On30 Models -- Physical Dimensions

** NOTE: The data on this page is being populated as we complete evaluations of the various models

In any discussion of On30 models, one of the topics is usually physical size of the various models and how they compare. The table below provides the basic information for the common ready-to-run engines available.

On30 Locomotive Dimensions (including other Powered Equipment)

Manufacturer & Model	Length	Length Over Couplers	Width	Height
Bachmann On30 14-Ton Two-Truck Stearns-Heisler	144 mm / 5.65 in	160 mm / 6.28 in	46 mm / 1.78 in	70 mm / 2.74 in
Bachmann On30 T-Boiler Two-Truck Shay
Bachmann On30 28-Ton Two-Truck Climax
Bachmann On30 2-6-6-2 Articulated
Bachmann On30 2-4-4-2 Articulated
Bachmann On30 Baldwin Forney 2-4-4
Bachmann On30 Baldwin 2-8-0 Outside Frame Consolidation
Bachmann On30 Baldwin 4-6-0
Bachmann On30 4-4-0 American Inside Frame
Bachmann On30 4-4-0 Modern Outside Frame
Bachmann On30 Porter 0-4-2
Bachmann On30 Porter 0-4-2
Bachmann On30 2-6-0 Mogul
Bachmann On30 Closed Streetcar
Bachmann On30 Railbus & Trailer
Bachmann On30 RailTruck
Bachmann On30 Whitcomb 50-Ton Center-Cab Diesel
Model Power HO Plymouth MDT Switcher

On30 Rolling Stock Dimensions

Manufacturer & Model	Length	Length Over Couplers	Width	Height

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Model Power Plymouth MDT Locomotive - On30 Critter, Donor chassis, or both??

Many may already be aware of this but for for those who are not -- Model Power offers an HO Plymouth MDT locomotive. It's significantly oversized for HO scale -- both the shell and the wheels. In fact some in the On30 crowd use it right out of the box as small diesel or critter on their layout. It seems this locomotive has been around for a long time, but the most recent release from Model Power is a smooth running locomotive with great electronics built right in. I've purchased a few of these and have been very pleased.

It is also a great donor chassis for an On30 critter and some like Tim Moat of Coyote Flats Depot offer critter kits built on top of this chassis (kits available on eBay). If you're looking for a chassis for a critter that won't break the bank, this may be the solution for you.

On top of all the positives, right now (May 2018) Trainworld is offering these on sale at the unbelievable price of USD $44.99 for the locomotive with what we will call "Do It All" electronics built right in -- it runs on standard DC, it runs on NMRA DCC, has built-in sound, and it has wireless control and controller right in the box or just $19.99 for the standard DC version. The "Do It All" edition locomotive has MRC's very capable DCC/DC dual mode decoder with sound and also integrates its Loco Genie™ right in the locomotive (on-board electronics) and in the box (Loco Genie controller).

If one of these scenarios fits your needs/wants for your On30 layout, you might want to visit Trainworld's web site and pick up one or two...

N.B. I have no financial relationship with Trainworld except as a satisfied customer.

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On30 Powered Equipment Minimum Radius

When I initially was considering modeling in On30, one of the first areas of research was the minimum radius required to operate the various commercial products. I am modeling in a very small space (102 inches x 30 inches, or approximately 260cm x 76cm) and I wanted to ensure the commercial On30 products of interest would be a reasonable fit. Around the internet I found a number of pieces of data. From these various web sites/pages and other sources, I put together the following table that I use as a reference -- perhaps it will help other modelers as well. Below the table you will find links to some of the major sources I used to assemble the table -- in a few cases, I have made adjustments based on my experience and/or data from other sources not listed.

Also please note that there is a separate entry coming on this blog that provides minimum radius information on On30 powered equipment kits that use HO mechanisms as donor chassis for On30 powered equipment.

Manfacturer	Model	Manufacturer Recommended Radius	Reported to Operate at (may need adjustments)
Bachmann	On30 2-6-0 Mogul	18" or greater	12"
Bachmann	On30 0-4-0 Porter	12" or greater	6"
Bachmann	On30 0-4-2 Porter	15" or greater	9"
Bachmann	On30 2-4-4-2 Articulated	18" or greater
Bachmann	On30 2-6-6-2 Articulated	18" or greater	18"
Bachmann	On30 Baldwin 4-6-0	22" or greater	17"
Bachmann	On30 14-ton Two-Truck Stearns Heisler	15" or greater
Bachmann	On30 1890's 4-4-0 American Inside Frame	18" or greater	15"
Bachmann	On30 Modern 4-4-0 American Outside Frame	18" or greater	15"
Bachmann	On30 2-4-4 Forney Inside/Outside Frame	22" or greater	18"
Bachmann	On30 28-Ton Two-Truck Class B Climax	18" or greater	12"
Bachmann	On30 Two Truck Shay	18" or greater	15"
Bachmann	On30 2-8-0 Outside Frame	22" or greater	12"-18"
Bachmann	On30 0-6-0	18" or greater
Bachmann	On30 Rail Truck	18" or greater	10"
Bachmann	On30 Rail Bus & Trailer	18" or greater	18"
Bachmann	On30 Closed Street Car	15" or greater	3"
Bachmann	On30 0-4-0 Side Rod Gas Mechanical	12" or greater	6"
Bachmann	On30 Whitcomb 50-ton Center Cab	15" or greater
Accucraft Trains	On30 Plymouth Diesel Switcher 0-4-0 Model No: AM55-013 (unpainted, yellow)	6" or greater	6"
Accucraft Trains	On30 Diesel Switcher 0-4-0 Model No: AM55-033 (D&RGW #50) AM55-034 (Sumpter Valley RR #101)	6" or greater	6"
Broadway Limited	On30 C-16 2-8-0	18" or greater	15"
Precision Scale Co (MMI)	On30 K27 2-8-2	26" or greater	26"

(more entries coming)

Where to find additional information:

• On30 Practical Minimum Radius Guide (2009) - although now dated, this document has the most comprehensive information that this blogger has found.
• On30 Scale Minimum Radius - Locomotives & Rolling Stock (October 2014) - on FineTrains blog

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