The most popular model railroad scale today is HO Scale, or 1:87. The smaller scales are N scale (1:160) and Z scale (1:220) and are ideal scales to use where you have a limited amount of space in which to build your layout. On an N scale layout everything would be 1/160 the size of full scale, and on a Z scale layout, things would be 1/220 the size of full scale. The smaller scales call for better vision and hand eye coordination when assembling buildings and working on rolling stock.

G Scale Model Train Caboose

The larger model railroad scales are S Scale (1:64), O scale (1:48) and G scale (1:24). Many of the old Lionel trainsets of the 50’s and 60’s were O scale, and today O scale is still a very popular scale in model railroading. G scale is known as Garden Scale and is extremely popular for outdoor model railroad layouts where it is easy to keep the natural scenery in proportion to the rolling stock.

Garden Railroad Clubs are very popular and have sprouted up across the country in large numbers. Garden railroad are ideal for a husband and wife to share the same hobby. One can tend to the plants and the other the railroad. There is also a new breed of garden centers which make available plants and shrubs sized just right for the G scale Garden Railroads.

Spectrum Narrow 0-4-0 Side Tank Porter Train

The term scale and gauge do not have the same meaning. Scale refers to the size of objects in proportion to their prototype. Gauge refers to the distance between the rails. Most scales model standard gauge track. Standard gauge railroads are those whose rails are 4 feet 8 and one half inches apart.

Those modelers that model 3′ gauge, or narrow gauge railroads use a combination of scales and gauges. For instance, you can model narrow gauge using HO scale. It is called HOn3. The HO refers to the scale and the “n” refers to narrow gauge and the “3″ refers to 3′ between the rails. The only thing that sets HOn3 apart from HO is that the 10.5mm gauge track it uses is not as wide.

You can also model O scale, N scale and S scale as narrow gauge. They are called On3, Nn3 and Sn3. Again, the only thing that differentiates them from their parent scale is the use of narrow gauge track. It is possible to use 30″ gauge track (30 inches between the rails) and 2′ gauge track (24″ between the rails). Some popular scale/gauge combinations are On30 and On2.

There are also even larger scales such as 1:12, 1:8 and 1:4. These would be used on park rides and on live steam layouts where you actually ride on the rolling stock.

Free e-book for the HO model train enthusiast……  Sign-up for a free 11-part “Secrets to Successful Model Railroading” email course. Learn everything you need to know about setting up ultra cool HO scale model train layout that will bring joy to the life of yourself and your family for years to come! Learn more about HO trains, layouts and parts at the above links. Do you know the one thing every locomotive must have to attain full power? If not, the free class will tell you that and much more! When you decide which scale you want to use, set up your train, layout and scenery in 7 days by reading  “The Super Guide for Model Trains”

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So, why do men want to play with toys like toy model trains? As I said above maybe is a control issue. Some people are wired in such a way that they need to understand how and why everything works, such as knowing why and how the electricity goes through the track and picked up by the engine to make the wheels turn. Maybe it’s understanding the track itself or they like the organization of the train cars on the track. I think a closer clue would be the memory of a train going around the Christmas tree of their youth and all the smells that are associated with Christmas and scale model trains. Toy though, isn’t a very appropriate word for model trains these days. The toy trains of old have evolved into small detailed machines that are ready for grown men to play with!

Toy model trains typically refer to the plastic toy trains you might find in the toy isle at Walmart. These are typically cheap in price and low in quality but they are a great way for a young child to began his or her experience with toy model trains. One important issue for toy model trains is that boys grow up into men! You toy train grows up also and are called scale model locomotives. An important fact is that locomotives are built to last a long time. The locomotive and cars are of much higher quality a lot more power and you no longer have to push the train to get it going as you probably did with your toy model trains. The locomotive wheels are made of steel and the locomotive is heavy making solid contact with the track which in turn creates a good flow of electricity to the trains motors. These are the facts that make a model train hobbyist smile. Did I mention the locomotives have much stronger electrical engines. A strong engine will give a model train system strong pulling power. Metal locomotives last so much longer than plastic locomotives and if cared for properly, you to pass it on. Another benefit of having a heavy model train locomotive is that it maintains good contact with the track and result in a much better running train with far less chance of derailment.

Model Train Scale is a subject all unto itself but it is a rather involved system that defines the realistic size of the different model trains that are available. As you might have guess, scale model trains come in anything from a large outdoor train to a super small micro train. Further research on model train scale will help you get a better understanding of this concept.

For the purist model railroad hobbyists, some model train manufactures offer real life model steam trains, no electricity needed because they run on actual steam. As you would expect there are many different varieties of steam engines with a very large difference in price, but in the long run watching these model steam trains and their engines puffing steam while chugging down the track is really a site to behold!

How many truck drivers to you know and how many real life train engineers do you know? There aren’t very many train engineers but I would almost imagine that their work has become their job and not their hobby. Somehow though, I think these engineers would at some point get just as excited as any model train enthusiast because there is just something magical about these electric model trains.

The internet is a great place to begin to learn about model trains. You can actually get a free 10-Day ecourse, delivered to your email address about “Secrets to Successful Model Railroading”. Learn everything you need to know about setting up ultra cool Model Train Layout layout that will bring joy to the life of yourself and your family for years to come! Learn more about HO trains, layouts and parts at the above links. Do you know the one thing every locomotive must have to attain full power? If not, the free class will tell you that and much more!

Ho scale model train car image

Surprisingly, one of the larger sizes that is used most is the O scale mode train. A scale of 1:48 has been associated with the O scale model trains. Sometimes it helps to visualize the scale and it this case 1/48 scale indicates that the O scale model trains and accessories are one forty-eighth the size of an actual train engine. When looking at model trains the term “gauge” is important and refers to the distance between tracks and for O scale model trains there is a distance of 1 and 1/4 inches between rails. The larger size trains with larger tracks such as the O scale track with a gauge of 1.25 is usualy the only model train used outdoors. Large trains have taken off wildly in America and can be a lot of fun, however, most people don’t have the space or money and start of with and develop scale model trains of a smaller size.

If you are looking for a smaller size train, you might be interested in the HO scale model trains because they are about one half the size of the O scale. A good way to visualize and remember what HO trains are is to consider their size, HO scale model trains are 1/2 the size of O trains. The scale model size of an HO scale model train is 1:87 and you can think of it this way, 1 in on the model train would equal 87 inches on a real train. One more number you need to know for your HO scale model train is it’s track gauge and it is 16.5 mm between rails of the track. The smaller size of the HO model train makes it easy to create some elaborate layouts in small spaces. Another unique feature of HO trains is that you can find models with extreme details that are shockinly real, they become real collectors items, however, don’t fret if your budget is small because you can pick up a “plain Jane” layout for a very small investment. Children are always an issue when it comes to model trains and you don’t want them to miss out on the fun, however, children under 5 can watch but not touch with HO model trains and those over 5 can be taught how to handle and operate the train, of course the younger ones will need some supervision! In regards to size, HO scale model trains are right in the middle and have become a very popular model train in the United States, consequently you will find no lack of  HO model train supplies for just about any setup imaginable.

HO model train car image

HO scale model trains got their start in England around 1930. During this time the 00 scale was the hot train of the time, anyone who was into model trains had a 00 scale train when some entrepeneur came up with a competitor called the HO scale train. The HO  model train had a hard time taking off because the OO scale was so entrenched in the model train hobby in Britian. Someone brought some HO scale model trains into the United States around the 1950’s and the high degree of detail in the HO model trains really took off in the US and by 1960 the HO model train market took off like a market and became established as an accepted scale and line of model trains in the United States. Today you can find research that seems to indicate that HO scale model trains are desired and used by 2/3 of today’s model train enthusiasts.

One of the benefits of being part of such a large market is that you can find a wide diversity of HO model trains and accessories to find just about any need and any price point. I always try to implore people to support local businesses and when looking for HO scale model trains I would encourage you to visit your local hobby store, they could use the business and they will often times be a great and valuable resource when it comes to setting up your train and purchasing the right equipment. If the hobby store doesn’t have what you’re looking for ask them to order it, if they can’t then you’re still in luck because the interent has proven to be an invaluable source of HO model train equipement and supplies and you won’t be limited to your state or country but can purchase your HO supplies worldwide but, don’t forget to check out some of the auction sites like Ebay where you can find some awesome deals!

ho scale model train

HO scale model trains and accessories are available is such abundance that you’ll be able to put together just about any type of layout your heart desires, you’re only limited by your pocket book and your abilities, regardless, what you create will be a joy to show your friends and share with other fellow model train hobbyists. Operating a train or trains on a layout never loses it’s excitement while the chugging of the locomotive over the tresle will forever allow your imagination to soar. Don’t forget to do a local internet search or phone book search for local train clubs because this is the one place where you’ll find like minded people who are more than willing to share their knowledge of model trains and specifically HO scale model trains!

Free e-book for the HO model train enthusiast……  Sign-up for a free 11-part “Secrets to Successful Model Railroading” email course. Learn everything you need to know about setting up ultra cool HO scale model train layout that will bring joy to the life of yourself and your family for years to come! Learn more about HO trains, layouts and parts at the above links. Do you know the one thing every locomotive must have to attain full power? If not, the free class will tell you that and much more! When you decide which scale you want to use, set up your train, layout and scenery in 7 days by reading  “The Super Guide for Model Trains”

Anybody seriously involved in a hobby doesn’t think of their hobby parts as toys and its no less true with model trains, they are thought of works of art, pieces of equipment, tools or anything other than toys. Model trains are available in different “Scales” which is another way of saying “different sizes”. Scales are referred to by an alphabetical name. A letter Scale will translate to a ratio to understand the dimensions. There are a good handful of different scales that are manufactured but I suspect that the most common is the HO scale model trains.

Apparently HO scale model trains first showed up in the United Kingdom in the 1930’s. The HO scale was meant to be an alternative for the already existing OO scale. The minute the ho scale model train layouts were brought to America the became an overnight sensation. In the late 1950’s the thought of model trains as just toys diminished and they became known as famous as the realistic versions of a real live train but with a more complicated approach. In 1960 HO scale model trains started to overcome the O scale model trains in popularity. Many model train manufacturers jumped on the bandwagon and started to manufacture HO scale model trains.

HO scale model trains are about half the size of the O scale, consequently HO stands for half of zero or simply half-O. HO is also expressed as a ration of 1:87 which simply means 1/87th the size of an actual real life train. Another measurement is important, in HO scale model trains 3.5 millimeters equals 1 foot. HO scale model trains can be seen to be smaller and more fragile than O scale. The smaller size of HO scale model trains is exactly what attracts model train hobbyists because they can test their skills by adding a lot more details to the trains and the track layouts which ultimately results in a test of precision to those who really get into the HO setup and this is what really get’s some modelers turned on.

Currently, HO scale model trains have the largest market segment when compared to the other train scales. HO scale trains are manufactured by a large amount of companies and are found widely in the market. HO scale model trains have withstood the test of time and established itself as a model train scale leader, used by many, over many years, it’s sure to be here a long time but it’s future will only be told by a continued model train market, trains won’t go away but styles, shapes and sizes will come and go!

Model Train Scale is an important concept to the model train enthusiast when trying to understand model railroad trains and describes the relationship between the size of the model train to an actual real live locomotive. There are 4 typical or popular scales of model trains and you’ll hear them defined as G, O, HO, and N. The larger category of model trains are the G and O scale, the G-scale has a ratio of 1:22 and the O-scale has a ratio of 1:48. These larger trains run on what is called a number 1 or No. 1 track. HO is about half the size of the O scale and has a ratio of 1:87. It’s easy to remember the approximate size of HO because H0 actually stands for “half an 0″. Next up is the N scale model trains set which is again about 1/2 the size smaller than the HO scale with a ratio of about 1:160. You’ll find fans of all these scales and they are situations where one scale is better than the other, so each will have it’s shining points. There are a couple of less known scales and they aren’t used a lot, that would be the S scale, the TT scale and the Z scale. Briefly the S scale’s ratio is 1:64th. The scale of TT is a little bigger than the N scale with a ratio of 1:120th. Finally the Z scale is even smaller than the already small N scale with a scale ratio of 1:220th.

Model Train Scale has it’s place when talking about model railroad trains and knowing what the scales are will help you determine how you want to setup your life like model trains setup. It’s helpful to go to your local hobby shop and take a look at the actual trains. I’ll give you a little hint. Make a cheat sheet out of the information in the above paragraph and take it to the hobby shop and compare the model train scales to the actual models. One more thing will help you to understand model train scales, take a digital camera, ask to hobby store owner if you can take some photos of each of the different models and scales. It’s a great way to understand model railroad trains scales!