I'm looking into building a On30 layout. I'm a little puzzled about HO track. I see listings for different codes of track. For example code 80 or code 100. Can anyone help clear this up?
Thank you
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Track is measured in thousands of an inch. Thus, code 100 is 1/10th of an inch high. Atlas HO track is code 100 or code 83. Most narrow gauge track was/is smaller than standard gauge, due to the fact that the engines & rolling stock weighed lots less.
Check out the track from MicroMark, they also have #5 switches and rail joiners.
http://www.micromark.com/on30-...f-6-pieces,8548.html
It shows you the difference between ho and On30 track. This isn't the only source but a good place to start.
Dan
However, ON30 is 1:48 scale while HO is 1:87 scale (about half the size). so HO code 100 track will represent much light track in ON30 than in HO. code 100 would be 4.8 inches high in O scale and 8.7 inches high in HO scale.
On the other hand, the HO ties will probably be a little small and short and too close together. You would probably want to cut out every other tie or so if using HO track for 30 inch gauge.
PECO makes narrow gauge prototype ON30 flex track and I think also switches.
