Support this website by joining the Silver Rails TrainWeb Club for as little as $1 per month. Click here for info.



This website has been archived from TrainWeb.org/mhrr to TrainWeb.US/mhrr.


HO>>S<<O
Structures, Scenery, and Supplies
Rolling Stock and Trackwork
from Other Scales, usable in S.
Revised January 23, 2005
 Back
 
Description
Scale
Manufacturer Reference Comments

S Narrow Gauge Equipment
 Rogers 4-6-0  HO  Mantua  June 1997 NASG Dispatch  "...not an exact model of any particular locomotive, but is close to several."  This is a "how-to convert to S scale" article.
4-8-0  HO  Mantua   Dave Heine  Not listed in current Walther's catalog
2-6-6-2T  HO  Mantua  Dave Heine  "about 90% the size of an Sn3 Uintah locomotive."
Old Timer 2-8-0
HO
 MDC  Dave Heine "In S, this is similar in size to a DRGW C-19."
2-truck Shay
HO
 MDC  Dave Heine "Converts to a 20-25 ton Sn3 Shay.  Make new cab and add details."
MDC HO Shay
HO
 MDC  Dave Heine V&T has a conversion kit to make this S scale.
Shay HOn3  MDC  Dave Heine Makes Sn2 Shay.
3-truck Shay 
HO
Bachmann Bruce Mohn "The Bachman Shay is a model of a three truck Shay with an unbracketed three cylinder engine, ie, an early model.  The engine is large and should be quite visually acceptable as an S scale model.  It can be pared down to a 2 cylinder model, allowing lighter tonnage two truck Shays to be built." 
2-truck Heisler
HO
 Rivarossi  Dave Heine  "Modify cab and details.  Use V&T conversion kit."
Class A Climax
HO
 MDC  Dave Heine  "Modify cab and details."
Porter 0-4-0
O
 Grandt Line  Hoquat Hobbies On-3 plastic kit, may be converted to S 
Porter 
On30
 Bachman  Steve Jobbins 
 Gregg Elems
 Ron Snyder
"Locos need steam chest pistons and wheels parted to fit "S" rail sizing."  "On page 17 of the Sept. 1974 S-Gaugian there is a photo of the On30 Porter as used by the Illinois Central in standard gauge.  Identical except for scale, gauge, and smokebox door."
2-6-0 Mogul  On30  Bachman See Review on page 23 in the Oct/Nov 1998 issue (V6#5) of "S/Sn3 Modeling Guide."  "One of the members of the CT S Gaugers has also done the conversion.  It requires extending the axles and some work on the pickups. It probably should have new details (at least things like airpumps, headlights...) and probably a new or cut down cab to blend in with scale equipment, it fits in reasonably with AF like the oversized Franklin loco as is, with a much more refined appearance." 
2-8-0
HOn3
 MDC  Dave Heine  "Makes Sn2 loco.  Modify cab and details."
Rotary Snowplow
HO
 Athearn  Dave Heine  October 1999 NASG Dispatch
Old Timer 
Box,  Stock,
and 
Reefer Cars
HO

 

 MDC

 

 Dave Heine

 

 "These are about the right size for older narrow 
gauge cars.  Should be slightly wider for Sn3, or slightly narrower for Sn2.  Add S details. 
Ladder is perfect for S."
Sand and Gravel Car
HO 
 MDC 1470  Dave Heine  "Makes up into an Sn3 ore car.
3-Bay Hopper
On3
 MDC  Dave Heine  "Stand-in for EBT hopper."
Wood Ore Car  HO  Tichy 4012  Dave Heine  "Change the brakewheel and trucks.   Also usable for Sn2."
Logging Disconnect
HO
 Kadee  Dave Heine  
Truss Rod Log Car
HO
 Kadee  Dave Heine  
Skeleton Log Car
HO
 Kadee  Dave Heine  
Climax Log Car
HO
 Keystone Locomotive Works  Dave Heine  
Large Gilpin Ore Car
On2
 Grandt Line  Dave Heine  "Just change brakewheels and trucks."
Small Gilpin Ore Car
On2
 Grandt Line  Dave Heine  "suitable for Sn2 using HOn3 trucks."
Log Car, Ore Car
 O
 Industrial Rail  Chris Zizzo  "The log car and ore car could be Sn3 with only a truck change.   Nice details."
Arch Bar Trucks 
HO 
 MDC  Dave Heine  "regauge the wheels" 





Industrial Locomotives (Critters)  -  Narrow Gauge or Standard Gauge

Whitcomb HO Athearn (?)   2nd Diesel Spotter's Guide,
June 1998 NASG Dispatch
Very similar to 30 tonner shown on the left side of the Whitcomb page of the 2nd Diesel Spotter's Guide.
Conversion Unit   NWSL  Dave Heine Conversion unit for Athearn Hustler.
Plymouth HO Bachmann  1970 Loco and Car Cyclopedia Looks same as Model M shown in Plymouth ad on page 1049.



Tom Hawley I made some Bachman 3-axle little industrial switchers run on S gauge track, years ago.  There is sufficient width between side-frames to put in S-gauge (scale) wheel-sets. 
Plymouth HO Bachmann  1970 Loco and Car Cyclopedia Looks same as Model W shown in Plymouth ad on page 1049.
Plymouth HO Unknown  1970 Loco and Car Cyclopedia Looks like a longer version of the  Model D shown in Plymouth ad on page 1049. 
Plymouth HO Unknown  1970 Loco and Car Cyclopedia CR-4 Series,  looks undersize in comparison to the above models.  Perhaps is closer to HO than to S.

 
 
         

Trackwork
Code 83 Rail Braces HO Details West Keith B. Thompson
Code 83 Fish Plates HO Details West Keith B. Thompson These are the plates that span the joints between 
rails.
Manual Switch  Throws N Caboose
Hobbies
Bob Jackson "...entirely adequate throw, and visually less 
obtrusive than HO throws."  Caution: the throw 
might NOT be enough for closing-frog switches; 
use O throws - TL
Manual Switch 
Throws
HO
O
Caboose 
Hobbies
Charlie Smith

 

Especially good are the O gauge rigid and sprung 
for hirail, and I think the HO is useable for scale. 
I forget the exact numbers for O but they may be 
207R and 208S. 
Switch Stands  HO  #1914   NJ International Bob Jackson "In the yard, I employ Lo Ramapo HO Switch Stands... 
These stand about 32 S inches above the ties and have much better presence than any others that I have seen."
Switch Stand  N

 

 #2914   NJ International Bob Jackson  
Wheel Stops
HO
Sequoia 
Scale 
Models
Roger Zeuerlein "I tried them on code 100 rail, the height is good 
but the railhead slot was a little sloppy.  Trying it 
on code 125, it fit like a glove."  Available from Walthers. 
Double track truss bridge
HO 
 Walthers Roger Huber 
Dave Heine
"This HO bridge looks like a very heavy duty bridge from the size of the beams or trusses.  The bridge would probably need to be narrowed
some as it's 5" wide according to the box.  No height info is given."- Roger Huber  -  "There is not enough vertical clearance for normal S scale train use.  Most narrow gauge trains will work and it can also be used as a roadway bridge.   Frank Titman built one for a review in the S Gaugian when it was a new kit."  Dave Heine
Bridge
HO
Central Valley Dave Heine "The Central Valley HO bridge can be used in Sn3, but it is too small for standard gauge trains."
         

Standard Gauge Rolling Stock
Dbl Door 40' Box O27  Lionel Ted Larson Detail is coarse (50's vintage), no specific prototype known, but size is right on.  Nice for added variety.
Auto Rack O27  Lionel   Several sources report that this is very close to exact S.
Add lenghth to make it 89' 9" long (Jeff Tangeman).
Tender O27  Marx James Sleeth Long and short tenders.  Fit right over AF tender frame.
Coal Hopper On3  C&BT Car Shops
990001
  East Broad Top 3 Bay Hopper.  Matches size of  S standard gauge hoppers.  Does not match design of any known prototype standard gauge hopper, but adds variety at low price.  Some S modelers use this for their Home Road hoppers
Old Tyme Loco 
and 
Passenger Set
On30  Bachmann
2500x series
Coach / kitbash by Gary Ippolito Several people report that this set can be adapted to S.  Dave Heine states that it was designed to be widened to S, which is slightly wider than On3.  Probably needs new trucks.   Gary reduced the height of his coach. 
Porter  On30 Bachman Steve Jobbins 
Gregg Elems
Ron Snyder
"Locos need steam chest pistons and wheels parted to fit "S" rail sizing."  "On page 17 of the Sept. 1974 S-Gaugian there is a photo of the On30 Porter as used by the Illinois Central in standard gauge.  Identical except for scale, gauge, and smokebox door."
2-6-0 Mogul  On30 Bachman See Review on page 23 in the Oct/Nov 1998 issue (V6#5) of "S/Sn3 Modeling Guide."  "One of the members of the CT S Gaugers has also done the conversion.  It requires extending the axles and some work on the pickups. It probably should have new details (at least things like airpumps, headlights...) and probably a new or cut down cab to blend in with scale equipment, it fits in reasonably with AF like the oversized Franklin loco as is, with a much more refined appearance." 
Caboose
O27
Industrial 
Rail

(United Model Distributors)

April 2000 NASG Dispatch /
Jim Kindraka /
Tom Hawley
Several sources have reported this to be of correct size for S scale.   "The caboose is a dead ringer for the AT&SF standard cupola version..."  "There is a Grand Trunk caboose on display at the station at Durand Michigan that was obviously built from the same general plans as those followed by the builders of the prototype of the IR caboose, with only minor variations.  The IR caboose appear to be a few scale inches too wide to match the prototype caboose, but it is just about the width of a standard, traditional 40-ft boxcar."
1939 N&W HC-3 Hopper
O27

 

Industrial 
Rail
Jeff Madden / 
Chris Zizzo /
Richard Karnes
This model is 14% larger than S scale, but some S modelers find it acceptable due to the variety that it provides.
"Replace trucks to make modern S hopper.... compare it to an American models CD hopper.  Same width, height and length!"  "Look at the Feb. 2001 Mainline Modeler magazine.  It contains several photos as well as an S scale drawing of a 4-bay hopper similar to the Industrial Rail design.  It's an N&W class HC-3."  Kitbash to 3 or 5 bay PRR hopper, see April 1989 NASG Dispatch or Oct. 1981 MR.
 Gondola
 O
 MTH  Alex Binkley "I took the center out of a MTH gon (it's close to 60 feet long in S) to make it 10 feet wide.  Makes not a bad looking unit."
4000 Gallon Tank Car
HO
Various   RMC April 1989 has an article on 4000 gallon "North American Car Co. two-dome tank car".  MR June 1994 has an article on "Modeling a Shipper's Car Line 4000 gallon tank car in HO scale." 
 Smoke Unit    MTH  Bill Clark, Oct. '99 Dispatch Install MTH smoke unit into AF Steamer.
         

Component
Louvers HO Smokey Valley Larry Jackman "Anyone have a good hint on how to make louvers for the outside of the locomotive engine panels or know of a part to use in S or HO?"  "Use Smokey Valley Louvers" - Larry Jackman

Archbar Trucks
 On30
 Bachmann  Walt Danylak
"The Bachmann On30 arch bar trucks scale out to about 5', the same as the Ace arch bar trucks. Granted, you need to cut off the bolster and make a new one, but all in all, it's a nice looking truck. Walt Danylak"
 
 
 
 
 

Open Car (flat & gondola) Loads
various HO Rocky Mountain Rails RMC, Jan. 2000, P. 118 Shipping crates, water pipes, cable reels, steel coils, 14 ft HO propeller, lumber stacks - HO 2x4 and 2x10, 10 ft gear with pinion (per G. Elems)
         
         
         
         

ad pos61 ad pos63
ad pos62 ad pos64



Support this website by joining the Silver Rails TrainWeb Club for as little as $1 per month. Click here for info.