Sn3½

In rail transport modelling, Sn3½ is a scale/gauge combination derived from S scale to represent narrow gauge 3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm) track by using 16.5 mm (0.65 in) gauge track (the same as HO gauge). The scale is 1:64.

Sn3½
Scale3⁄16 in (4.8 mm) to 1 ft (305 mm)
Scale ratio1:64
Model gauge16.5 mm (0.65 in)
Prototype gauge3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm)

Sn3½ is popular in South Africa, Australia (particularly Western Australia,[1] Queensland[2] and Tasmania[3] where narrow gauge systems exist) and New Zealand.[4]

Sn3½ is very rarely or never used for modelling in other countries with 3 foot 6 (1067mm) gauge railways such as Japan, Taiwan, Indonesia etc.

Track

As 3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm) track scales down to 16.5 mm at 1:64, modelers use HO gauge track (which represents standard gauge at 1:87 scale) on Sn3½ layouts.[5]

New Zealand
See also: New Zealand Model Railway Guild
S scale, NZR W class locomotive from New Zealand Finescale.

Sn3½ is the primary scale for modeling New Zealand's narrow gauge 3 ft 6 in railways. The majority of rolling stock available, are white-metal kits, making them considerably more expensive and heavier than other scales and countries. Many of these kits are highly detailed. Buildings are generally hand-made and track (HO gauge track) can either be purchased or hand laid with sleepers and rail. Alternatives for modeling New Zealand railways is 1:120 or TT scale, known as NZ120, as it is a cheaper option. HOn3½ gauge, HO scale with 12mm gauge, is also increasing in popularity.

New Zealand Sn3½ suppliers and manufacturers

Sm

Sm gauge is also defined by the German NEM 10 standard,[6] representing Continental European metre gauge.

See also

References

Citations
  1. "Australian Model Railway Association Western Australian Branch Inc". December 2012. Retrieved 1 February 2013.
  2. "AMRA Queensland - S scale group". 1 February 2013.
  3. "Rail Tasmania - Modelling the Railway of Tasmania". 12 October 2012. Retrieved 1 February 2013.
  4. "Modelling the railways of New Zealand". New Zealand Model Railway Guild. 20 March 2013. Retrieved 31 October 2022.
  5. Morrell, Grant. "Modeling the dream". 'S' Scale Modeling New Zealand Railway (NZR).
  6. "Normen Europäischer Modellbahnen Maßstäbe, Nenngrößen, Spurweiten" (PDF) (in German). NEM. 2011. Retrieved 2014-05-15.

Bibliography
  • Mackay, Stuart (2012). Modelling the 3'6" Gauge Railways of Western Australia 1894-1987: In Sn3½ Scale. Vol. 1. Willetton, WA, Australia: Stuart D Y Mackay. ISBN 9780987310101.
  • Mackay, Stuart (2014). Modelling the 3'6" Gauge Railways of Western Australia 1894-1987: In Sn3½ Scale. Vol. 2. Willetton, WA, Australia: Stuart D Y Mackay. ISBN 9780987310118.
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