[6] In 2007, Bachmann gave a major "shot in the arm" to Maine On2 scale modeling when they introduced their On30 scale Forney locomotive (now discontinued), which is based on a Baldwin catalog design very close to actual locomotives used by Maine 2-foot gauge prototype railroads.

The minimum practical radius is generally said to be 42 in (1 m)[8] In the early years of On2, Bob Werner's Portland Products was the major supplier of castings and the various small parts needed to model the Maine two footers.

Peter Barney had his Sandy River Car Shops line of kits, which were essentially boxes of stripwood with meager instructions.

NJ International, Coronado Scale Models, Gary Kohler, and others all brought out limited run kits or detail parts over the years of varied quality, only to have them fade from existence due to lack of sales.

Sandy River Car Shops kits are still available from Peter Barney's friends at Cranberry Junction hobbies, but they are very dated in their design and materials.

The line of kits was eventually bought out by Darryl Sleszinski after Chris' interests shifted, but it never enjoyed the same level of success seen in the beginning.

The difference of On2 scale, compared to its nearest alternative (On30), is that On2 scale equates to the correct track gauge for 2 ft prototypes - such as Maine "Two Footers" and the many industrial operations that used or continue to use this gauge - including existing 21st century sugar cane operations in Australia, Fiji, Indonesia.

On2 has the advantage over HOn3 or HOn2 in that it is large enough to operate reliably and it is possible to add a significant level of detail to locomotives, rolling stock, buildings and scenery.