The letters + numbers after Ho mean what(HOn30...)

[Anonymous]

Can someone explain to me how the scale works after say the HO. what is a normal ho e-z-track in ho?

If I get say a HOn30 something does that mean it's to HO scale but needs N scale track?

is the n30 and n 2 1/2 the same thing and is that e-z-track in N?

[raysaron]

HO = 1/87 scale,
n = narrow gauge (less than 4 feet 8-1/2 inch gauge) and
30 = 30 inch gauge.

[Anonymous]

So... will a HOn30 scale train or car run on a HO e-z-track?

[IRONROOSTER]

The n means narrow gauge (w means wide gauge, m means meter gauge which is a narrow gauge used in Europe) and is used to denote a track gauge narrower than standard guage. The number after the n (or w) is the prototype width being modeled with single digits being feet and double digits being inches. 2 1/2 is feet and 30 is inches, the same width in this case. Thus an HOn3 car is built to a scale of 1/87, but runs on track that is narrower than HO track - it runs on HOn3 track which is scaled down from 3 foot wide track. Thus an HOn30 will not run on HO track, it will probably run on N scale track. A number of the narrow gauges use the track/wheels of a smaller scale because they are available. HOn30 uses N scale track, On30 uses HO track, Sn2 uses HOn3 track, Nn3 uses Z track. But these aren't exact, just approximate. Some purists use the exact gauge scaled down, handlay their track, and regauge the wheels. Then some manufacturer makes a product(s) for this exact version and compatiblity problems creep in. Welcome to the fascinating world of narrow gauge.
Enjoy
Paul

[joseph2]

HOn30 will run on N gauge track.I have a pair of HOn30 locomotives,neither one runs very well because of electrical pick up problems.

[dehusman]

First thing is to separate scale and guage. Scale is the relative size of the s to the real thing. HO scale is 3.5 mm = 1 foot, which is 1/87.1 scale. N scale is 1/160 scale, which was derived from using track with a 9 mm gauge (Nine = N gauge).

The reason HOn30 has a gauge of 30 in (not a very common gauge) is that N gauge amounts to about 30 in in HO scale. That way the same mechanisms and trucks used for N scale locomotives and cars could be used to power s of 2 ft gauge railroads. N-scale track could be used but it doesn't look right because the ties are too short and too close together for HO scale. The same thing is going on now in O scale (1/4 in = 1 foot, 1/48 scale). HO gauge works out to about 3 1/2 ft in O scale. So manufacturers have modified HO gauge mechanisms to power O scale locomotives, thus Bachmann's On3 1/2 line.

Dave H.

[Jetrock]

Really? 3-1/2 ft. gauge is often called "*** gauge", but I suppose it would be inappropriate for a family magazine to publish articles like "Kitbash a boxcar for OnBastard."

[Anonymous]

Well mega thanks from the Rabbidgerbal on ironing that all out. Facinating stuff and super useful now that I understand it...

The plan is to make a super small layout and I kept running into all those odd non standards... but it's cool to know On30 is ho track because now I can just consider those layout ideas at face value for normal HO operations and scale back the structures with room to spare.

[dehusman]

Oops. My mistake. S scale with HO track is Sn3.5, O scale on HO track is On30.

Dave H.

[vw-bug]

Standard Gauge Scales: Z, N, HO, S, O, G (4'-8.5" between rails)
Narrow Gauge Scales: Zn, Nn, HOn, Sn, On, Gn

Now the fun part the number after that speaks of the distance between the rails
so...HOn3 means 36" inches between the rails, HOn30 means 30" between rails