Question about ON30....

Michael Hokkanen posted:

I have a multi-scale collection of steam engines. G, O, S, OO, HO, TT, N, and Z. (see picture) In your opinion is ON30 a distinctly different enough scale to add to this display or is it simply O scale in narrow gauge?

If you consider ON30 as a distinct scale on its' own, then you must consider On3, On2, Sn3, Sn2, HOn3 and HOn2, all narrow gauge models, as distinct scales. And to add to it all G scale covers a varied amount of scales, 1:22, 1:24, 1:29, 1:32; throw in 1:20.3 (some call F scale). There are even more varied narrow gauge scales.

I think you can add whatever you want to your display...if you want to add it, then go ahead! I think what you have already is impressive, and adding On30 would make it even better.

The important thing to remember is On30 (On3, On2, etc...) is not a scale, it is a gauge.  All are 1/4" O scale, just at these MTH and Bachmann 2-8-0's are:

And size can vary quite a bit in the narrow gauge world, depending on the locomotive and still be 1/4" scale:

Rusty

Rusty Traque posted:

The important thing to remember is On30 (On3, On2, etc...) is not a scale, it is a gauge.  All are 1/4" O scale, just at these MTH and Bachmann 2-8-0's are:

 

And size can vary quite a bit in the narrow gauge world, depending on the locomotive and still be 1/4" scale:

 

Rusty

Nicely done, Rusty! Photos depicting the models' size differences really do help to explain the fun world of narrow gauge to folks who have a hard time realizing/understanding that prototype narrow gauge stuff was often quite small in terms of physical size.

If you add On30 or On3 then consider HOn3 and Sn3. Then to make things really confusing most "G" gauge (1:22) is really narrow gauge. Standard gauge engines and rolling stock that run on "G" gauge track are 1:32.

Pete

It looks like you have covered the scales; if you want to collect all the gauges, as shown above, the task has just begun.  I would start with On3 and On2, but I am biased 

Thanks for the replies and the pics guys. Yes, very informative!

Rusty Traque posted:

size can vary quite a bit in the narrow gauge world, depending on the locomotive and still be 1/4" scale:

Just like locomotive size varied among narrow-gauge lines in real-life, too. Note the cabs on each of these locos are roughly the same height...