HOn30 Module Standards
| MODULE
HEIGHT |
MINIMUM
RADIUS and GRADES |
|
| TRACK
LOCATION |
COUPLER
and WHEEL STANDARDS |
JOINING
MODULES |
| TRACK
and JOINER-TRACK SECTIONS |
||
| TRACK
AREA CLEARANCES |
CONSTRUCTION
MATERIALS |
WIRING
STANDARDS |
.
Height to the top of the rail is 48".
Most of the modules built so far have 45"-long
legs with a 1" standard extension on an adjusting bolt or leg leveler
(so it can go up or down about 7/8"). This is a 46" leg, which leaves 2"
for the module top, track support, and track.
Placing the rail height 2" above the leg height leaves room for
scenic features below the track, and other flexibility such as a spur with
a downgrade.
The center of the mainline track is 6-7/8"
from the BACK edge of the module measured from the face of the backdrop. If you want to build a module with your track
running through the backdrop to a staging area you may, as long as the visible
portion of the mainline crosses the ends at 6 7/8” from the face of the backdrop.
Why the odd setback? When Chris McChesney,
Jim Pasquill, and then Dave Frary built modules
to connect this was the setback that worked for them. Bob Hayden soon followed and then others.
Thus a precedent was set which may be odd, but it works fine and is
no stranger than HOn30 itself.
Having the mainline toward the back allows placing
the interesting stuff -- spurs, industries, depots, turntables, and so forth
in front of the main line and toward the viewer and reinforces the impression
that the trains are running through the scenery instead of in front of it.
The mainline must cross the module boundary at
a 90-degree angle except as noted below.
Module pairs that will always be mated may have
a non-standard setback at their internal boundary and may cross their internal
boundaries at a different angle.
If enough members of an operating group want to
establish a standard for a main in another location they may do so, preferably
in consultation with the other groups so that a universal “alternate” standard
may be adopted.
TRACK
and JOINER-TRACK SECTIONS
The top of the rail must be 48" above the
floor, and the joining section must be code 70 except as noted below.
Minimum mainline rail size is code 55, with code
70 recommended
The mainline must end 3" from the end of each
module requiring a 6” code 70 joiner section. Currently most of us are using Micro-Engineering
code 70 flex-track for the joiner and the main. Some
are using Shinohara code 70 N scale flex track as it is more flexible than
ME track. However, note that Shinohara
track has higher ties than ME so you must compensate for that or it may cause
problems in getting the joiner to lay flat.
Any other kind of track can cause similar problems so be prepared to
adjust either the height of the track or depth of the area that the track
occupies.
Owners of module pairs that have the same track
code other than code 70 may use a joiner track of the same code. For example, there is no need to have a code
70 joiner between two code 55 modules if the owners supply a code 55 joiner. Code 70 was chosen as a good compromise between
those who use code 55 rail and those who use code 80/83 and with readily available
code 70 track and turnouts it is the preferred choice.
We use the NMRA N-gauge standards gauge for track
and turnouts.
Parallel
to the main tracks must be at least 1 ½” apart on centers,
with 1 3/4” or more preferred.
If you plan to join parallel passing sidings with
other’s modules the passing siding must be 1 ¾” on centers from the main and
end 3” from the module end. The current
preference is to have passing sidings that extend from one module to another
in front of the main. Check with your
local operating group.
All parts of road crossings should be 1/64" lower than the rail top. Flangeways through
crossings, like turnout frogs, must be to NMRA N standards.
Building
and platform clearances should be a full HO scale 36"
from the outer edge of the outer rail.
The NMRA HOn3 standards gauge is a good tool to
use to assure proper track clearances in HOn30.
If you have a friend in HOn3 borrow his gauge and trace it onto some
hardboard, cut it out, then mount it on a stick creating a useful gauge that
can be run though a module with less chance of knocking something with your
arm..
The minimum
is an 18" radius for the
mainline and passing sidings. For any
other track the radius is up to the owner but keep in mind that the tighter
the radius the fewer cars and locomotives that will be able to run on parts
of a module.
Turnouts:
Minimum No. 6 off the main to spurs
and sidings that are built to the mainline standards. The mainline should go through the straight
leg of switches.
Grades:
The current members prefer that the main and designated passing sidings have
no grade at all. The net grade allowed
is “0”. Before designing a module with
a grade on the main and passing sidings please discuss it with the members
you plan to be operating with.
We use the NMRA
N gauge standards gauge for wheels, Microtrains
couplers and the Microtrains MT-1055 gauge for coupler height. Rolling stock to be used in a mix with other
owner’s rolling stock must have body mounted couplers.
Backdrops should extend at least 12" above
the top of the rail. 14" is better and we are encouraging
folks to accept 14" as the standard. Each local group has chosen a standard sky color.
Please contact the members for the latest.
You may use ANY materials they wish as long as
the modules can be mated. It is critical
that the end of each module be perfectly flat and squared, without any protruding
points or uneven areas that can result in modules not mating flush. Modules
must be the exact stated length, i.e. a f our foot module should be four feet
and not four feet and a quarter inch, as minor variations can make it impossible
to complete an oval or other continuous layout.
There are no required scenery contours. However, we welcome it if you want to try to
work closely with one or more of your members so that your modules match.
Check with your local group for standard facing
colors and other requirements such as skirting.
The standard is a single-track mainline. An individual
can have any number of tracks crossing the internal boundaries of modules
that are always to be mated to each other.
Module
width: minimum 20"; maximum 30", 24” is recommended.
Local groups can allow deviations according to their own desires.
For the sake of esthetics, it is recommended that modules wider and
thinner than 24” have front ends contoured to bring the module in or out to
24”.
Length
is not proscribed, but 4' is what most are using. While a 4'-long scene in HO scale doesn't allow
for much scenery and track, pairs of 4' modules can make excellent scenes.
3' modules are allowed if that is all you have space for.
Paired 3’ modules offer more flexibility and are particularly easy
to transport if stacked. For ease in
setup at larger shows it is preferable to have module sets in multiples of
4’. If you want to build modules that are not in
multiples of 4’ please check with your intended operating group. You may be asked to provide a unit that will
bring your total module length up to a multiple of 4’ so that a loop can be
completed.
Our modules are operated from in front (facing the module) so turnout and electrical
controls should be in front.
Corner
standards: Local groups can decide if they want to create
layouts that have inside or outside corners, or use loops at the end of point
to point layouts. Several corner designs
are being experimented with by the groups in
We use a standard 3" C-clamp, per NTrak. Top of rail to inside edge of the
spine of C-clamp not to exceed 4-1/2". Some members are using large spring clamps that
are also acceptable.
PECO
CODE 80 TO CODE 70 TRANSITIONS
Here is a method used by Bob Hayden that you can
use to bring code 80 Peco track down to the standard
code 70 joiner. You can use a similar
procedure to bring code 55 up to the standard code 70 joiner.
To bring the Peco code
80 track on the module down to code 70 for the transition, cut the rail out
of the Peco code 80 flex-track for the last 2",
but leave the ties. Slip a rail joiner
halfway onto the end of the code 80 rail, then flatten
with pliers so it's roughly .010" thick. Solder code 70 rail
on top of joiner and to end of code 80 rail, then file smooth. Paint it, and
you'll have a hard time even seeing it after you add ballast. If you want to be fussy, slip a strip of .010"
Evergreen styrene under the Code 70 rail to shim it up against the molded
flex-track spikes. If you don’t want
to use stock N gauge code 70 flex, module to module joiner sections can be
made by replacing the code 80 rail in Peco flex-track
with code 70 rail.
See the separate document on wiring. Currently most members have their modules wired
as one cab with ability to cut power to sidings. This is acceptable for now but the two cab system
in the proposed wiring standard is what the groups involved have agreed to
work toward. You need not build in many blocks. Your whole module can be one block if any sidings
can be powered off.
The West Coast group is using DCC so check with
them for any different requirements.
RESOURCES
The NTrak Manual is a
useful book for any module builder and can be ordered for $1.50 from NTRAK
C/O Jim Fitzgerald,
Check out all the resources at http://home.powertech.no/jr/HOn30.html/.
Check out what the
http://www.ameritech.net/users/brian_williams/index.htm
http://www.geocities.com/CapeCanaveral/Galaxy/8525/flagstp.html
Also check in on the West Coast group by joining
leftcoasthon30@yahoogroups.com.