[rsv1ho]

I just "won" ($11.47) this beautiful example that the seller described as HO Sn3. But all I can find on the net is HO N3. Is there a difference and can it be ran on HO track?

He found it among a lot of old engines that he has had for a long time. Thinks it's Rivarossi.

Actually engines like this that needs some attention thrill me much more than a new in the box anything.

Thanks - Bob

Edit add - I did find that Sn3 gauge is 1:64 but I'm still not sure if it would run on HO track. Might be a mute point anyway as the seller indicated that it doesn't run. Doesn't mean that it won't though.

 

[GNfan]

Sn3 is supposed to mean narrow gauge S scale (1:64) with 3 feet between the rails, which for some people is "close enough" to commercially-made HO track. HOn3 is is supposed to mean narrow gauge HO scale (1:87) with 3 feet between the rails, which for some people is "close enough" to N scale track. There's even Nn3 using Z scale track.

Update:I expect that someone will point out that N scale track is more like 31 inches between the rails in HO scale; and that there is commercially available code 70 HOn3 turnouts and flextrack. True, very true.

 

[Diesel Fuel]

Sn3 is supposed to mean narrow gauge S scale (1:64) with 3 feet between the rails, which for some people is "close enough" to commercially-made HO track. HOn3 is is supposed to mean narrow gauge HO scale (1:87) with 3 feet between the rails, which for some people is "close enough" to N scale track. There's even Nn3 using Z scale track.

Good info!

 

[Atlanta]

Popular narrow gauges in 1:87 H0 Scale are:
H0 Standard Gauge = 16.5 mm
H0m = 12 mm -> Meter Gauge onto prototype
H0n3 = 10.5 mm ->1 yard or 3 ft or 36 Inches Gauge of prototype
H0n30 or H0e = 9 mm -> 2.5 ft or 30 Inches or 3/4 Meter Gauge of the prototypes
H0f = 6.5 mm -> 2 ft or little narrower Gauges of prototypes

By 1:76 or 00 Scale the 2 ft gauges using the 00-9 narrow gauge of 9 mm, because of better running motors as model.

The S Gauge track is being used in H0 Scale as the 5 ft prototype gauge before 1878 when the standard gauge became popular inside USA.
It is being used in 00 Scale as real fine prototype gauge.

 

[Shdwdrgn]

A small correction to the above... HOn30 is the one that fits on N-scale track. HOn3 is a little wider and requires a different gauge. Luckily these days you can find flex track in just about any gauge you need.

 

[ebtnut]

That model looks to be a bashed-up Athearn "Little Monster", an 0-4-2T they brought out in the early '60's. Not a great runner to begin with, mostly because most of weight was supported by that trailing truck so it had very little pulling power. It used the same motor as those in the Hi-F drive diesels. In that same period Athearn also made a USRA 0-6-0 switcher and a B&M Pacific. The Pacific is a very rare item - I've only ever seen 3 of them. There were more of the switchers, but today they almost never turn up at train shows.

As for the narrow gauge discussion, Atlanta's list is good. Note that HO gauge track is almost dead on for modeling 42" gauge models in S scale. There were extensive lines in this gauge in South Africa and Australia, and Sn42 is a popular modeling scale in those areas.