I been modeling HO for a little while and I have a question about HOn3 & On30
I’ve I guess I am confused about these two and the different of each, what is the scale of HOn3 and the scale of On30? If there is a different, do they use the same track? I may have made a mistake by buying before really looking into the two.
Homer
They are two different scales and use two different tracks.
Scale is how big the model is relative to the real thing. The real thing is 48 times the size of O scale and the real thing is 87.1 times as big as HO scale.
Guage is the distance between in the insides of the rails. Standard guage is 56 1/2 inches. Narrow guage is less than that.
HOn3 is HO scale, 3 foot gauge.
On30 is O scale, 30 inch gauge. On30 runs on HO track (HO scale, standard guage) or On30 track.
If you want track for On30, use regualr HO track, NOT HOn3 track. HO track will have too short, too narrow and too close together ties, but it works.
Hi, I model in On30. HOn30 is HO scale on 30 inch or 2 1/2 foot gauge track. HOn3 is HO scale on 3 foot gague track. On30 is O scale on 30 inch or 2 1/2 foot gauge track. On3 is O scale on 3 foot gauge track. HOn30 uses N scale track and the engines are generally more expensive than On30. On30 uses HO scale track. Most narrow gauge railroads in the U.S. were 3 foot gauge, But most modelers model the 30 instead of the 3 because of the way the track works out makes it easy to get. Also there is Nn3 (or is it Nn30-not really sure) that uses N scale on Z scale track. What did you buy? Jim
Homer, the scale of HOn3 is the same as regular HO, or 1:87 simply representing a 3-foot narrow gauge line. On30 is the same as O-scale, or 1:48 but is intended to represent 2 1/2-foot narrow gauge in O.
HOn3 runs on its own special-sized trackage, representing 36-inches between the railheads and thus a narrower spacing than regular HO track.
On the other hand, On30 can run on standard HO track…but the size and spacing of the ties are way out of scale and for anyone seriously persuing On30, it won’t be acceptible.
An additional point worth mentioning - but usually avoided by On30 enthusiasts - is that athough 30-inch gauge was very common in Europe (and south of the border), it was a rarity in the United States outside of some small backwoods logging railways. It was 36-inch and 24-inch gauge instead that was commonly employed here in conjunction with narrow gauge railroading.
CNJ831
The first letter or letters denote the scale. The most popular are:
Z 1:220
N 1:160
TT 1:120
HO 1:87.1
S 1:64
O 1:48
#1 1:32
G is a family of scales including 1:20.3, 1:22.5, 1:24, 1:29 all of which run on #1 track.
Other than G, it is assumed that the model is for standard gauge for the scale. That is, it is scaled down from 4’ 8 1/2". Since models are made for other gauges within a scale a small “n” following the scale designates narrow gauge. A number follows the “n” for the prototype gauge. I.E. HOn3 means HO scale narrow gauge, 3 feet. If two numbers are used the gauge is in inches, i.e. HOn30 is HO scale narrow gauge 30 inches. On30 is O scale narrow gauge 30 inches.
When buying engines, rolling stock, etc. you need the same scale and gauge if they are to run together. For buildings just the scale has to match. An HO station works with either HO or HOn3. An HOn3 engine only works with HOn3 cars and track. An HO engine works with HO cars and tracks.
Since the scale is the same, a layout may have both HO and HOn3 (or O and On30, or S and Sn2, etc.). But each needs its own engines, cars, and tracks. Optionally, dual gauge track uses 3 (or rarely 4) rails to provide two gauges on one road bed.
Enjoy
Paul
Jim, I bought
Shinohara HOn3 HO Dual 3 Foot Flex Track
and a couple On30 log engines and cars Will they work together, I am trying to build a small 4’x6’ Michigan Logging layout.
Well, Homer, if you’ve already purchased the On30 engine(s)…then you’ve paid considerably more than necessary for your track. The locomotive will indeed run on it, using just the outer two rails (which are standard HO in spacing), but the inner rail will serve no purpose. You could have just as easily bought some far cheaper 3-foot sections of standard HO Atlas (or other) flex track to fit the bill.
I get the impression that you are in a very great rush to get started and I would strongly suggest that you slow down and take some time to read and understand what goes with what and how things work in the hobby, scale and otherwise, else you are going to be in big trouble fast.
CNJ831
Homer;
As Jim mentioned it is more expensive than was needed for the On30 to run on it. But the inner track could also be used for an even narrower O scale guage. I believe it would be approximately On18. This could be used do simulate in plant parts delivery trains, or ore car trains for mine shafts. It would require kitbashing of N scale locomotive and equipment but is not unknown. If you haven’t purchased matching turnouts I would sell or return it for what would fit your needs better.
Brian
I model in HO scale in both standard and narrow 30 inch gauge. I use N scale gauge track for my narrow gauge line. This allows me to use N scale mechanisms and motors and build HO scale locomotives around them. Peter Smith, Memphis 
Do a Google search for HOn3 and ON30. All your questions will be answered in the links. Then you can make comparisons/notes. You will find many examples and other forums dedicated to these scales.
Open a browser for HOn3 and a second browser for ON30. Swap back and forth between browsers.
Store links you like in Favorites.
I do that a lot as I can find what I want, not necessarily what someone wants me to have. Yes, this requires effort on your part and you become much more knowledgeable.
Rich