3 ft gauge rail modelling
3' Gauge rail modelling is a specialisation in
United States
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/21/Malpaso_County_NGRR_-_HOn3.jpg/220px-Malpaso_County_NGRR_-_HOn3.jpg)
3 ft (914 mm) gauge railroads were widespread in the United States in the period 1880-90. While most of these railroads were
Probably the most popular prototype is the Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad, followed by other Colorado railroads such as the Rio Grande Southern and Colorado and Southern. Other railroads from California and the eastern states are also popular.
Scale and gauge combinations used in modelling include:
- Nn3 – Using N scale (1:160 ratio) with Z (6.5 mm / 0.256 in) gauge track.
- HOn3 – Using HO scale (1:87 ratio) with 10.5 mm (0.413 in) gauge track. Historically the most popular of the scale/gauge combinations.
- Sn3 – Using S scale (1:64 ratio) with 14.3 mm (0.563 in) gauge track. Limited commercial support.
- On3 – Using O scale (1:48 ratio) with 0.75 in (19.05 mm) gauge track. Probably the second most popular scale.
- F scale – using 1:20.3 ratio with 45 mm (1.772 in) gauge track. This scale uses the same gauge as, and is derived from the popular G scale. It is the largest popular scale/gauge combination, and is suitable for use in the garden.
Perhaps not surprisingly, most narrow gauge modellers in the United States model US 3 ft gauge prototypes. However these prototypes are also popular modelling subjects outside the United States as well.
Ireland, the Isle of Man, and Britain
3 ft (914 mm) gauge was the narrow gauge used in
Scale (per foot) | Scale ratio | Name | Gauge |
---|---|---|---|
2 mm scale | 1:148 | Nn3 | 6.5 mm (0.256 in) Z gauge |
3 mm scale | 1:101 | TTn3 | 9 mm (0.354 in) N gauge |
4 mm scale | 1:76 | OOn3
|
12 mm (0.472 in) TT gauge |
5.5 mm scale | 1:55 | 5.5 mm | 16.5 mm (0.65 in) OO gauge |
7 mm scale | 1:43.5 | O21 | 21 mm (0.827 in) |
15 mm | 1:20.3 | G scale | 45 mm (1.772 in) |
Generally these scale/gauge combinations do not have much commercial support, and therefore modellers are required to construct most of their models from scratch. 00n3 is the exception and there is good support from manufacturers like Branchlines (Isle of Man Railway and some Irish lines), Worsley Works (mostly Irish railway 'scratch aid' brass kits) and Alphagraphix (mostly card Irish rolling stock kits). Some model kits are not available new due to production having ceased but can be found on the preowned market including the Backwoods models of Irish narrow gauge locomotives and rolling stock. Further information on 00n3 suppliers is given on the 00n3 entry.
See also
- Model Railway Scales
- Sn3½ – scale for modelling 3'6" (1067mm) gauge railways.
- List of narrow-gauge model railway scales
- Rail transport modelling scales
- Three foot gauge railways