stimac@tymix.UUCP (Michael Stimac) (02/09/84)
Yes, the numbers in the gauge designations refer to the number of feet in the prototype gauge, thus, e.g.: On3 means O scale, narrow gauge, 3 foot width, and HOn2 means HO scale, narrow gauge, 2 foot width. Related comments: There is such a thing as 2 1/2 foot gauge, this is written as On2 1/2, for example. There exist a variety of odd inch gauges, and these would be written as HOn42", for example. There is also the possibilty of a wide gauge, which I have seen written as HOw6, meaning HO scale, wide gauge, 6 foot width. The original Erie Railroad was to this width, and many railroads in the US southeastern states also were wide gauge before the Civil War (I don't know the precise year of change, but the conversion to standard gauge is supposed to have taken place in a single day). In Europe, narrwo gauge lines often use a width a one meter, and this is written as HOe. Notice that the abbreviations O, HO, N and so forth refer to scales, not gauges. When written by themselves it is implicit that standard gauge (4' 8 1/2") is referred to. Unfortunately, the letters can be used to reefer to several close, but different scales. For instance, O scale work may be done in 1/4" = 1 foot, 17/64" = 1 foot, and in 7mm = 1 foot. Notice that the common HO scale is exactly half of the 7mm figure, thus the name H(alf) O. There is a lot more to the scale/gauge story. Anyone interested? Michael Stimac Tymshare, Inc. Cupertino, CA ...hplabs!oliveb!tymix!stimac