HOn30 Home Depot
Track FAQ

Note: We are working on a more complete FAQ, but for now this is what we have available.
Thanks for the contribution DCK.

-Jørgen

Below is an HOn30 Track FAQ that I compiled last year. Obviously, it never made it into a WWW page. I am no longer in HOn30, so would someone take this FAQ over, and update the information?

The comments about the track were made by members of the HOn30 Mail Car. Most of them are not mine.

dck@iti-oh.com

The following list of HOn30/HOe track maufactures was provided by the HOn30 Mail Car members. The information provided may not be correct. If you have additional information, comments, etc please post them to the HOn30 Mail Car. 


Manufacturer: Roco 
Code: 80
Switches numbers:  #4 (in U.S. sold only in R/L pairs, either with or
without motor) Frogs:  Metal Points:  not sprung Flex Track:  Yes, 1 meter
Special Track:  Also has a line of HOn30 "temporary" track--from picture,
   looks like ties are more irregularly spaced;  sectional track also
   available but hard to get in U.S.  Other Info (ties, quality, experiences,
   wiring...):  Line carried by Walthers.  Ties are HO size but
   proportioned to narrow gauge.  Track is based on European prototype;
   may or may not be close to U.S. practice.  Some list members have said
   that the frog needs to be shimed but I haven't found the need to do so
   (so far!)--see the archives for details. 


Manufacturer:  Pilz does HO/HOe dual gauge and turnouts
Code:
Switch numbers:
Frogs:
Points:
Flex Track:
Special Track: does HO/HOe dual gauge and turnouts


Manufaturer:       Bemo
Code:              80 (2mm)
Switches numbers:  4 (12 degree) & 6 (9.5 degree) 
Frogs:             Metal
Points (sprung):   Not sprung
Flex Track:        ??
Special Track:
Other Info:


Manufaturer: Peco HOe/009 "Crazy track"
Code: 75
Switches numbers: Do not use numbers in the UK, but switches are 12"
   radius, 18" for the wye
Frogs: metal, with tiny plastic between frog rails, Live frog wiring
Points: Sprung, uses over centre spring
Flex Track (yes/no size): Yes in 18" lengths
Special Track : None, but offers normal & wye switches
Other Info:  Quality very good, Ties scaled for 009/HOe spacing at 10mm,
   length 18mm, wood grained finish.  The ties are "randomly" placed at
   angles to the track) not very obvious) and the ends of the ties are not
   square, but finished roughly. The intention is to give the look of well
   worn, and unkempt track.

   Varying expeiences of the switches, some of my stock runs OK,
   some runs through some of the switches but not all! Some will not run
   through any of the switches. 

   The switches are designed to be curved "through the frog". That is the
   turnout rail is curved (12" radius) beyond the frog, whereas in other
   switches it is (should be?) straight. Great care is needed to get good
   running through cross overs.

   Overall Peco 009/HOe trackwork is extensively used and good value for
   money. I personally do not use it anymore, preferring to scratchbuild
   my track, reasons :-

   1)   The code 75 is overscale
   2)   The radius of 12" is too tight for my stock
   3)   The 'crazy" appearence of the track is not suited to my more "mainline"
        model.
   4)   Cannot achieve fault free running on all stock on all pointwork
        (switches).

Manufaturer:       Micro Enginering
Code:              55
Switches numbers:  None
Frogs:
Points (sprung):
Flex Track:        Yes (3 foot lengths) 
Special Track:
Other Info:
Update 10-Jun-02:  Also available in code 70, weathered and plain.


Manufaturer:       BK Enterprises
Code:              55
Switches numbers:  #4, #6, & #8 (Kits)
Frogs:             Metal
Points:            Not Sprung
Flex Track:        
Special Track:
Other Info:
   BK makes N scale switch kits.  The kits can then be installed on
   HOn30/HOe ties for use on an HOn30/HOe layout.

Manufaturer:       Railway Enginering
WWW Address:       http://www.railwayeng.com/
Code:              55
Switches numbers:  #6 & #8, Wye, Curved #8, Stub Wye, Stub #6 (Kits)
Frogs:             Metal
Points:            Not Sprung
Flex Track:        
Special Track:
Other Info:
   Railway Engineering  makes N scale switch kits.  The kits can then be
   installed on HOn30/HOe ties for use on an HOn30/HOe layout.  If
   requested, Railway Engineering will cut the PCB ties to your
   dimensions, so true 2-foot ties can used.  Railway Engineering also
   sells track gauges.

   The "Hints Techniques and Answers" page at Railway Engineerings WWW
   site is suggested reading.  The page acknowledges some of the problems
   with track and wheel standards.



****** N Scale track which could be used ******

Manufaturer:       Atlas
Code:              80
Switches numbers:  6
Frogs:             Plastic
Points (sprung):   Not sprung
Flex Track:        yes
Special Track:     crossings, sectional, ....
Other Info:        The ties are sized and spaced for N-scale.


Manufaturer:       Peco
Code:              80
Switches numbers:  ??
Frogs:             Plasic
Points (sprung):   Sprung
Flex Track:        Yes
Special Track:     ....
Other Info:        The ties are sized and spaced for N-scale.


Manufaturer:       Peco
Code:              55, actually 80 with 2 flanges. 
Switches numbers:  ??
Frogs:             Plasic
Points (sprung):   Sprung
Flex Track:        Yes
Special Track:     ....
Other Info:        The ties are sized and spaced for N-scale.
                   The rail looks like code 55 on top of the ties, but is
                   actually code 75 with 2 flanges.  about 1/3 of the rail
                   is burried in the ties.  This makes the track very
                   durable.  However, converting the track to HO scale
                   ties is probably not practical.  No way to bury the
                   rail below the ties.
Back to the HOn30 page