On30 questions

[Anonymous]

I have read and heard about On30 being good scale to use with Dept. 56 type layouts. I haven't started yet, but I have quite a few questions for anyone with the time to answer them. What is the difference between On30 and On3? What is the difference between On30 and 2-rail O? I understand that On30 trains are O size and run on HO track, but, well, that is about all that I understand right now. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[BR60103]

The scale is O, 1/4"=1'.
The assumption is that O gauge is stangard gauge,(56 1/2 inches prototype) which is 1 1/4 inches in model form (This actually works out to 5 feet.)
the "n" in the gauge means that it is narrower than standard. On3 is 3 foot (prototype) gauge or 3/4" in model form. This is for Western US narrow gauge and others. On2 is 2 foot pototype, 1/2" in model form, used in Maine and Wales.
On30 is also called On2 1/2, the 30 being 30", and the model track gauge being 5/8" (well, HO is pretty close). There was very little 30" narrow gauge, but the ability to use HO wheels and track enticed modellers and manufacturers. Generally, they are trying for the look of 2-foot narrow gauge.
Anything O scale other than trains will work perfectly well with HOn30, as the scale matches. (well, skyscrapers will appear out of place, but...). I'll let others comment on Department 56, but if you want a rural look, On30 will be fine.
--David

[Anonymous]

Ok, so it is regular HO track right? In other words, if I built the layout to be designed for an HOn30 train, a regular HO train would operate as well, right?
An On3 train would be pretty large then, is what I am gathering, right?
What about 2-rail O? Is that something totally different? Thanks again for the reply.

[BR60103]

2 rail O would be regular size O, scale trains as opposed to Lionel type. It would be bigger than the On30.
On30 uses regular HO track -- that's what is supplied with the sets. Peco make a 16.5 mm gauge track with larger ties, spaced more widely, that looks more like narrow gauge track.
You can mix HO and On30 up to the point that the On30 bumps against your tunnel openings. It's a bit bigger than HO.
--David

[Anonymous]

It sounds like On30 is what I am looking for. I want the bigger trains to keep the scale right, but the HO track which I think looks more realistic. I should be able to then mix in O scale scenery with the Dept 56 stuff. Might not be perfect, but it will work. I don't plan on going around with a ruler to make sure that it is all in perfect scale. Thanks for your help.