On30? vs. On3 (36")

Friendly engine crew gave me a cab ride from Gembrook!

Only 30" gauge but it works heavy loads over 3% grades with vintage equipment.

When were you there Ace? I haven't been for years.

Speaking of O narrow gauge, there's a brass SR&RL #6 (unpainted) on eBay right now for $575. Is that a fair price? (Please someone tell me it's way to high - I need another scale/gauge like I need a hole in the head...)

Dave, I rode the Puffing Billy train in January and May of 2009, during a 5 month visit in Oz. It's one of the most impressive vintage railways I've ever seen with the operating collection of original equipment and substantial mileage of track on the original right of way. I caught a glimpse of their 2-6-0+0-6-2 Garratt loco G42, really amazing power for 30" gauge!

http://pbps.puffingbilly.com.a...otive-fleet/g-class/

Ace; The great thing is, it's not a recreation, it is actually a remnant of a much larger network. I remember riding it back in the 1960's, so it is a very mature institution.

Glad you enjoyed it.

Dave,

There isn't a thing wrong with what you're doing--whatever you feel comfortable with is the right way to go.

I personally think On30 is a more relaxed approach to narrow gauge, and that's a lot of the attraction of the gauge for me. I'm not much interested in modeling Colorado narrow gauge--it's been done to death by better modelers than me.

Jeff C

I am just getting into narrow gauge. I have had a Bachmann ON30 set for a few years, but I am just now thinking of building a shelf layout in my office. I had heard that there was much more available in ON30, but it seems that there is plenty available in ON3 from companies like MMI and Accucraft. I like the bigger equipment like the D&RGW ran. The little mine shifters and such that Bachmann has made recently in ON30 don't really do it for me. Most of their engines just look funny to me. IMHO the MMI models are a bargain! Getting all of that detail and smooth running operation for around $600 is fantastic to me. Coming from O standard and S maybe gives me a different perspective? The closest comparison I can make with S is the wonderful River Raisin 0-6-0 that sells for about $1400. I think I'd rather have A pair of MMI locos.

So, having said all that, what would make me want to chose ON30 over ON3? Hopefully that doesn't come off wrong... I seriously would like to know if I am overlooking something? As an admitted beginner.

jonny,

Most On30 engines negotiate 22" minimum radius track; many even do the typical 18" radius curves found in HO track since that is what they were designed to run on. This is accomplished by choosing very small prototypes and reducing frame and pilot detail to allow increased swing to handle these tight curves.

I believe the On3 engines are built more like typical 2-rail O scale engines with reduced swings of pilot and trailing trucks. Many models I have seen suggest 36" or greater radius as a minimum. 

In other words, more space is needed for a typical On3 layout than an On30. So one reason for choosing On30 is very similar to the main reason many of us choose 3-rail hi-rail O gauge with its tighter curves instead of 2-rail O scale.

Jim

Only you can decide which of those modeling scales would best suit your interests.  I'm a big fan of small "critters," so On30 fills the bill for me just fine.  There's certainly far more available (commercially) in On30 than there is in On3, but if what you like is available in On3, then I would say go for it.  There is no real competition involved between the scales; it's just that On30 has captured a larger segment of the market by default, thanks largely to Lee Riley and Bachmann.

Good points on the min radius. I also noticed that Micro Engineering has some track available, but I'll probably go the Fast Tracks route anyways.

Allan, compared to S there is a huge amount of ON3 available

Here is my ON30 on my hirail layout,

Anyone interested in narrow gauge modeling, regardless of scale or gauge, would be well advised to become a subscriber to "Narrow Gauge and Short Line Gazette" to keep up to date on what is available and how it is being used.  A superb publication in every respect.

Quote - "

Could somebody write something--just so I'm not the last word??

I no wanna be a thread killer....

Jeff C

Jeff,

I know the feeling! Seems I almost always kill threads when I post......and I may have just done it again!

Jim

I'll take the heat off you guys!  This thread has got me thinking of how I can make use of that extensive roster of On30 that I have boxed up and sitting in the cabinet behind me.  There has to be a pizza layout in my future!

Well Allan, enter the micro layout competition. I too, have had a considerable amount of On30 in the cabinet for a very long time and this is the perfect opportunity to put it to use.

Ironically, those are wider curves than our typical O27 and O31 curves for 3-rail. Has anyone tried sharper curves for On3 or On30?

I've done 8" radius curves for HOn30 with kitbashed equipment.  

Yep, I've operated On30 on 12" radius curves (short wheelbase locomotives of the "critter" variety, which is what I prefer in narrow gauge).  In fact, if/when I build another On30 pike, it will likely have 12" curves and I'll have to decide what I might want to do with my Forneys, Shays, etc.

I've had good success running On30 on Kato 16 7/8" radius curves. all of my On30 equipment will go around with no problem, including my Bachmann 4-6-0 and 2-8-0.

Obviously, these two locos look a bit silly on such small curves but two things can help mitigate that situation:

1. Use those curves only in areas where the scenery or structures helps to hide the sharpness of the curve...

2. Remember it's a hobby, and leave the rivet counting, proto-fidelity aspect of your personality upstairs when you go down into the basement...

I find that I relax much more when I use both of the above remedies to help me deal with my chronic lack of space for a layout. I think I'd be in On3 or Sn3 if I were more of a realism junkie...and On30 is well suited to people who take a more whimsical approach.

I think the one loco that needs a bigger curve to operate would be the Bachmann Forney.

Jeff C