Modelling 3' gauge railroads

Modelling 3' gauge railroads is part of the hobby of rail transport modelling. Specifically it relates to the modelling of narrow gauge prototypes of gauge. This gauge was the most common narrow gauge in the United States and in Ireland. Apart from some other lines in North, Central and South America, gauge was uncommon elsewhere. Therefore most gauge modellers model either United States or Irish prototypes.

United States

gauge railroads were widespread in the United States in the period 1880-90. While most of these railroads were converted to standard gauge by the start of the 20th Century, a number of lines survived till the Second World War and later, and became popular subjects for modelling.

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 () gauge track. This is the smallest commercial scale. :* HOn3 - Using HO scale (1:87 ratio) with gauge track. Historically the most popular of the scale/gauge combinations. :* Sn3 - Using S scale (1:64 ratio) with gauge track. Limited commercial support. :* On3 - Using O scale (1:48 ratio) with gauge track. Probably the second most popular scale. :* F scale - using 1:20.3 ratio with 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 gauge prototypes. However these prototypes are also popular modelling subjects outside the United States as well.

Ireland, the Isle of Man, and Britain

gauge was the narrow gauge used in Ireland, and the gauge of the railway on the Isle of Man. It was also used on a handful of railways in Britain. However modelling these gauge railways is very much a minority pursuit, especially when compared with other prototypes such as the Welsh narrow gauge. Scales and gauges used include:

{| class="wikitable" |- ! Scale (per foot) ! Scale ratio ! Name ! Gauge |- | 2mm scale | 1:148 | Nn3 | Z scale |- | 3mm scale | 1:101 | TTn3 | N scale |- | 4mm scale | 1:76 | OOn3 | TT scale |- | 5.5mm | 1:56 | 5.5mm | OO gauge |- | 7mm scale | 1:43.5 | O21 | |- | 15mm | 1:20.3 | G scale | |}

None of these scale/gauge combinations has much commercial support, and therefore modellers are required to construct most of their models from scratch.

See also

External links