Has anyone ever seen a combination layout for these 2 scales both using HO track? Thinking about having interchangable buildings and uses to switch scale and time periods for some variety. Do not have room for 2 layouts. Really like the modern diesel opeation, but also narrow guage here in Colorado. I know trees and some other scenery will not always be in scale. I though the variety in detail and operation could be fun for a relative small 10 X 8 layout. Any other complications too consider?
If you really want to run both HO and On30 on the same layout, I’d actually design the layout so most of it was plain old scenery and mainline. Have one 2’x4’ (or so) area the dedicated switching area, and build a reversable HO/O switching area. It’s more than just the buildings that will have to be changed. Roads, telephone poles, basically anything manmade will be twice as large in O, and will occupy 4 times the volume.
Alternatively, you could build the entire layout as double-sided modules, and just flip them all over when you want to run the other scale. You’ll have two full layouts occupying the same physical space! Attach the legs to the outsides of the modules, and they won’t interfere with scenery.
Either that, or just build to one standard (whichever one you feel you’ll be running more often), and only run the other stuff when no one’s looking!
Another option is what some people do with HO and N scales. Put the On30 in the front of the layout and use forced persepective to put your HO trains, buildings, etc in the background. Everything looks smaller father away.
I think it will work. Track spacing and clearences would have to be On30.
Large trees in HO would be small trees in On30. Roads are more of a problem. I suggest having removable scenery sections, not just buildings, to incorporate paved roads, and other scale specific scenery. Not all scale specific items would have to be on the sections, however. For instance replacing an HO scale semi on a gravel road with a O scale pickup can change the scale of the road. Non scale specific scenery could be permanent. On the On30 scenery in the background could remain HO for forced perspective as chewie8han suggests.
The only element I see that would be an obvious compromise is the track and roadbed.
Since I enjoy working in 0n30 and HO scales, I’ve designed my layout so I can model in both scales. My layout runs along the perimeter of a 15’ x 12’ room on shelves around 2’ wide. Two sides of the layout is scenicked for On30 scale while the other two sides are scenicked for HO. Since the track gauge is the same both scales can run around the layout with no problems. While it isn’t prototypical when the On30 train is running through the HO portion and vice versa it’s a compromise I can live with. I pretend the train has entered another dimension in the Twilight Zone. Using this method I can enjoy modeling in On30 and HO scale on one layout. I’m in this hobby to have fun and I am willing to accept this compromise to enjoy it.
precisely what I’m doing. - benchwork and laying track is planned over the winter
perhaps you’ve read my earlier posts in other topics
I may have to reconsider (reverse) the loops though - I had planned a 10 x 14 around the room layout with the On30 on outer loop, and HO on either loop - the distance perspective thing with HO outside may make more sense when I get down to the buildings…
I think it’ll work rather nicely
HO and On30 -has my vote… let’s keep in touch
though both will operate on HO track, keep in mind that Bridge Decks and Tunnel entrances need to be a bit wider, and the corners / curves need to be un-obstructed for the larger On30- nothing too close to the track, even on the straighaways. if there is more than one track or loop, the track separation throughout the layout, and particularly at the enginehouse / service yards, needs to be a bit further apart.
unlike your design plans Rob, I am only switching the trains (not the buildings /trees), but who knows, I may run HO and On30 simultaniously.