Difference in On3 and On30

[SP Cabforward]

Whats the difference between On3 and On30? Does one mean 3feet and one 30"?

[CHARGER]

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

[BoxcabE50]

Originally posted by SP Cabforward:
Whats the difference between On3 and On30? Does one mean 3feet and one 30"? 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.

:D

Boxcab E50

[swissboy]

Originally posted by CHARGER:
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 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.

[SP Cabforward]

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.

[traingeekboy]

If you google On30 you can find lots of really nice layout sites online. Really impressive stuff.

[BoxcabE50]

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!

:D

Boxcab E50

[mark_newton]

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

[mark_newton]

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

[BoxcabE50]

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.

:D

Boxcab E50

[BoxcabE50]

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."

smile.gif

Boxcab E50