Is On3 dead

I would say very unlikely, very very unlikely.

ON3 was very wide spread as a common carrier in the late 1870s.     Think of all the colarodo narrow gauge most famous were D&RGW and RGS.   Also the East Broad Top and the Ohio River and Western in Ohio were quite established and long running.    ON2 was only used in Maine as far as I know on a few small railroads that were common carriers.    ON2 was used a lot in industry I think. 

ON30 (2 1/2 feet) was used in industrial applications in the US, but not as a common carrier as far as I know.   I think ON30 or 750MM or 760MM (both used in Germany) were more often used as common carrier gauges in other countries including south American.

So to sum up, if you want to model a narrow gauge RR in the USA, there is much much more to choose from in ON3 than anything else.

Most On30 can be re-gauged  to On3, for cheaper rolling stock and engines.

On3 Brass still gets high prices on Ebay.

I try to buy any On3 brass under $200 I find at swap meets.

DCC electronics , can motors and sound can be added to older models.

Bachmann On30 likely saved On3 from early death.

I liked On3 when I was running it.  Glad that it still is around.

Too bad Bachmann doesn't offer On3 versions....I would acquire some, and install an interchange. On30? Nyet!

The Bachman stuff could have the trucks changed, or the wheels replaced or regauged on the freight cars.    That would work for an interchange.    It might be a lot of work to change a steam loco.

There have been several B-Mann steam conversion article's in Narrow Gauge and Shortline Gazette.

I think there's plenty of room in the hobby for On3 and On30, along with Sn3. I would like to see Bachmann release a 8-18c 4-4-0 in On30, as PSC will never do it.

Jeff C

I kept two On3 cars, an outside braced boxcar and a high side gondola which I put Lionel O gauge trucks on to run them with my General train. Just a wee bit more narrow but look good.

As a 49 year old, I have been in On3 for 21 years, along with 2 rail O, On30 is a "different" scale IMO.
It offers nothing to me, all plastic, out of gauge, wrong tie spacing, if I was on a tight budget or if it was
used as part of a background scene for me I would definitely consider it, since thats not my case, it 
does not offer me any thing. I also love the fact that with scales like S, Sn3, On3 and others require
"real" modeling, not RTR or "shake" a box skills, so like nice cars and art, you learn to really appreciate
what modelers have done on their On3 layouts. ncng

That's why there's room for both On3 and On30, NCNG...and both gauges together can create a bigger total market for narrow gauge related product in O scale.

As far as craftsmanship goes, that can be found in every scale/gauge  medium if you look for it.

Jeff C

ON30 is not a different scale.   It is a different gauge.    It is still O scale, just runs on 30 (actually 32) inch gauge  track.     I understand that Peco makes track and switches with more accurate tie spacing for 1/4 inch scale ON30 as opposed to using HO gauge track.

leikec posted:

That's why there's room for both On3 and On30, NCNG...and both gauges together can create a bigger total market for narrow gauge related product in O scale.

As far as craftsmanship goes, that can be found in every scale/gauge  medium if you look for it.

 

Jeff C

Jeff C,

Very good point and I agree, it does increase the market size for O scale narrow gauge, I have a good friend in On2,
we our both on the same page in regards to On30, and since we both love the "craftsman" side on modeling, plastic
On30 taste's like bad Whiskey! I am obviously for growing the narrow gauge market too.

Happy Easter!

ncng

prrjim posted:

ON30 is not a different scale.   It is a different gauge.    It is still O scale, just runs on 30 (actually 32) inch gauge  track.     I understand that Peco makes track and switches with more accurate tie spacing for 1/4 inch scale ON30 as opposed to using HO gauge track.

Thank you my friend, I realize its all 1/4" scale, I also love the point that Jeff C made above about increasing the size of the narrow gauge market size, On30 just taste's like bad Whiskey to me.

Happy Easter!

ncng

prrjim posted:

ON30 is not a different scale.   It is a different gauge.    It is still O scale, just runs on 30 (actually 32) inch gauge  track.     I understand that Peco makes track and switches with more accurate tie spacing for 1/4 inch scale ON30 as opposed to using HO gauge track.

Micro-Engineering also makes On30 track:

Rusty

I had a beautiful D&RG On3 'Mikado' with the green boiler that I intended to use on my 'regular' O gauge layout. It had so much fine detail and I must assume it was a smooth runner. I traded a 726 Berkshire + some $$ with Mike Pierce who passed away a year or two ago...

Is this layout On3 or On30?

I certainly hope not as we have re-released The Russian River engine house an later this year we will be re-releasing the line of freight car. Here is a link to the engine house.

http://www.scalecitydesigns.co...ian-River_p_208.html

This was designed by the exceptional modeler Chris Comport.

wbg pete posted:

Is this layout On3 or On30?

 

Blasphemy, Pure Blasphemy I tell ya. Pete how Dare you build such a Beautiful layout in ON30?, have you no Shame?

Doug

A very nice layout, no matter the gauge.