I really liked the HOn2 1/2 tram layouts and even tried to build one. HOn2 1/2 is great to save space, but really a total pain to make run smoothly. If the trains don't run well for switching, it really does not cut it for me.

On a related note: I wonder why TT never takes off? TT would seem like the perfect scale to save space and still have great running equipment for the newer eras. N scale seems like it is just to small to me.

Sn3 is has great product support but it is not cheap. I was looking at HOn3 as the best bet if you used the larger D&RG equipment like the MDC 2-8-0. I thought I would be able to get HOn3 to run smooth with a reasonable struggle and was going that way when On30 came out. I was not that hot on HOn3 because I knew getting HOn3 to run smooth would be a struggle. O scale is of course much larger. I like the small buildings you find in the west, so if I used small O scale buildings in the foreground and smaller HO buildings in the background behind the tracks, I could fit everything in the same space as a HO layout. I expect to have over half of my buildings in HO scale. For me, it is a big deal that you can get a large selection of diecast cars and trucks in 1/43 and 1/50. 1/43 is too large so they can go in front of the track and 1/50 is too small so they can go behind the track. A 1/43 or 1/50 car or truck would be easy to detail compared to HO. Most figures look better to me if they are in the distance where it is not so obvious that they are not moving, so I expect to have most of my figures on the layout in HO scale which will also lower my cost. I like the quality of the Peco track and was very pleased to find out that they had On30 track available.

Lets review how On30 rates with Donboy:
Tram equipment available at reasonable cost - Good!
Large selection of cars and truck models available at reasonable cost - Good!
Can use small O scale buildings in foreground and larger HO scale buildings in background for a large selection of buildings at reasonable cost - Good!
Can have most of the figures on the layout in HO scale and in the background so there will be a large selection of figures at low cost - Good!
Quality ready to use track available from Peco - Good!

On30 extraction tram?

Later, I expect to add on to the layout using On30 trains of the three foot type equipment but my first focus will be the tram line. To expand using the same gauge of track but larger equipment should be easy if and when I get to it.

May 2005 Later is now!  I am adding on to my house so I have more room for my layout and after careful consideration I have concluded that the larger 'mainline” narrow gauge locomotives and cars will provide more reliable performance for operation.  For operational fun flawless performance of track, locomotives and cars comes first.