OK, dumb question:
HOn3 means trains run on N scale width track
On3 means trains run on HO scale width track
So, what scale width track does Sn3 run on? I don’t know of any scale between N and HO width track unless its one of those British OO or TT scales. Could it be one of them?
Sn3 runs on HO, I’m not sure what On3 runs on.
The 3 means 3-foot gauge (36 inches) The track, usually hand laid, is a scale 36 inches between the rails. There may be some commcial Sn3 track available, but I don’t know of any.
In S scale HO track scales just under 27 inches (26.99")
O scale on HO gage track is called On30 because it scales approximately 30 inches between the rails. 3-foot gauge slightly wider. On30 track is available, it has a different tie size and spacing than HO track.
HO scale on N gauge track is HO30 for the same reason. 3-foot gauge is available commercially.
N scale on Z gauge is Nn3 because it is very close to correct.
Actually HOn3 does not run on N scale track. HOn30 runs on N scale track. HOn3 has a large enough following that several track manufacturers make it. HOn30 (the 30 is inches here, whereas the 3 is feet ) started out using N scale track because it was available and close to size. There is now at least one manufacturer supplying this track (still gauged to N) .
Similarly it is On30 not On3 that runs on HO track.
Sn3 started out years ago using HO track which made it Sn42 (sometimes seen as Sn3 1/2). As it became popular, commercial Sn3 track became available and is now predominate. Sn42 is still alive (using HO track) in Australia, New Zealand, and other places where there were real railroads using 42 inch gauge.
Nn3 runs on Z track and is closer to Nn3 1/2.
For extra fun a few of us are working in Sn2 using HOn3 track because it is close in size.
Welcome to the wonderfully wacky world of narrow gauge.
Enjoy
Paul
correction: Aassuming each scales track correctly represents standard gauge
(4’ 8 1/2")
In S scale HO track would be a gauge of 41.56 inches or Sn42 as stated by Ironrooster 3’ gauge is of course narower
In O scale HO track is actually 31.17 inch gauge, close enough to 30 inches
In HO scale N gauge track is 30.72 inches, close enough to 30 inches
In N scale Z gauge track is 41.09 inches or as Ironrooster said Nn 3 1/2 or it could be called Nn42
Sn3 runs on it’s own special track which is 9/16" betewwn the rails.