Mountain Model Imports – The “Hybrids”
At Trainz.com we’re routinely receiving deals from all over the country, and on occasion from across the world as well. A couple of weeks ago we managed to finalize a deal from California that featured a variety of some unique On3 locomotives from Mountain Model Imports. And when the deal came in, I couldn’t help but to be one of the first few to take a sneak-peek at the goods. And, I can tell you just based on first impressions, I was blown away. It wasn’t until I got to take an even closer look at these On3 locomotives that I got to really get to know Mountain Models Imports and why their products are top notch. Honestly I could ramble all day about these locomotives, so I think that’s exactly what I’ll do. Now that introductions are out of the way, let’s talk about some hybrid locomotives.
What is On3?
Despite being around since the 1950s, many find themselves pretty unfamiliar with this scale. Belonging to the "narrow gauge" family -- On3 scale models off of a first glance draw similarities to On30 and O gauge model trains, but there are some key differences to be aware of prior to setting up your On3 models on your layouts. The first major difference is the width of the track you'll be running your narrow gauge model on. On30 models won't have issues running on your HO track; the same can't be said for the On3 counterparts. On3 models will require track that measures 1/8th of an inch wider than conventional HO track, which at times can be quite hard to find. If you are looking for On3 track several manufacturers like San Juan Car Company provide different versions of Code 100 Flex Track that will be compatible with your On3 models.
Mountain Model Imports - The "Hybrids"
Here's where things get good. Our big On3 deal from California brought quite the assortment of beautiful hybrid On3 locomotives made by Mountain Model Imports. Mountain Model Imports is a smaller division of the powerhouse Precision Scale Company known for their brass locomotives and accessories. These Mountain Model trains are manufactured in South Korea where they're distributed through Precision Scale Company throughout the world. What I enjoy the most about these locomotives is their hybrid design. But, what exactly makes these locomotives a hybrid design? Mountain Model Imports designs their locomotives with both brass and die-cast metal. The primary construction of the train and its trim pieces feature mostly die-cast construction with brass fittings which leads to the hybrid moniker. But make no mistake, these hybrid pieces don't lack in quality one bit. For collectors looking to branch out beyond traditional Scale models like O and HO, but don't want to break the bank for some of the brass stuff on the higher end, then these hybrids are a great place to start. The die-cast framing gives the locomotive a nice, sturdy feel, and while not being nearly as brittle as their brass counter-parts, these On3 models will still need to be handled delicately as some of the trim pieces do have the frail feeling you may experience when handling a solely brass model. From a price perspective, the Mountain Model Imports locomotives are going to fall into a mid-tier category -- making them both affordable for anybody looking to expand their collections with unique locomotives, and still hold a great appeal for collectors who are strictly looking to keep these locomotives as mantle pieces for display. And fortunately for this particular collection of hybrid On3 models, we have several that are in incredible 'like-new' condition and pack powerful motors for hours of great run time.
Closing thoughts -- Is it On3 Time?
Don't tell me, you just can't resist adding your On3 model to your collection now, huh? No worries, we've just added the entire collection of On3 locomotives onto our website, Trainz.com for official listing! Be sure to check them out, there's some beautiful 2-8-2 and 2-8-0 models that I could hardly keep my eyes off of when they arrived. So as we wrap things up, just remember two things, your track will need to be just slightly wider, and don't forget to have fun!
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