2025 On30 ANNUAL: What a time to be a modeler, especially in On30! We’ve added even more value to the On30 Annual, delivering amazing models, layouts, and building projects in O scale for 2025. Now in its 20th year of providing modeling fun and accessible narrow gauge for everyone, the On30 Annual is your definitive guide to O scale narrow gauge modeling. Order your copy today!

A Look Back… And a Look Ahead

A Look Back… And a Look Ahead

A look back at 20 years of the On30 Annual, led by editor and narrow gauge modeler Chris Lane, and published by White River Productions.


Scratchbuilding with Scale Lumber: Evanoff Pattern & Foundry

Scratchbuilding with Scale Lumber: Evanoff Pattern & Foundry

Sometimes less is better. Model buildings are too often weathered to the point of total decrepitness, as if the whole world is ancient and crumbling into disrepair. Surely there must be some recently built, or at the least, some well-maintained structures in our miniature world? Rather than simulating peeling paint and rotting lumber, this O scale structure was modeled in a state of relative newness.


History of the Bellevue & Cascade

History of the Bellevue & Cascade

The Chicago, Bellevue, Cascade & Western Railway Company was organized in 1877 and its 36 miles of 30 lb. iron arrived in Cascade Iowa, a town of 900 souls, on the evening of December 31, 1879. The CBC&W’s eastern terminus was at Bellevue, Iowa, on the Mississippi River.


Scratchbuild a Country Depot in Six Steps

Scratchbuild a Country Depot in Six Steps

While planning the town of Bayfield on my new Texas Creek & Southern railroad, I located the site for my depot. I wanted it to be a small, branchline-type structure. After looking around to see what was available, I decided to scratchbuild my own.


AMS On3/On30 D&RGW Short Caboose

AMS On3/On30 D&RGW Short Caboose

The short caboose was once the mainstay office and living quarters for train crews throughout the Rio Grande’s narrow gauge operations. Decoration and minor detail miscues aside, this a very good O scale model of a numerous, well-known and well-preserved class of narrow gauge cars.


Creative Laser Design’s Quincy Station

Creative Laser Design’s Quincy Station

Available in both O scale as well as HO scale, the Quincy station model by Creative Laser Design will find a number of uses on any model railroad being able to serve as a flag stop station, crossing guard’s shanty or small yard office just to list a few the possibilities.


San Juan Car Co. O Scale Parts

San Juan Car Co. O Scale Parts

After getting a few pairs of the excellent On3/On30 passenger car trucks, I was pretty excited when San Juan announced they would be doing a Jackson & Sharp coach. I was equally disappointed when they announced late in 2012 that the coach project was suspended indefinitely.


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