I recently (last year) picked up a couple of T&T brass HOn30 2-6-2 steam locomotives. My interest in 600mm (2 foot) gauge trench railways and the 2-6-2Ts they used drew me into the 2 foot gauge realm and in doing so, I subconsciously (at the time) closed a loop that opened in February 1980. Here's the story. I was a 12 year old with a passion for trains and a Tyco HO layout growing up by the triple track in Aurora, IL. The railroading I saw was fast and often and I wanted more track per square inch on my layout. Then I discovered Model Railroader and my whole outlook changed. My second issue (February 1980) had an article on the HOn30 Carrabasset and Dead River and I have Bob Hayden and Dave Frary to thank for giving me a whole new perspective on the hobby. That article introduced me to what a layout can be with regards to operating and scenery. In 1980, the C&DR was a single track, point to point operation but to my 12-year-old eyes, the scenery looked REAL and it was just a couple locomotives moving cars SOMEPLACE with a PURPOSE - an epiphany! At that point I realized that while I was looking at the triple track, I was missing the old CB&Q Geneva branch that ran through my neighborhood or the original Aurora Branch Railroad line to West Chicago. I still have that issue although I think I wore the color off the cover reading it so many times. I still love triple track mains and shiny Zephyrs but it gave a greater appreciation of the hobby as a whole and for simple little lines trying to hold on. Maybe I don't model what you do but we can still appreciate each others' modeling skills and can learn something about railroading we didn't know. So that's the story of how I really got hooked on model railroading and here is a couple pictures of the little honey of a S.R.&R.L. HOn30 2-6-2. I have two of these so I guess I'll have to make something so I can show these off and move cars someplace with a purpose. In the mean time, they work great on on my N scale test layout. Andy Tetsu Uma
Very nice engine! Just add some coal or it will not run much longer. ;-) As for imagination, I'm approaching 70 but I can still imagine scenery when I have none at all.
Nice ,have one also but no Hon30 layout but it runs on my N scale layout just fine. Need to look for that issue maybe help decide which narrow gauge scale to go with. Rick
I think that if you like to freelance, I think HOn30 is great because of N scale mechs. Some really nice HOn30 (kits and RTR) available from Japan as well as the MinitrainS RTR. I'm also planning a 3' gauge copper hauler set in the Michigan U.P. but that's another thread. Andy Tetsu Uma
C&DR articles are all well worth reading. One thing I've thought about is trying to search up a list of them. Anyone have access the magazine article database? There is a lot happening in On30 these days. Many nice items available.
C&DR Articles Besides the February 1980 MR, I found the November 1979 MR, November 1981 MR, September 1998 MR, October 2008 MR, and a trackplan on the MR website. It was also featured in the 1991 Great Model Railroads. Here's a like to a 1972 RMC article on C&DR diesel power. C&DR Diesel Power. I'm sure the Narrow Gauge rags have more articles.
