Narrow Gauge Railroading

This page is dedicated to Narrow Gauge Railroading in HOn3 Scale. I am a big fan of Narrow Gauge Railways especially those found in the American West. Railroads such as the Denver & Rio Grande Western and the Colorado & Southern have a rich and nostalgic past that captures your imagination.

(above) This is a view of the Rock Cut on the Alta Vista Line.

(above) The Water Tank on the Alta Vista Line. I built this water tank from a Simpson Models Kit back in 1977. I used it orginally on my HOn3 Rio Grande & Southwestern Railroad that I built during my highschool years. The water tank has survived to end up on my current layout.

(above) Lots of trucks are down at the Westcliff Depot. The Westcliff Depot serves the lower Westcliff Line on my HOn3 layout.

(above) Denver & Rio Grande Western (D&RGW) C-21 Class 2-8-0 No 361. This is an upgraded Balboa Scale Models Import that I remotored, added detail, painted, and lettered.

(above) This is a scratchbuilt Tool and Water Car that is based on one that was featured in an old issue of Railroad Modeler Magazine in 1970s. I have lettered my model for the D&RGW.

(above) This is an HOn3 Nacionales De Mexico (N de M) Narrow Gauge 2-8-0 that I made from a Custom Brass HOn3 C-21 model (January of 2001). Major changes include a new oil burning tender made from parts from three different tenders and a new boiler front and details. I used solder as the adhesive for the various changes. I painted and lettered the model myself. The decals are from various Champ Sheets.

(above) No 349 - Originally named the "Utah" when first built for the D&RG, this locomotive was the last of the C-19 class and was sold to a lumber company and finally scrapped in 1940. In my version of history, No 349 remained on the D&RGW into the "Flying Rio Grande" era. This is a refurbished Balboa Scale Models C-19 that I remotored and painted myself. No 349 is crossing the wooden trestle on the Alta Vista Line.

(above) Another shot of No 349 on the Alta Vista Line.

(above) The Westcliff Depot. Built from a modified and re-painted Kibri Kit.

(above) Denver & Rio Grande Western No 283 next to the engine house in Espanola on the old layout.

(above) Victor Gold Mining Gondola built from a La Belle HOn3 Craftsman Kit. The prototype of this car was once used on the Florence and Cripple Creek Railroad in Colorado.

(above) Rio Grande K-27 "Mudhen" No 457 in front of the partially completed Westcliff Depot. I still need to add the depot name "Westcliff" on the white boards mounted on each side. The No 457 is finished in a "what-if" post-1940 scheme. I am enjoying finishing my Rio Grande engines in this manner.

(above) No 450 - This was the lead locomotive of the 450-class K-27s of the Rio Grande. I have finished my 450 as if it survived beyond 1939. It is seen here in front of the Westcliff Depot which is still under construction.

(above) Rio Grande Southern Boxcar.

(above) Looking out across the deck girder bridge on the Westcliff Line.

(above) No 477 - One of the Sports Models.

(above) Locomotive No 344 hauling a short train on the Alta Vista Line.

(above) Locomotive No 344 in the Espanola Yard.

(above) Locomotive No 456 crossing the steel bridge.

(above) An old worn out boxcar.

(above) No 456 passes the campground.

(above) No 348 is regular engine on the Alta Vista Line.

(above) Former stock and freight loading area on the Westcliff Line.

(above) No 456 - one of the famous "Mudhens".

(above) Several cabooses and a flanger rest beside the engine house and await the call to duty.

(above) A quiet morning down in the freight yard.

(above) A Florence & Cripple Creek Caboose brings up the rear of this short freight train on the Alta Vista Line. The Alta Vista Station can be seen in the right side of the photo.