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.
September 29, 2026
D&RGW-Style Turret Depot in HO
Scratchbuilding a Denver & Rio Grande Western-style turret depot in HO scale using common materials and detail parts.
September 29, 2026
HOn3 Mini Layout: Blue Ridge Brick
Build an HOn30 mini layout inspired by the narrow gauge industrial railroad at the Palmetto Brick Company in South Carolina.
September 29, 2026
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.
October 6, 2024
Norman’s Creek: A 12×2 Switching Layout
A compact 12×2 HOn3 switching layout that includes a small yard and engine servicing facility.
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.
