HOn3 Extra Board
Welcome to the HOn3 Annual Extra Board! Here you’ll find extra content we just couldn’t fit into each jam-packed issue. We also welcome your contributions for exclusive features related to HO scale narrow gauge model railroading.
December 15, 2021
Scratchbuild a 24-Foot Boxcar in HOn3
This scratchbuilt HOn3 24-foot boxcar was typical of the equipment on The Milwaukee Road’s 3-foot gauge Bellevue & Cascade subsidiary in the 1930s.
December 15, 2021
Switching In/To HOn3
The author builds a detailed HOn3 diorama to help stay active in model railroad construction as his main On30 layout nears completion.
December 15, 2021
Converting and Modifying an HO Scale Locomotive to HOn3
Combining a brass White Pass & Yukon “Shovelnose” diesel body with parts from a Kato NW2 to make a reliable HOn3 diesel.
December 15, 2021
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.
June 15, 2014
Silver City Tool Shop Plans
The advent of home computers and printers has dramatically changed modeling in card. You are now able to download full color detailed print outs to construct models that rival some of the most detailed kits currently available. For tips and techniques used to construct detailed paper models.
August 1, 2013
Easy Techniques for Turning Styrene into Wood
The character of the Westcliff & Alton I am trying to create, that of very well used and aged equipment and structures, is not the normal state of styrene as a material. With that in mind, I began to explore techniques to transform the styrene surface into a reasonable representation of the material often associated with narrow gauge steam railroading, aged and weathered wood.
June 15, 2013
East Broad Top’s “Company Square” in HO scale
From its junction with the Pennsylvania Railroad in Mount Union, Pennsylvania, the East Broad Top wound its way in a southerly direction for some 30 miles, to the coal fields on the east side of Broad Top Mountain. The town of Robertsdale, Pa., was named for one of the principal investors when the EBT was built, it was the epitome of the company town.
March 15, 2011
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.
February 11, 2011
Rico Station Kitbash in HO scale
I have been building a module of the town of Rico on the Rio Grande Southern for our Hon3 Free-Mo group for a few years now. I chose the 1900-1910 era for this, as it would (theoretically) allow the Blackstone K-27’s to be on the line, but still have the original wooden engine house. One of the centerpiece structures is the Rico depot with its unique tower.
January 5, 2010
Introduction to HO Scale Narrow Gauge
HOn3 uses HO scale models that operate on 10.5mm gauge track to replicate true three foot gauge. Hobbyists going this route often build their own track, but HOn3 has always enjoyed the largest selection of pre-built turnouts and flextrack.
