Anyone familiar with this set? On30?

[christyson]

I'm interested in getting a train set to go around our tree, so that my 4 year old and 2 year old can enjoy a train during the holidays.  We don't plan on using it beyond Christmas time.  I have never purchased, or used, a model train set before.  I have been reading about HO and O.  The consensus seems to be to get an O set (or at least something bigger).  I saw this set on Bachman's site and was wondering if anyone had any suggestions, as I'm not familiar with On30 scale: http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/products.php?act=viewProd&productId=3188
Thanks!

[NarrowMinded]

This is a little small but would work, ON30 is O scale narrow gauge it runs on HO track, you might consider taking a trip to the local train shop or hobbie store to get an idea of what size the differant scales are. if you dont have time for that keep in mind that on30 is the size of the Dept. 56 village train and uses the same track.

NM

[christyson]

So, is it O size trains?  But running on narrow gauge track?

[ABC]

The locomotive and rolling stock are O scale, the track gauge is HO. So essentially a loco the same height, width and length as an O scale train, but the wheels are narrower and in HO gauge.

[NarrowMinded]

Hi, I just want to add that O scale narrow gauge locos are usually physically smaller then standard gauge O scale representations


NM

[Jim Banner]

My only concern is that 0n30 is a bit more difficult to put on the rails than is H0, in spite of the track being the same.  That is because the wheels and track tend to be hidden under the larger cars.  Even though the cars are about the same size, these 0n30 trains are not your Grandad's old Lionel 0-27 or MARX 0-scale trains that would stand up to a numerous trips to the floor and could be rerailled by a precocious 4 year old.

Jim

[TrainArts]

Personally, having worked in N, HO, On30, O and G scales, I think this would be a great set for Christmas.

It has the best of both worlds, the larger train to please the kids and the flexibility of the HO EZ-Track system.

If your kids want to play with trains after Xmas you can start collecting HO equipment, and just break out the On30 Xmas set once a year. Not being a purist, in my mind it's OK to mix HO and On30, though saying that makes me a heretic.

I agree with Banner's point about On30 being harder to put on the tracks, but it's not that much harder, and IN THEORY you shouldn't have to rerail a new set that often.

The set you mention can be had for around $200? That might seem a little steep for an entry set but it's a Spectrum set, which is Bachmann's higher quality trains.

I think it would be a good purchase. If you just looking for a train, Spectrum quality, at a little better price, check out this Ebay seller, who has the best deals out there. http://cgi.ebay.com/BACHMANN-SPECTRUM-ON30-ROARING-RIDGE-TRAIN-SET-25014_W0QQitemZ370297013791QQcmdZViewItemQQptZModel_RR_Trains?hash=item56376c061f