2026 HOn3 ANNUAL: Now in its 18th year, the HOn3 Annual returns with 116 pages devoted to narrow gauge modeling and inspiration. Tour John R. Short’s Rio Grande Southern from Durango to Ridgway and explore Johnny Graybeal’s modeling of the East Tennessee & Western North Carolina during its golden age At the workbench, follow along as Paul Buhrke reconstructs a brass locomotive, Andrew MacRossie revives a classic C&S B3-C Mogul, and Thomas Engstrand builds a D&RGW-style turret depot. You’ll also find practical projects covering realistic rock scenery, easy drop-in gondola loads, small-space modeling, freight cars, trackside details, and troubleshooting Blackstone C-19s. Plus, explore HOn30 modeling, narrow gauge prototype information, new products, and much more. All this and more in the 2026 HOn3 Annual!
Growing Together
In addition to editing the HOn3, On30, and Garden Train Annuals, Chris Lane is now the new editor of Narrow Gauge & Short Line Gazette.
Better Looking Commercial Track in HOn3
Step by step instructions to make your pre-built HO scale track look like a hand-laid, down-and-dirty HOn3 narrow gauge line.
A Case for the Colorado & Southern
The Colorado & Southern and its related and associated railroads are an often overlooked subject for model railroads. Yet, the C&S was the largest narrow gauge railroad contained wholly within the state of Colorado. It was made up of several other railroads that were joined together after the repeal of the Sherman Silver Purchase Act, in 1893.
The Golden Age: Modeling the ET&WNC in HOn3
The advent of 3D printing makes modeling the East Tennessee & Western North Carolina Railroad in HOn3 a whole lot easier.
Blackstone Models Open Platform Coaches in HOn3
It may seem hard to imagine today, but once upon a time, the railroads were firmly in the passenger business. The new HOn3 open platform coach from Blackstone Models replicates the most numerous of the Rio Grande’s narrow gauge fleet with impressive fidelity and attention to detail.
Rio Grande 30′ Refrigerator Car from Blackstone Models
Blackstone has introduced the latest in their line of true-to-prototype HO narrow gauge rolling stock; the Denver & Rio Grande Western 30-foot “Short” reefer. A perennially popular prototype for narrow gauge modelers, this new car provides both variety and a bit of color to freight train consists.
MicroLux LaserKnife 2525 Laser Cutter
With only a few hours of practice, an amazing array of precise parts and models can be created in an almost limitless range of materials. Based on these attributes, Micro-Mark’s LaserKnife will allow the hobbyist to reach new levels with their models and may well prove to be “the ultimate tool” in anyone’s workshop.



















