Items from Other Scales Usable in S

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.

Components

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)

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"

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."

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.

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"

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)