What is the differnce? I like the HOn2 1/2 track because it has spaced ties, but will HOn3 locos run on this,? Are there HOn2 1/2 engines?
You need to understand what the “n” means. The “n” stands for narrow gauge. Narrow gauge is any gauge less than the standard 4 feet 8 1/2 inches of standard gauge. n 2 1/2 is rail spaced 2 and 1/2 feet or 30 inches between the rail heads. n 3 is rail spaced 3 feet apart. n 21/2 and n30 are the same, because 30 inches equals 2 1/2 feet. For some reason the modeling sizes are referred to as n30. HOn30/HOn2/12 is actually run on N scale standard gauge, I believe. So, no HOn3 will not run on HOn2 1/2 or n30 track. As far as equipment availability, I think it is fairly limited for n2/12 or n30.
The tie spacing on N gauge track is too close and the ties are not long enough for the narrow gauge realism. Remember, the equipment, structures and people are still HO scale in these narrow gauges.
HOn2-1/2 = HOn30, 30" between the rails. HOn3 = 3 feet/36" between the rails. They are not the same gauge, one will not run on the other. HOn30 I think was devised to be able to run HO scale narrow gauge equipment on N scale track, because that’s what it scales out to in HO scale.
I’m not sure if there are currently non brass HOn30 engines avaiable, AHM used to offer them and I believe its called HOe in Europe and there is equipment available there. Many modelers use N scale mechanism and add larger bodies. There are small firms making bodies for N scale equipment. This makes this particular scale/gauge combination a lot cheaper than HOn3, which has been mostly powered by expensive brass engines.
Others can fill in the current status if they know. I’m personally into HO standard gauge and On30 - O scale running on HO sized track. Confused? Join the club! [:D]
Bob Boudreau
That is what I figured ! [D)] I think I will stick with HO & HOn3 [^]
HOn30 is largely the realm of folks who chop up N-scale locomotives and slap on HO scale narrow-gauge bodies…the N-scale Bachmann 0-4-0 “Dockside” is a common conversion item, as it makes the basis for a pretty neat li’l Porter tank locomotive. There are shells you can drop on to the Dockside body.
There were also 30" gauge railroads in the United States, so there are other justifications for HOn30.
There was also n2, 2 foot gauge. 2 feet betwixed the rail heads and other even small er gauges.
Indeed–18-inch and 15-inch gauges were used in mines and industrial applications–and if Carl Arendt’s site is to be believed, a small electric railroad was used inside a hospital to carry heavy supplies! 3.5 feet, or 42", was called “*** gauge”, although “*** gauge” was sometimes used to describe other oddball gauges, like the Arcata & Mad River Railroad, which used a gauge decided on because it was exactly half the length of steel rod they used for an axle on the first horse-drawn car…
I’ve got a HOe set made by Lilliput(actually Bachmann). It is a model of the Swiss Zillertal train. You can check out other HOe stuff at www.reynaulds.com
I use track made by Tillig - the best looking track I’ve seen. It’s anodized a rusty brown color. Why other manufacturers don’t color their track is beyond me.
This site http://home.powertech.no/jr/jdf/ho30.htm has information about HOn30 which runs on N…
This site http://narrowtracks.com/Sn2/ has information on Sn2 which runs on HOn3
Both of these are done to help keep the cost down and make use of trucks, tracks and loco mechanisms that would otherwise not be available. HOn30 uses N scale and Sn2 uses HOn3. There is now some commercial support for both these scales/gauges - http://www.trainandtrooper.com/ - but it’s not overwhelming.
Enjoy
Paul
Many modellers use HOn30 (HOe in Europe) to model prototype railroads with gauges between 2ft (60cm) to 2ft6in (75cm). The Briti***end to use the similar 009 (4mm/ft scale on N gauge track).
In Europe metre gauge is also very common, particularly in Switzerland but also parts of Afica and Aisa. 3ft6in guage “Cape Gauge” is used extensively in South Africa (it’s South African standard gauge), Australia and New Zealand.
There’s actually quite a bit of HOn30/HOe available if you look around, particularly of European outline stuff; Lilliput (part of the Bachman family), Roco, Bemo, Hag, Tillig etc.
In the US I believe lots of modlers use HOn30 to model the Maine 2ft railroads check out Train & Trooper in Philips ME www.trainandtrooper.com who sell craftsman kits and brass models for this.