There are more supplies available new today than you might guess, products that will enhance your work in American OO. Search this site using the search box, you will find more information, or browse the “available today” category.

Couplers
Standard head Kadee HO couplers (and all related standard head couplers) work great in American OO. They not only work well with each other, but also they are accurately sized for OO and will coupler manually with vintage Scale-Craft and Lionel couplers. For models that you plan to operate they are a wonderful option.

Decals
While a number of firms offer custom decals, Tichy will produce any of their line of decals, on special order, as 1/76 scale. These are suitable to a wide range of applications to vintage OO models. Also, speaking generally HO decals will work on OO models, the lettering being slightly undersized is not terribly noticeable. I have made much use of Microscale decals.

Freight cars
Depending on how much of a stickler for detail you are, there are quite a few large HO models (modern era) that will look OK on an OO layout. search this site for HO conversions for some ideas.

Locomotives
Although not the most detailed, several different designers on Shapeways have offered 3D printed Diesel locomotive bodies in 1/76, including SW7, GP20, SD24, and Alco FA models. All of these were models developed for another scale (most often N scale), but with the design established all that needs to be done is alter the scale.

Another locomotive to mention is the Hallmark Lionel F-3. This is an OO scale version of their O gauge model and can, with effort, be powered for operation. Manufactured a few years ago, it is easy to find on eBay and makes a nice display piece.

If you don’t mind locomotives that are slightly underscale, I have altered vintage Fleischmann Baldwin switcher and Alco FA models to operate in OO, and the old AHM S-2 and SW-1 models all look nice. For these I use drive parts altered from blue box era Athearn road Diesels.

As to steam, the Mantua/Tyco 4-6-0 is an OO scale model, it was always well overscale for HO, and with many produced it is an easy model to locate.

Scenic
Besides modifying HO buildings, there are entire lines of 1/76 scenic materials aimed at the British market. My favorite items are the vehicles in 1/76 by Oxford Diecast, they will enhance any OO layout or display.

Standards gauge
Although off the market, it is well worth searching out a NMRA OO/On3 standards gauge, it is an essential tool for the OO operator.

Track
While the ties are oversized, American OO models will run perfectly on On3 flex track, the track gauge and all NMRA standards are the same. San Juan Car Company makes a line of flex track and matching turnouts, and if you wanted to operate on it with a center or outside third rail you could add that to this track with some ingenuity.

Vintage track is another option. On my own layout, I opted to hand lay the track with code 100 rail, much of it done using Sn3 ties which due to a quirk of gauges and scales are sized very well for OO.

Finally, there is also now (since 2021) a line of 3D printed OO tie strip available. Check the American OO group on Facebook for more info or write to me.

Trucks
While they require some effort to assemble, there are several viable options for trucks, and two specific types I would highlight.

The first is what I call “Morlok Method” trucks, after the person who described these first in an article in The OO Road, the newsletter of the American OO SIG of the NMRA. What you do is take the HO Mantua/Tyco Bettendorf style trucks (HO scale!) and open up the area inside so that HO 36″ wheelsets, widened out on their original axle, will fit. These built up well roll great, but they work best visually on models where the trucks are somewhat hidden, such as a flat car. The process to make these is described here.

The second is the Sn3 conversion truck. P-B-L for example has a line of these, and due to a quirk of gauges and scales several of the arch-bar designs and also especially the sideframes of the Andrews and Bettendorf types scale out well for OO. You have to make a new bolster (I use Evergreen tubing) and use HO 36″ or 38″ wheelsets, widened on their original axle.

Wheelsets
You will need wheelsets for either of the above truck options — I suggest modifying HO wheelsets. Traditional 36” passenger truck wheelsets convert to 31.5”, and several makers produce 38″ wheelsets, these scale out just a bit over 33″, perfect for freight cars. Also note that 40” HO Diesel wheelsets would convert to 34.9”, which would work in a passenger truck.

While pricy, NWSL On3 20″ wheelsets work perfectly in many vintage OO trucks, and are a great choice for tender trucks. In OO these scale out to be 31.7″ wheelsets, just a bit under the 33″ standard for freight. Also, On3 24” converts to 38” and would be suited for passenger trucks, and 26″ converts to 41.1” which would work for Diesel trucks.

And more!

Finally, if you are stumped for any parts, check with the OO group on Facebook (American OO Scale Railroading), we are a helpful bunch and might be able to help you out.