Next, scales and gauges

On30 appears to be like OO9; a generic combination originally using proprietary track and mechanisms from another scale, representing a range of gauges between 2' (60cm) and 3' (1m)

Acceptability of this, is in the eye if the modeller. I started on the path of US outline 3' gauge in On30 because (1) I didn't know any better and (2) I joined two clubs usung that combination. Two or three years on I'd offer the following conclusions

1) the Bachmann 2-8-0 is a quite exceptional model which is excellent value for money, runs very well, has some very nice detail and will negotiate quite sharp curves without derailing or looking ridiculous. DCC socket in the tender.

2) the Bachmann 2-6-0 is a cheap and very robust model, which will negotiate any half-way sensible radius but has no DCC socket and doesn't have the same level of detail.

If you are intending to join in Club activities these are your best starting points

3) the MMI models look quite wonderful but need big curves and lots of room. Allow a budget for fettling and possibly rewiring and/or DCC/sound conversion.

4) the previously mentioned BLI 2-8-0 is a robust model BUT its rather "fine-scale" wheels mean that it is sensitive to deficiencies in track laying, and the flanged 1 and 4 drivers mean the flanged wheelbase is quite long. There is a conversion involving swapping the wheelsets so the 1 and 3 drivers are flanged. No opinion from me in this! I will just say that from experiment, it will negotiate the 15" points at the club fixed test track, with care

Next, rolling stock

I'll summarise this by saying that the Bachmann EBT style hopper cars look ok representing 3' gauge stock, as do the 2-8-0 and 2-6-0 locos but otherwise the Bachmann range seems best regarded as 30"-60cm gauge outline

AMS flatcars and tank cars are 3' size, negotiate Bachmann radius curves and are value for money. No gondola or frameless tank car, though. The colours are a bit vivid so I foresee learning to weather and detail somewhere in my modelling future!

San Juan Car Co models are quite magnificent, bring money! They CAN be made to negotiate Bachmann radii but look ridiculous doing so.

There is a bewildering variety of couplers. Essentially, dedicated 3' gauge outline has larger couplers at a higher level. The solution appears to be to use "match cars" or to standardise on one or the other - the Bachmann EBT hoppers are easily converted in either direction, as are the AMS units.

Some MMI locos have low, Bachmann style couplers but this can be remedied if it is a problem.

Next, scales and gauges

 

On30 appears to be like OO9; a generic combination originally using proprietary track and mechanisms from another scale, representing a range of gauges between 2' (60cm) and 3' (1m)

 

 

 

3 feet is nominally 900mm/0.9m

Next, rolling stock

 

 

I'll summarise this by saying that the Bachmann EBT style hopper cars look ok representing 3' gauge stock, as do the 2-8-0 and 2-6-0 locos but otherwise the Bachmann range seems best regarded as 30"-60cm gauge outline

 

 

AMS flatcars and tank cars are 3' size, negotiate Bachmann radius curves and are value for money. No gondola or frameless tank car, though. The colours are a bit vivid so I foresee learning to weather and detail somewhere in my modelling future!

 

 

San Juan Car Co models are quite magnificent, bring money! They CAN be made to negotiate Bachmann radii but look ridiculous doing so.

 

 

There is a bewildering variety of couplers. Essentially, dedicated 3' gauge outline has larger couplers at a higher level. The solution appears to be to use "match cars" or to standardise on one or the other - the Bachmann EBT hoppers are easily converted in either direction, as are the AMS units.

 

 

Some MMI locos have low, Bachmann style couplers but this can be remedied if it is a problem.

surely the gauge of the track has no bearing on the track gauge. A 4mm scale loco is 4mm scale whether it runs on 7ft or 2ft gauge track.

No, not so. There is a whole issue about the relationship between On3 and On30. However just as OO9 is used to represent gauges between 2' and 2'6", On30 is often used to represent 3' gauge prototypes for the same reason - availability of track and mechanisms.

The 3' gauge 2-8-2 types are very large locos, 85 tons - the size of a 9F. Even the smallest types are 62 tons, comparable with a BR 3MT. Even the Bachmann 2-6-0 represents a 32-ton prototype. The tank cars are mainly older SG types mounted on NG bogies. The EBT hopper cars represent prototypes ranging from 30 to 35 ton capacity. The typical gondolas are 30' long.

The small Bachman 4-4-0 seems to be based on a loco weighing somewhere between 6 and 10 tons.

Basically, a Colorado or EBT style railroad represents a railroad about the size of a British SG line, the smaller Bachmann prototypes, a line about the size of the Festiniog