What is ON30?


Hi. On30 means it is an O gauge-sized engine that, in real life, would have operated on 30" narrow gauge. Coincidentally, that gauge works out very close to the same spacing between the rails as our HO scale track. So, you can enjoy large engines that would have trundled along narrow gauge tracks, and keep your HO tracks. The conversion can as little as enlarging bridges and tunnel portals, and other clearances to structures and terrain close to the tracks.
 
Selector said:
Hi. On30 means it is an O gauge-sized engine that, in real life, would have operated on 30" narrow gauge. Coincidentally, that gauge works out very close to the same spacing between the rails as our HO scale track. So, you can enjoy large engines that would have trundled along narrow gauge tracks, and keep your HO tracks. The conversion can as little as enlarging bridges and tunnel portals, and other clearances to structures and terrain close to the tracks.
Click to expand...

However...the spacing and physical size of the HO ties is drastically out of scale and looks quite strange if used in conjunction with ON30 locomotives. One is much better off using trackage designed specifically for ON30 use.

NYW&B
 
Yes, that is true; if one wants a full conversion, which would include a prototypical look to the entire layout, the track would also require revision. As I tried to reassure him, however, and I will quote: "The conversion can be as little as...., etc." In that instance plain old HO track will suffice. This may have been an important bit of information to someone who doesn't understand that he might be able to enjoy the scale with temporary track that he can keep from a previous layout, particularly if the cost of a conversion mounts to the point where cutting the cost of the tracks becomes a 'deal breaker'.
 
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