One word: Price! On30 uses HO track which is not exactly to scale for a 36" Narrow Guage or similar. 0n3 is exactly to scale, most track is scratch built and rolling stock is much more expensive. Good Luck- Brad
Exactly. On30 tends to be divided between those who simulate Maine Two Foot type railroads. And those who run trains of a whimsical nature. And yes. On30 is cheaper. But, if you wish to do more than run "out of the box" stuff, usually requires you do some kitbashing. So your costs do go up in that regard. Boxcab E50
MMI, a division of PSC has started to produce more affordable On3 models. So far, I think only the K-27 has come out. It is a real beauty! The models will be available for both types of tracks. Bachman is really pushing the On30 line. That is why there are some very affordable models.
Hey thanks guys, That cleared up some things for me. Not that I plan on modeling in O or anything I was just naturally curious as to what the diference was.
On30 is growing at a wild rate. There are sites and groups popping up everywhere on the'Net. Seems like a new one every day! Popular in many ways. One being freedom from the straps of a prototype. Another being cost isn't extreme. And it's very tempting for me! Boxcab E50
I notice no-one ever actually answered your original question - On3 represents 36" or 3' gauge track, On30 represents 30" or 2'6" gauge track. 30" gauge, while not very common at all in the US, was widely used throughout the rest of the world, and still makes up a fair percentage of narrow gauge trackage in many countries. Boxcab E50 makes a comment about not being tied to a prototype, but outside the US there are many modellers who do follow a prototype, working in On30 All the best
To add to my previous post, here is a site that lists 30" gauge railroads around the world http://www.pearcedale.com/c&b/clasig.html
Mark- Welcome To TrainBoard! My comment about not being tied to a prototype, was speaking essentially of those I am acquainted with here in North America. While some in On30 certainly emulate a prototype, such here in the USA- Maine Two Footers, or Colorado 3 foot stuff, most of those I know in the scale build from pure whimsy. And that's one large reason they are in it. The unadulterated freedom to just do whatever their hearts desire. Here in the USA, there was some 30" prototype railroading. But that was for the most part, very scattered, short lived. And as many don't even know about it, thus rarely ever considered for modeling. Boxcab E50
BTW- In my earlier post, I did answer his question. He had asked" Whats the difference between On3 and On30? Does one mean 3feet and one 30"?" To which I'd responded: "Exactly." Boxcab E50
The scale (the ratio of the prototype to the model) is the same for both 0n3 and 0n30 (also sometimes designated 0n2 1/2): Both are 0 scale or 1:48 proportion (here in the U.S.). This means a 6' tall prototype person is 1 1/2" tall on the model. Just divide the prototype dimension by 48. The prototype and model track gauge is different for each: The term "n3" indicates a 36" gauge prototype and is represented by a model track gauge of 0.75". This is arrived at by dividing 36" (the prototype gauge) by 48=0.75" or 3/4". This is the accurate scale / gauge combination for models of 36" gauge prototype models in 0 scale. The term "n30" indicates a 30" gauge prototype, and is represented by a model track gauge of 0.649". Note that 30" (the prototype gauge) divided by 48=0.625" or 5/8", not 0.649". This discrepancy is due to the common use of existing H0 gauge track for 0n30 models. Close to 30" in scale, but not exact. The use of H0 gauge track keeps costs for track, switches, rolling stock and mechanisms low. 0n30 has really gained in popularity here in the U.S. over the last 5 to 10 years. For a pretty complete listing of the small scale names and their corresponding track gauges go to the NMRA's S-3.2 Standard Scale Trackwork (link).
It certainly has... Since this topic originated, I have come to own some On30. The possibilities.... Boxcab E50
Yes, 0n30 is very interesting. Here at the FREMO a few guys have started an 0n30 group, with modules. On30 Narrow Gauge USAischer Modelleisenbahner e.V. But I think to model in two different scales can give problems. You have always to calculate and can't trust your eyes. I've learned this when I switched from N-scale to H0. And now I'm very busy with H0n3. :angel: Wolfgang
I have formed an On30 modular group here in the Carolinas... If anyone is interested shoot me an email. We are building to the CCC On30 group standards...
Wolfgang-it is indeed possible to model in several scales, I know many fellows who do. I model 1:35n2, On20 (O scale on HOn3 gauge) and build locos and cars for fellows in HOn30, HOn3, HO, On30, On3, and some large scale from time to time. All you need is several rulers in various scales and work on one thing at a time. Try it. Woodie
Woodie, I know I could do it. I need only one ruler, a metric one. And then I use a calculator. But these would be too many different "building places" for me. I have my German style station "Naumburg", I have my H0 basement "Westport Terminal RR" and now I have quite a few H0n3 modules. Wolfgang
