http://www.trainandtrooper.com/  Narrow gauge info. 
http://www.bnfhoby.com/  Click on HOn3 HOn30.
http://jehubbard.com/hobbies/hon30_model_railroad.htm  HOn30 rr

I am bashing a N gauge SW 1200 into a HOn30 vertical boiler Climax.
http://www.mrollins.com/climaxpix.html

Rich

[amdaylight]

If you want to go the HOn30 route, consider using the Atlas N scale shay, this way you will end up with a smaller shay rather than one  that looks oversize like the MDC shay on narrow gauge. Change a few details, put on a new cab and maybe make the tender a little bigger and you will have a nice HOn30 locomotive. I have two in the closet for just this kind of conversion. Atlas and Athearn/MDC both make a nice 2-6-0. Athearn/MDC also makes a nice 2-8-0. Model power makes a nice 4-4-0 and all of these locomotives would make good HOn30 Locomotives. For log cars I would Micro Trains log cars, either their HOn3 with their N Scale Trucks under it or their N scale log cars just as they come form the box. MTL 50' flat car with a wood deck and some fake framing would make a good flat car. Grandt Line and some else make Gilpin Tram hoppers, use MTL arch bar trucks under them and you will have good ore cars.

Hope these thoughts are of some help,

Andre Anderson