Re: HOn3 engines as static display

Until Blackstone, HOn3 was never an RTR scale. There's a good deal of excellent brass available which can be converted to DCC sound. The Westside C-16 are really easy converts but you need to swap out the motor for a can design. Brian B really overstates the longevity (or lack of) of gearboxes. As for mktjames and 20 hours conversion, that might be true for a first timer but it gets easier and quicker with experience. If a loco is running well with a can motor in place it shouldn't take more than three hours to do what I would call a straight conversion.
As for added value, I would say that the satisfaction of seeing the loco you converted 'chuffing and whistling' round your layout is all added value that you cannot put a price on. I've a pair of T-12's - Balboa and Westside - on the bench, I've remotored both and they're undergoing new paint jobs. They will have TSU-2 1100's in them. Also here are two PSC locos - k-28 and K-36 which will also have TSU-2's but the 2200. They will look all and sound great. Will my efforts be rewarded by an increase in value - who cares. Remember this is a hobby not a profit exercise. I only hope that when I hand in my dinner plate, my friend will sell them for at least what I paid for them and NOT what I told my wife I had paid for them.

Mark K
Durango CO



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/17/2018 09:38PM by Marowicz.