I just learned a very expensive lesson about N scale track and HO narrow guage locomotives and rolling stock. I was under the impression that the HO narrow gauge rolling stock and locomotives being produced by Micro-Trains and Blackstone Models would run on regular N scale track... but... lo-and-behold... they are NOT compatible. The models being produced by Micro-Trains and Blackstone Models are true HOn3 (36" width)... whereas... typical N scale track is actually HOn30 (30" width). Therefore... unless I can regauge the wheels on the rollingstock and locomotive... I will not be using the n scale track. Since its too costly (and difficult with locomotives) to reguage the wheels... I'll have to find some HOn3 track to run these models. That was not the intention when I got these items. This... of-course... will conclude all of my investments in HOn3. So............... be fore-warned.............. HOn3 is NOT compatible with current N scale track.
That's a harsh reality when it comes right down to it. N scale narrow gauge was at first thought to run on Z track. I tried it and the wheels would fit on it but rode high on the flanges. Z track is to narrow.
I use Peco Z scale flex track for my Nn3 without any problem. I do hand lay my own switches but built to the same gauge. I used to run my Nn3 trains on a modular Z-Bend layout at local shows all the time. I just don't like the look of the ties as they are too small for N scale so will probably hand lay a lot of the track along the front of my Nn3 layout as I go.
?????????????? What kind of Nn3 equipment do you have? All the stuff I have seen anyone use is built on Marklin mechanisms which are Z locos. They run on Z track just fine. This is not a true three foot narrow gauge in N. It scales out to more,something like 40-42", I can't remember exactly what it is.
Nn3 on Z track scales out to 41". I have one tiny loop of Z track, and an engine that I may convert to Nn3. No problems here. Of course, I've got to find the right spot for the branch line on the layout.
The N scale track would not look very good with the HOn30 (or HOn21/2). I think there is HOn30 track made with better tie spacing. For your problem you might try Walther's for HOn30 wheel sets. I don't know if they will fit in the trucks you have. The loco will be more difficult. If you were planning on running this stuff on a N layout there are other problems you will have to contend with like clearances, radius, etc.
Actually... I was only going to test on a loop of Unitrack. I've got lots of extra Unitrack an figured I could make a small HOn30 layout... unfortunately... all this time I thought the HOn(3) was actually being built to fit the N scale track available. It's actually nice that the HOn3 was built to the correct gauge... I'm more upset with myself for 'assuming' and making an "@$$" of myself. :embarrassed: I've got no problems with the manufacturers making the models correct... imagine that. :wink2:
HOn3 is 36" gauge HOn30 is 30" gauge and why some call it HOn2-1/2 There is HOn3 and HOn30 track available. N gauge track will also work with HOn30, but the ties will not look right. Nn3 is made to work with Z gauge track. So far I haven't heard of Nn30, but I have heard of Nn2 that runs on special track with a magnet under it. http://www.lbforum.com/images/Messe%202007/Nm-n-tram-bavarian-LAG-tramway-loco.jpg
H0n30 is in europe also known as H0e (9mm wide) is H0n3 10,5mm or 12mm wide ? (there is different information available with google) if it is 12mm wide, track is available from Bemo (code 70) and Peco (code 75) steve w.
HOn3 is 10.5mm, 12mm gauge in HO scale is known as HOm and is popular for European metre gauge prototypes. -Cody
My Nn3 steamer has problems on MicroTrains Kato-esque track. The gauge is fine, but the joiners are so high they catch the wheel flanges. It's hand laid Code 40 for me, I guess. Now to figure out how to do dual gauge switches. :teeth:
HOn3 track is probably the way I'll go. The only sources for this track seem to be Micro Engineering and Shinohara. Neither seem to be easy to find in stock. I hope my LHS (who is a Blackstone dealer) has thought about stocking the HOn3 track too. In the future... I think I'll stick to N.... and some Z.... and some Nn3... and...
H0n3 track One problem with the usually available track is that there are only flex tracks, plus switches, as far as I know. But no fixed curves or small straights. As I can't have a permanent layout, I kept looking. Finally found a (somewhat expensive) manufacturer who produces among other gauges H0n3 tracks. The company is called Aspenmodel and is located in Germany. Here is the link: Aspenmodel (c)2005-2006 I have just ordered a set, but at this time I can't say anything about the quality yet. It's going to take about 8 weeks, they say. I'll post in the Narrow Gauge section where I have started an H0n3 track thread.
