HOe scale
Encyclopedia
HOe or HOn30 is a popular rail transport modelling
scale/gauge combination widely used by modellers of European, American, and Japanese narrow gauge railways.
The term HOn30 (and sometimes HOn2½) is generally used when modelling American
prototypes while H0e is used for European prototypes. In the Britain the term HO9 is sometimes used. All these terms refer to models of narrow gauge railways built to the world's most popular model railway scale of HO
(1:87) but using a track gauge of —the gauge used for N scale
models of standard gauge railways.
The scale was invented by Egger-bahn
in 1963.
HOe is one of the gauge/scale combinations defined by NEM
. According to that standard, HOe represents narrow gauges between 650–850 mm (25.6–33.5 in) though it's often used to represent gauge railways as well. In strict scale HOe represents a true gauge of so is very close to the gauge of the and gauge railways most widely used in Germany and the former Austro-Hungarian empire as well as to the gauge used in parts of the British Empire.
HOn30 is often used to model the gauge railroads in the US state of Maine
. The first HOn30 / HOn2½ RTR brand introduced in the US was the AHM MinitrainS., initially manufactured by Egger-bahn
and later by Roco
and Mehanoteknika Izola, also known as Mehano
.
Perhaps the most fascinating part of HOn30 is that RTR models are still scarce. One exception is The Minitrains line that has recently been upgraded and reintroduced under the brand BCH MinitrainS.
2-foot railroads in HO scale
.
The AHM Minitrains line came along just a couple of years after N scale
appeared in Europe. Minitrains was North American prototype HO scale
, using N gauge track. AHM offered two industrial locomotives, a Plymouth
diesel and a Baldwin
steamer.
Bob and Dave used the AHM trains to model a HOn2½ 3' x 5' portable model railroad called the Elk River Line. The layout appeared in articles starting in the April 1970 issue of RMC
.
Their next HOn2½ layout was called Thatcher's Inlet. It was a 6’ x 30" shelf-type switching layout. It was inspired by the Wiscasset waterfront of the Maine 2-foot railroads. The equipment was based more on available N gauge products than on the AHM Minitrains line - it reflected the growing variety of N gauge equipment and accessories available in the early 1970s.
Next came Dave Frary's 12' x 26' HOn2½ Carrabasset & Dead River Ry (C&DR). It was the first large model railroad to utilize HOn2½. It appeared in the Nov 1979 and Feb 1980 issues of MR
.
During the mid 1970's a Japanese company, Sango, made a kit for a 2-6-0 Baldwin engine which showed a great improvement in running ability. This started a growing interest in HOn2-1/2 in Japan. From 1978 to 1982, Joe Works, Sango, and Flying Zoo kits and and built-up brass models came on the scene. There was a thriving interest in 2-footers in Japan, using N gauge track. You could put a lot of HO scale operation in a limited space.
In 1974 Bob started his own version of the C&DR. Its first engine was a reworked AHM Minitrains steamer. The first C&DR road diesels, No. 25 and 26, were based on Minitrix N gauge Fairbanks-Morse
switchers. Bob's C&DR was featured in MR
’s Great Model Railroads 1991 annual.
Both of these layouts are now gone, but HOn30 is still alive and well with a large community of model railroaders enjoying this unique scale and gauge combination around the world.
track) for models of gauge and similar prototypes and HOi (using Z scale track - also known as HOf) for prototypes around - the most popular gauge for industrial (or Feldbahn) railways.
In the United Kingdom where the most popular railway modelling scale is 4 mm/ft or 1:76 scale, the narrow gauge equivalents to HOe and HOm are OO9
and OOn3
for modelling gauge railways—widely used in Ireland and the Isle of Man—on gauge track.
In the United States the NMRA
have developed many standards for narrow gauge modelling, including those modelling in HOn30 and its related gauges.
The following table lists other combinations that are close to HOe/HOn30 in either scale or gauge;
Rail transport modelling
Railway modelling or model railroading is a hobby in which rail transport systems are modelled at a reduced scale...
scale/gauge combination widely used by modellers of European, American, and Japanese narrow gauge railways.
The term HOn30 (and sometimes HOn2½) is generally used when modelling American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
prototypes while H0e is used for European prototypes. In the Britain the term HO9 is sometimes used. All these terms refer to models of narrow gauge railways built to the world's most popular model railway scale of HO
HO scale
HO or H0 is the most popular scale of model railway in the world.According to the NMRA standard S-1.2 predominantly used in North America, in HO scale, represents 1 real foot ; this ratio works out to about 1:87.1. According to the MOROP standard NEM 010 predominantly used in Europe, the scale is...
(1:87) but using a track gauge of —the gauge used for N scale
N scale
N scale is a popular model railway scale/track gauge. Depending upon the manufacturer , the scale ranges from 1:148 to 1:160. In all cases, the gauge is . The term N gauge refers to the track dimensions, but in the UK in particular N gauge refers to a 1:148 scale with track gauge modelling...
models of standard gauge railways.
The scale was invented by Egger-bahn
Egger-bahn
Egger-Bahn was a German model railway manufacturer. The company produced the first H0e models, and established HOe as a viable model railway standard. The firm was founded in 1963 by three brothers. One of them, a performer, soon left the firm. Theodor Egger, technician, and Jonathan Egger,...
in 1963.
HOe is one of the gauge/scale combinations defined by NEM
Normen Europäischer Modelleisenbahnen
NEM standards are the standards for model railroads issued by the MOROP. NEM stands for Normen Europäischer Modellbahnen , Normas Europeas de Modelismo or Normes Européennes de Modélisme , the German translating to European Standards for Model Railways)...
. According to that standard, HOe represents narrow gauges between 650–850 mm (25.6–33.5 in) though it's often used to represent gauge railways as well. In strict scale HOe represents a true gauge of so is very close to the gauge of the and gauge railways most widely used in Germany and the former Austro-Hungarian empire as well as to the gauge used in parts of the British Empire.
HOn30 is often used to model the gauge railroads in the US state of Maine
Maine
Maine is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States, bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the east and south, New Hampshire to the west, and the Canadian provinces of Quebec to the northwest and New Brunswick to the northeast. Maine is both the northernmost and easternmost...
. The first HOn30 / HOn2½ RTR brand introduced in the US was the AHM MinitrainS., initially manufactured by Egger-bahn
Egger-bahn
Egger-Bahn was a German model railway manufacturer. The company produced the first H0e models, and established HOe as a viable model railway standard. The firm was founded in 1963 by three brothers. One of them, a performer, soon left the firm. Theodor Egger, technician, and Jonathan Egger,...
and later by Roco
Roco
Roco, based in Salzburg, Austria, is a manufacturer of model railway equipment.-History:The company was founded in 1960 by Ing. Heinz Rössler and started with a plastic Minitanks series. After export to the USA became successful, the model line was expanded with model trains in H0 scale and the...
and Mehanoteknika Izola, also known as Mehano
Mehano
Mehano is a Slovenian toy company, founded in 1952 as Mehanotehnika, produces a large range of both traditional and electronic toys, as well as model railroad equipment. The company had borne its current name of Mehano since 1990 . Mehano applied for bankruptcy/closure in November of 2008,...
.
Perhaps the most fascinating part of HOn30 is that RTR models are still scarce. One exception is The Minitrains line that has recently been upgraded and reintroduced under the brand BCH MinitrainS.
A brief history of HOn30
In 1965 Bob Hayden and Dave Frary stumbled upon an Associated Hobby Manufacturer’s AHM "Minitrains" HOn2½ (now named HOn30) train set at a Woolworth's department store. It looked like the perfect way to model the MaineMaine
Maine is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States, bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the east and south, New Hampshire to the west, and the Canadian provinces of Quebec to the northwest and New Brunswick to the northeast. Maine is both the northernmost and easternmost...
2-foot railroads in HO scale
HO scale
HO or H0 is the most popular scale of model railway in the world.According to the NMRA standard S-1.2 predominantly used in North America, in HO scale, represents 1 real foot ; this ratio works out to about 1:87.1. According to the MOROP standard NEM 010 predominantly used in Europe, the scale is...
.
The AHM Minitrains line came along just a couple of years after N scale
N scale
N scale is a popular model railway scale/track gauge. Depending upon the manufacturer , the scale ranges from 1:148 to 1:160. In all cases, the gauge is . The term N gauge refers to the track dimensions, but in the UK in particular N gauge refers to a 1:148 scale with track gauge modelling...
appeared in Europe. Minitrains was North American prototype HO scale
HO scale
HO or H0 is the most popular scale of model railway in the world.According to the NMRA standard S-1.2 predominantly used in North America, in HO scale, represents 1 real foot ; this ratio works out to about 1:87.1. According to the MOROP standard NEM 010 predominantly used in Europe, the scale is...
, using N gauge track. AHM offered two industrial locomotives, a Plymouth
Plymouth Locomotive Works
Plymouth Locomotive Works was a US builder of small railroad locomotives. All Plymouth locomotives were built in a plant in Plymouth, Ohio until 1997 when the company was purchased by Ohio Locomotive Crane and production moved to Bucyrus, Ohio in 1999...
diesel and a Baldwin
Baldwin Locomotive Works
The Baldwin Locomotive Works was an American builder of railroad locomotives. It was located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, originally, and later in nearby Eddystone, Pennsylvania. Although the company was very successful as a producer of steam locomotives, its transition to the production of...
steamer.
Bob and Dave used the AHM trains to model a HOn2½ 3' x 5' portable model railroad called the Elk River Line. The layout appeared in articles starting in the April 1970 issue of RMC
Railroad Model Craftsman
Railroad Model Craftsman is an American magazine specializing in the hobby of model railroading. Its first issue in March 1933 was called Model Craftsman because it covered other areas of scale modeling as well. In April 1949 it changed its focus to model trains and changed its name to reflect this...
.
Their next HOn2½ layout was called Thatcher's Inlet. It was a 6’ x 30" shelf-type switching layout. It was inspired by the Wiscasset waterfront of the Maine 2-foot railroads. The equipment was based more on available N gauge products than on the AHM Minitrains line - it reflected the growing variety of N gauge equipment and accessories available in the early 1970s.
Next came Dave Frary's 12' x 26' HOn2½ Carrabasset & Dead River Ry (C&DR). It was the first large model railroad to utilize HOn2½. It appeared in the Nov 1979 and Feb 1980 issues of MR
Model Railroader
Model Railroader is an American magazine specializing in the hobby of model railroading. It was founded in 1934 by Al C. Kalmbach and is based in Waukesha, Wisconsin. It is published monthly by Kalmbach Publishing...
.
During the mid 1970's a Japanese company, Sango, made a kit for a 2-6-0 Baldwin engine which showed a great improvement in running ability. This started a growing interest in HOn2-1/2 in Japan. From 1978 to 1982, Joe Works, Sango, and Flying Zoo kits and and built-up brass models came on the scene. There was a thriving interest in 2-footers in Japan, using N gauge track. You could put a lot of HO scale operation in a limited space.
In 1974 Bob started his own version of the C&DR. Its first engine was a reworked AHM Minitrains steamer. The first C&DR road diesels, No. 25 and 26, were based on Minitrix N gauge Fairbanks-Morse
Fairbanks-Morse
Fairbanks Morse and Company was a manufacturing company in the late 19th and early 20th century. Originally a weighing scale manufacturer, it later diversified into pumps, engines, windmills, locomotives and industrial supplies until it was merged in 1958...
switchers. Bob's C&DR was featured in MR
Model Railroader
Model Railroader is an American magazine specializing in the hobby of model railroading. It was founded in 1934 by Al C. Kalmbach and is based in Waukesha, Wisconsin. It is published monthly by Kalmbach Publishing...
’s Great Model Railroads 1991 annual.
Both of these layouts are now gone, but HOn30 is still alive and well with a large community of model railroaders enjoying this unique scale and gauge combination around the world.
Related Scales
The other NEM defined narrow gauges for HO scale are HOm (using gauge originally TT scaleTT scale
thumb|right|250px|TT scale model railroadTT scale is a niche model railroading scale, whose name stands for Table Top.Its 1:120 scale and gauge sizes it almost halfway between HO scale and N scale...
track) for models of gauge and similar prototypes and HOi (using Z scale track - also known as HOf) for prototypes around - the most popular gauge for industrial (or Feldbahn) railways.
In the United Kingdom where the most popular railway modelling scale is 4 mm/ft or 1:76 scale, the narrow gauge equivalents to HOe and HOm are OO9
OO9
OO9 is a model railway scale and gauge combination of 4 mm scale and gauge tracks, which models a prototype track gauge of . It is a common choice in the United Kingdom for the modelling of narrow gauge railways whose prototype gauges lie approximately between and...
and OOn3
OOn3
OOn3 is a model railway standard for modelling narrow gauge railways in 4mm scale scale with gauge track. prototypes were common in Ireland and the Isle of Man, but the scale is not generally used outside the British Isles. gauge track is the same as that used in TT scale and HOm, so some...
for modelling gauge railways—widely used in Ireland and the Isle of Man—on gauge track.
In the United States the NMRA
National Model Railroad Association
The National Model Railroad Association is a non-profit organization for those involved in the hobby or business of model railroading. It was founded in the United States in 1935, and is now active in Canada, Australia, Great Britain, and the Netherlands...
have developed many standards for narrow gauge modelling, including those modelling in HOn30 and its related gauges.
The following table lists other combinations that are close to HOe/HOn30 in either scale or gauge;
| Name | Scale | Gauge | Prototype gauge | Used |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HOn2 | 3.5 mm | 7mm (0.276 in) | American United States The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district... |
|
| OO9 OO9 OO9 is a model railway scale and gauge combination of 4 mm scale and gauge tracks, which models a prototype track gauge of . It is a common choice in the United Kingdom for the modelling of narrow gauge railways whose prototype gauges lie approximately between and... |
4 mm/foot | British Isles British Isles The British Isles are a group of islands off the northwest coast of continental Europe that include the islands of Great Britain and Ireland and over six thousand smaller isles. There are two sovereign states located on the islands: the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and... |
||
| OOn12 | 4 mm/foot | British Isles British Isles The British Isles are a group of islands off the northwest coast of continental Europe that include the islands of Great Britain and Ireland and over six thousand smaller isles. There are two sovereign states located on the islands: the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and... |
||
| Sn2 | 4.8 mm/foot | or | American United States The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district... |
|
| HOm | 3.5 mm | Europe Europe Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting... an |
||
| HOn3 | 3.5 mm | American United States The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district... |
||