Modelling 3' gauge railroads
Modelling 3' gauge railroads is part of the
hobby of
rail transport modelling. Specificly it relates to the modelling of
narrow gauge prototypes of 3' (914mm)
gauge. This gauge was the most common narrow gauge in the
United States and in
Ireland. Apart from some other lines in North and Central America, 3' gauge was uncommon elsewhere. Therefore most 3' gauge modellers model either United States or Irish prototypes.
3' 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 (6.5mm) gauge track. This is the smallest commercial scale.:* HOn3 - Using
HO scale (1:87 ratio} with 10.5mm gauge track. Historically the most popular of the scale/gauge combinations.:* Sn3 - Using
S scale (1:64 ratio) with 14.3mm gauge track. Limited commercial support.:* On3 - Using
O scale (1:48 ratio) with 19.05mm gauge track. Probably the second most popular scale.:* F scale - using 1:20.3 ratio with 45mm 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.
3' gauge models can be modelled on other gauge track. The growth of
On30, where 3' prototypes are often modelled on 16.5mm gauge track, has made this increasingly popular. While purists dislike this trend, the influx of new modellers has provided cheaper models and increased choice to the On3 modeller.
Perhaps not surprisingly, most narrow gauge modellers in the United States model US 3' gauge prototypes. However these prototypes are also popular modelling subjects outside the United States as well.
3' 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 3' 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:
* 3mm to the foot scale (1:101 ratio), modelling on 9mm or
N gauge track.:* 4mm to the foot scale (1:76 ratio, or
OO scale), modelling on 12mm gauge track (OO3).:* 5.5mm to the foot scale (1:56 ratio), modelling on 16.5mm or
HO/OO gauge track.:* 7mm to the foot scale (1:43.5 ratio, or
O scale), modelling on 21mm gauge track.:* 15mm to the foot scale (1:20.3 ratio), modelling on 45mm gauge (
G scale) track.
None of these scale/gauge combinations has much commercial support, and therefore modellers are required to construct most of their models from scrach.
*
Lex Parker's On3 model of the D&RGW*
Another On3 layout - the Paisley Mill & Timber Co.*
Slim Gauge Guild HOn3 and Sn3 layouts*
Nn3 Home Page*
Chester Model Railway Club Irish prototype layouts in OO3.*
15mm to the foot scale garden railway based on an Irish 3' gauge railway
