On30 gauge

A Shay locomotive in On30 gauge, based on the Bachmann Industries model.

On30 (also called On2​¹⁄₂, O16.5 and Oe) gauge is the modelling of narrow gauge railways in O scale on HO (16.5 mm/​0.65 in) gauge track in 1:48 scale ratio by American model railroaders, in 1:43.5 scale ratio by British and French model railroaders and 1:45 by Continental European model railroaders (excluding France).

Definitions

On30

On30
A Rail Truck based on the Bachmann Industries model.
Scale	​1⁄4 in to 1 ft (6.35 mm to 1 ft)
Scale ratio	1:48
Model gauge	16.5 mm (0.65 in)
Prototype gauge	2 ft 6 in (762 mm)

On30 uses the American O scale of 1/4" to the foot, (ratio 1:48) to operate trains on HO gauge (16.5 mm/​0.65 in) track. The 30 indicates the scale/gauge combination is used to model 2 ft 6 in (762 mm) narrow gauge prototypes, although it is often used to model 2 ft (610 mm) and 3 ft (914 mm) gauge prototypes as well. This scale/gauge combination is sometimes referred to as On2​¹⁄₂.

O16.5

O16.5
Peco trains at Expométric in Paris (France)
Scale	7 mm to 1 ft
Scale ratio	1:43.5
Model gauge	16.5 mm (0.65 in)
Prototype gauge	2 ft 6 in (762 mm)

O16.5 in the United Kingdom is a model railway scale/gauge combination of 7 mm to the foot. This is the same scale as British O scale (1:43.5 ratio) running on 16.5 mm (0.65 in) gauge track, which is used by HO/OO gauge model railways. It thus represents the prototype gauge of just over 2 ft 6 in (762 mm), although also widely used to model 2 ft (610 mm), 2 ft 3 in (686 mm) and 2 ft 4 in (711 mm) gauge UK prototypes.

0e

0e
Saint-Paul railway depot at Suisse Toy in Berne (Switzerland)
Scale ratio	1:45 and 1:43.5
Model gauge	16.5 mm (0.65 in)
Prototype gauge	750 mm (2 ft 5 1⁄2 in), 760 mm (2 ft 5 15⁄16 in), 800 mm (2 ft 7 1⁄2 in)

0e (sometimes Oe) is the Continental European notation for 0 scale using 16.5 mm (0.65 in) track. In France and a few other countries 0 scale uses a ratio of 1:43.5. In Germany and many other European countries 0 scale uses a ratio of 1:45. The prototypes represented are the European 750 mm (2 ft 5 ¹⁄₂ in), 760 mm (2 ft 5 ¹⁵⁄₁₆ in) and 800 mm (2 ft 7 ¹⁄₂ in).

Development

British O16.5 gauge model based on a Bagnall 0-4-2T design.

Swiss Oe gauge rack railway. Modell of Wengernalp railway (WAB)

United States

In the United States modelling in On30 dates back to the 1950s, using HO gauge wheels and locomotive chassis. The scale was popularised to some extent in the 1960s and 1970s by the writings of modellers such as Gordon North. An On30 layout, the Venago Valley (built by Bill Livingston) was featured in the June 1971 issue of Railroad Model Craftsman magazine. However, as there are very few prototype 2 ft 6 in (762 mm) gauge railways in the United States, it remained very much a minority modelling area, especially when compared with modelling in On2 and On3.

In 1998 Bachmann Industries introduced a model of a 2-6-0 steam locomotive in this scale for the Christmas village market. This model, being very inexpensive, was quickly adopted by modellers. Other manufacturers followed Bachmann into this market, and Bachmann also introduced a number of other models. On30 is now regarded as the fastest growing segment of the model railroading market in the United States.

Many US modellers can be broadly cast into one of two groups. The first are freelance modelers, not modelling any specific prototype. These modelers are adept at taking HO scale models and modifying them with new cabs and other features into models without prototypes. A common saying in this group of modelers is that they model with "no standards", a reaction to the highly accurate modelling known as "rivet counting" found in some other sections of the hobby.

The second group model prototype American narrow gauge railroads ranging from mining and logging companies through to large shortline railways such as the 2 ft (610 mm) Sandy River and Rangeley Lakes and the 3 ft (914 mm) Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad. Modelers following these prototypes often choose On30 over the more accurate On2 and On3 gauges citing the lower cost of models and the ready availability of ready-to-run models by Bachmann, Accucraft Trains and Broadway Limited. Detail parts and kits for specific models can be adapted easily from models manufactured for On3 modellers and others.

Britain

In Britain O16.5 modelling also began in the 1950s, using modified proprietary OO scale models. A number of small companies now supply kits for locomotives made of materials such as brass and white metal, as well as rolling stock kits. British modellers have also had the advantage of Peco flexible track and turnouts, which have become popular throughout the On30 modelling world. The 7mm Narrow Gauge Association supports the hobby, and publishes a magazine, "Narrow Lines". Most modellers attempt to accurately model one of the many 2 ft (610 mm), 2 ft 3 in (686 mm) and 2 ft 6 in (762 mm) gauge railways that were found throughout Britain, although European, American and even railways from Britain's colonial empire have become popular. For accurate modelling of two-foot gauge railways, such as the Ffestiniog or Lynton and Barnstaple O14 has been employed, although there is some limited commercial support for this scale/gauge, it is mostly of industrial prototypes.

Continental Europe

A similar pattern of small manufacturers producing kits is followed in Continental Europe. However the German firm Fleischmann produced ready-to-run models until a few years ago of small German and Austrian locomotives and associated rolling stock in Oe scale. The most popular prototypes are the German 750 mm (2 ft 5 ¹⁄₂ in) gauge, Austrian 760 mm (2 ft 5 ¹⁵⁄₁₆ in) gauge, and 800 mm (2 ft 7 ¹⁄₂ in) gauge rack railways in Switzerland. The line was called "Magic train". Märklin also produced a small range of 3 rail 0e models between 1970 and 1972 under the Minex range name. Both ranges were aimed at children but had appeal to serious modelers too.

Australia

Surveys at modelling conventions in Australia have found that the majority of all narrow gauge modellers in that country model in On30, 1:48 scale. An early pioneer was Rick Richardson, with his Vulcan Vale model railway. Recent examples include 'Steam in the Bush' who are based in the Blue Mountains and produce a range of On30 'craftsman' style kits. Many modelers choose to model the 2ft6in gauge railways in Victoria, such as Puffing Billy, and a number of kits and ready to run models have been produced for that prototype. A ready to run die-cast and plastic model of the NA Puffing Billy locomotive was released by Haskell in 2014. The scale is also popular for modelers of timber logging tramways and the Queensland sugar cane tramways, as well as freelance modelers. Ixion produced a "Coffee Pot" (a 3-foot 6 gauge prototype) for this market. A small number of models have also been produced in 7 mm:1 ft scale, mostly of New South Wales prototypes.

Japan

On30 is also modeled in Japan, where it is used to represent the 2 ft 6 in (762 mm) narrow gauge railways, such as the Kiso Forest Railway, that were once quite common in that country. Several brass locomotive kits have been produced.

Summary

The following table lists the most popular narrow gauges in O scale:

Name	Scale	Model gauge	Prototype gauge	Used for
Op	1:45 or 1:43,5	9 mm (0.354 in)	300 to <400 mm	Continental European
Of (Oi)	1:45 or 1:43,5	12 mm (0.472 in)	400 to <650 mm	Continental European
On2	1:48	12 mm (0.472 in)	2 ft (610 mm)	American
O14	1:45 or 1:43,5	14 mm (0.551 in)	600 mm (1 ft 11 5⁄8 in)	Continental European and British Empire
O14	1:43,5	14 mm (0.551 in)	610 mm (2 ft)	2 ft gauge railways in South Africa
On30 (On2½)	1:48	16.5 mm (0.65 in)	2 ft 6 in (762 mm)	American
Oe	1:45 or 1:43,5	16.5 mm (0.65 in)	650 to <850 mm	Continental European
O16.5	1:43,5	16.5 mm (0.65 in)	2 ft 6 in (762 mm)	British Empire
On3	1:48	19.05mm	3 ft (914 mm)	American
Om	1:45 or 1:43,5	22.5 mm (0.886 in) and for finescale standard 22.2 mm (0.874 in)	850 to <1250 mm	Continental European
On3​1⁄2	1:43.5	22.5 mm (0.886 in)	3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm)	British Empire

Remarks

Model railroaders with layouts and rolling stocks by American standard and usually by British standard, use for designation of the scale in English language publications the letter O and not the number 0.

In the British Empire and rarely in the language French, for narrow gauge it is written after designation of the scale the model gauge in mm. As examples OO9 or OO6.5 in United Kingdom and H09 at the place of H0e or H06,5 at the place of H0f in France.

In the British Empire as in the language French is written rarely with - (minus sign) or – (dash) between the scale and the model gauge. As examples OO–9 or H0-9.

Appeal

On30 model railway gauge is regarded as the fastest growing in the O scale (dated 2013). Because narrow-gauge railways models can also round tight radius curves, it is allowing layouts be built in confined spaces at home.

Proponents of the scale suggest the appeal lies in the models representing quaint narrow gauge prototypes. The scale gives the models a certain bulk, and allows details to be easily seen compared with H0 scale. At the same time electrically and mechanically it is the same as the very popular H0 scale, ensuring reliability of operation. Lastly, models are cheaper to purchase than those produced for On2, On3 or larger scales such as G gauges.

Sporadic critics from clamour model railroader, particularly in the United States, point to the inaccurate track gauge, especially when modelling 2 ft (610 mm) or 3 ft (914 mm) gauge prototypes. They also dislike the tendency to modify HO models, claiming this produces freelance models that would not have been built in reality.

See also

• Rail transport modelling scales
• Model railway scales

Sources

• Model Railroader magazine
• Narrow Gauge and Shortline Gazette magazine
• "Narrow Lines" magazine
• "Proceedings of the Australian Narrow Gauge Convention 2005"

External links

• The On30 Information and Resource Center
• 30-Inch Railroads
• Big Indoor Trains