Restarting my HOn3 layout

centralRR Feb 1, 2013

  1. centralRR

    centralRR TrainBoard Member

    90
    1
    10
    After an absence of a year or two, I am restarting my HOn3 layout. I had sold off all the major items other than a couple buildings. I was going to restart in On30 and even bought 1 engine(thats now for sale) but lost interest and decided to go back to HOn3 with the advant of the new track from Blackstone and Peco. I picked up a PSC DRGW Short Caboose kit today at the LHS and have 2 sets of PSC log car kits in layaway at another. Going to kind of do a fictional logging/mining branch off the DRGW main line. Motive power is going to be a leased K36 and the short caboose, along with the necessary rolling stock. This way I can satisfy my logging desires and DRGW narrow gauge at the same time. In time I may get a geared engine, but will be all rod engines for now. I have a nicely updated Balboa K36 found, raising funds to purchase it now and will be looking at a Balboa T12 thats nicely pro painted and cheap in price this weekend. Cheers Mike
     
  2. centralRR

    centralRR TrainBoard Member

    90
    1
    10
    Thinking for a leased engine, the K36 might be massive overkill for the spin off line, what do you guys/gals think? Would I be better off with a K27 or C25? The K36 is just a killer deal, new motor/gear box, lighted number boxes, lighted class lights, headlights ready to be lighted. Just needs painted and decaled and all the lights added, everything else is ready. OR, for the same basic money I can get a Sunset factory painted K27. I know those run well as I used to have one. I refuse to pay the prices for BS engines, out of my budget right now, sticking to the $300 and under price range. Mike
     
  3. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

    67,560
    22,734
    653
    Do you have an idea as yet, what you'll be building for a layout? I've seen your T-Trak inquiry....
     
  4. centralRR

    centralRR TrainBoard Member

    90
    1
    10
    I only have room for a small 2' by 8 foot shelf right now. The T trak layout will let me run more. Not sure whether to do a small yard, or small town to be switched. I havent bought a single engine yet, but offered up for consideration is a Balboa K36 with massive upgrades mentioned above but needs painted, a new in the box for $300, Sunset factory painted K27 for 275, a PFM/United K28, custom painted, Sagami can motor, GME sound cam on rear driver set no lights no box for $350 and a Balboa pro painted, lighted T-12 for $199. Now if a bumblebee 268 from WSM showed up for a resonable price that might excite me for something other than a K class Mikado or the T12. I know the Sunset K27s normaly run nice, just need a ground wire jumper to the motor from the frame. The Balboa has all of its issues taken care of but needs painted properly, the PFM K28 is decent, a bit high in price I think for lacking its original box and its been run quite a bit, but will probably be the best runner in the long term. Ideas, suggestions?
     
  5. customNscaler

    customNscaler TrainBoard Member

    155
    5
    15
    I just rebuilt a balboa k36 added lights, dcc/sound, new motor, painted and decals. I'm prolly right around $500 in it right now. If you can't paint then it'll prolly cost a couple hundred more for someone to paint. I'm in love with the k36 so I don't mind paying. With that being said the BS k-27 is worth it. I payed $340 for mine and all you gotta do is put it on the track and off it goes.
     
  6. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

    67,560
    22,734
    653
    Wasn't there talk of someone doing a Bumblebee, earlier last year? Or was that just a brief, wild rumor?
     
  7. centralRR

    centralRR TrainBoard Member

    90
    1
    10
    I think BS did the C19 in the bumblebee colors that one engine wore for a movie back in the day. The only bumblebee I want is C16 #268. Mike
     
  8. centralRR

    centralRR TrainBoard Member

    90
    1
    10
    Looked at a nice Balboa T12 today from a local dealer. I plan to buy it as soon as some stuff I have listed on fleabay sells. He also has a PFM K28, he found the box and tender, engine is somewhere he thinks. Price will be much more affordable than anything else I have offered right now. Hopefully he can find the engine. He knows I want that one as well. Anybody looking for a On30 Climax with DCC/Sound? Need it gone fast! I did pickup a DRGW flat car, built up and painted, Grandt Line trucks, Kaydee's for $10 from him. Gonna go dig out my remaining HOn3 track. Cheers Mike
     
  9. swissboy

    swissboy TrainBoard Member

    646
    14
    21
    No headlights, no paint, that's far from what I would consider buying. So to each his own. Hope it's at least running smoothly.
     
  10. centralRR

    centralRR TrainBoard Member

    90
    1
    10
    Robert, he did all the hard work, replacing all the older crude castings with current brass castings, adding the hollow class lights, lightable number boards ect. He also replaced the poor factory gear box with a NWSL one along with a matching can motor. Thats alot of work, that model usualy sells for his asking price without all the upgrades. I ment that it just needs finished out with a paint job and installing all the light bulbs. Thats the norm with most older brass imports. Mike
     
  11. swissboy

    swissboy TrainBoard Member

    646
    14
    21
    Mike, I'm fully aware of this. However, this will become a rather costly engine in the end. And you were originally talking about "affordable", not whether it's worth its money.

    Personally, I have a rather low opinion of brass. The majority of the models offered these days are of the low standards of yesteryear. They are coming to the market now because their former owners have often passed away. In the past, as there had not been alternatives, these models provided the only way for most to enter into the NG field. But the models mostly do not deliver the high standards of Blackstone or MMI models, yet they cost still much more than their standards would warrant. I'm not saying there is no superb brass, but those models are in a quite different price class than what we are discussing here. Brass as discussed here, usually has way too thick grab irons, railings etc, and the details are often either missing or crude, as you said. And no installed headlights, no paint. There are brass lovers, but brass is at best a piece of art, not a real model. But as always, the great thing about model railroading is that we can all set our own priorities. It's just the fact that you said BS engines were overpriced that got me going. If it had not been for BS, I would not be in HOn3. Maybe with the exception of buying some brass for display, but not for running.
     

Share This Page