Perhaps On30 is the "new" Sn3. Those of us who may have been tempted to wander off into Sn3 about the time Bachmann brought out their On30 consider On30 to be a viable and much less expensive alternative.
As us Baby Boomer modelers grow older the smaller models become more difficult to work on(eye sight and hands) and as we retire there isn't quite as much disposable income for the more expensive Sn3 products. As less demand for Sn3 developed, fewer manufacturers were willing to spend money for tooling and equipment and marketing to make items for a slowly shrinking portion of the model railroad market..
That's just the way I see it. Other's opinions may vary.
Mark B
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This is a good topic because it points to the questions of just what Sn3 is and why even bother to model in this scale in the first place. Sn3 has been referred to as the "right" scale because of it's smaller size and large enough to accommodate detailing. As for being called the "scratch builder's scale", that's true, but it is also the scale's downside as well.
Yes, there are terrific structures available and, yes, one can find detail parts, but the width and depth of the variety of structure kits, detail parts, etc. is lacking. Even more so is the noticeable lack of non-Colorado prototype rolling stock and motive power. The scale seems to be frozen in time and stigmatized.
While D&RGW Sn3 coaches and baggage cars can be used as standard pattern Jackson & Sharp equipment for any Sn3 layout, the same is true of truss rod freight cars. A generic caboose isn't made at this time and, although BTS has been announcing an EBT caboose in Sn3 for years, that's a scratch build project. Funaro & Camerlengo used to produce EBT hopper cars in Sn3 which would be great as generic models, but they've stopped producing them years ago. I have two of the F&C EBT steel-sheathed boxcars painted and lettered for my Sn3 railroad as standard "modern" rolling stock along with adapted C&S steel underframe cars as standard rolling stock.
Keith Wiseman is currently keeping generic passenger car offerings on life support with these models that I have yet to buy:
http://www.locopainter.com/store/category.php?id=34
The big issue with Sn3 is the lack of affordable, generic RTR locos. If there is one thing that keeps the scale from growing, I think that this is it. Certainly the Railmaster ET&WNC loco is a good example of a standard Baldwin narrow gauge loco, but it's a kit and an expensive one at that.
I think that the scale will not grow so long as manufacturers continue to think of it as being an obscure part of the hobby instead of the "right" scale. Where is the promotion of Sn3? Where are the big ads for new products? Sadly, only on the website of the one big producer of Colorado prototype locos and other models. I called them once and asked if they had plans for producing East Coast or generic models. The answer? "There's no interest." Wait. No interest? How do they know? What survey are they referring to? Perhaps an NMRA survey of members and non-members alike as to their viewpoint on the scale? I don't know of one even being taken. For this manufacturer, it's the same old attitude. They certainly don't promote Sn3 in general but only their niche in the scale.
Sn3 will never have much of a future until a manufacturer starts taking the lead. Look at Bachmann for example. Where and what was On30 before Bachmann took the lead, began producing generic or adaptable locos and cars, and promoting them in a big way? I believe that such a bold, up-front move is way overdue in Sn3 and firmly believe that not only is the demand there, but the scale will grow and have a future. If they build it, the modelers will come.
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Over the years. Sn3 was referred to as "The Scratch Builders Gauge" I don't really see that as being changed in terms of railroad items. In terms on vehicles, 1/64 is popular on the die cast market for cars and trucks.
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BTW, if anyone has some PBL Southern Pacific equipment, or an unstated (or complete but unlettered) railmaster locomotive, or knows someone who does and they want to part with it, please let me know.
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Current status on Sn3?
Before I get started, let just say that I am already familiar with the benefits of Sn3. I dabbled in it about 10-15 years ago, bought some equipment, even had four PBL Foreground locomotives. Unfortunately, being in the Arizona construction market (engineering), I took a real hit when the economy tanked. All those beautiful locomotives were quickly seen as nothing more than liquid assets. At the same time, as most of you know, MMI and Blackstone started producing high quality models at a fraction of the price, so I chose to go those routes instead, since funds were limited, and have accumulated a fairly large supply of models in both scales since then. In fact, I would say I have pretty much everything I'll ever need, and probably more to build a very nice, mid-sized layout in either scale. The problem is, I can't see the numbers on the HOn3 equipment very well, and the O scale equipment probably won't allow me to create the overall look that I'm going for. It's great for dioramas, but I feel some layouts can look a bit toy like if the composition is off.
Sn3 to the rescue! After all, it's unofficial slogan is "big enough to see, small enough to operate". Ok, perfect, now let's look at a subject. Nothing against the RGS or the D&RGW, I love them both, just don't have the passion or desire to model them. I prefer a protolanced mining/common carrier line set in either Arizona, Nevada or California. I love the SP narrow gauge, as well as the eastern sierras, just not sure I want to stick to that single prototype. I do have an unpainted PBL SPNG #9, but no other Sn3 equipment. Seems like a freelanced line that connects with the SPNG, (or the standard gauge in Lone Pine), and runs into the mountains might be a nice option.
Now that you have some background, here's my dilemma. PBL aside, I have been looking for Sn3 tools and equipment, but am surprised at the difficulty in finding any. I even went to Coronado here in town, only to find that they didn't have any track or gauges. I know they can, and will order anything I want, that more of S commentary of what their shelves are stocked with, or more importantly, what people are buying. A search of the Internet resulted in some locomotives, but almost half were either sold, or I didn't hear back, suggesting they may no longer be in business. This has really tempered my excitement for changing scales. Now, I was able to reach John at Railmaster, and he's has been extremely helpful in providing information about his locomotive kits, and despite my fear of assembling them, I may give it a try anyway. Even the lack of response to my last post about contacting Railmaster was quite discouraging. I can't help but wonder where all the Sn3 modelers are. I know they're out there, because I still seem some amazing work displayed on the internet.
So, what does everyone else think of the current health and direction of Sn3. I know it's always been a lone wolf builders scale, but I also remember its popularity of the mid 80's and 90's, when people were jumping from HOn3. Is HOn3 and On30 killing Sn3? Is there only enough items being produced for those few dedicated modelers who have been working in this scale for many years? Even EBay is pretty sparse compared to the other scales. I guess what I'm try to say is, should I make the switch, or just make one of the other scales work? I love the size and possibilities of Sn3, but I don't want to be led down a path of frustration either. I have no doubt that I can fund this venture with my existing equipment, but I don't want to regret parting with it if the few resources I've found dry up in the next 5-10 years.
What does everyone else think?
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