Model Train Scale Tips: A Beginners Guide
Model train scales are a measurement of how large the train is
, compared to the real thing. For beginners this can be the most confusing part of this hobby, and often the mistakenly mix up scale for gauge.
While this is a common misunderstanding, many train buffs will get quite angry if you mix up the two. Gauge is the distance between the rails on a track, not size.
First for the facts about model train scales. It is measured like this.
First thing you will notice when looking at a model train scales is a letter. Here are the most common lettering system, in order from largest to smallest.
While there are some others that can be larger or smaller, they are hard to find and some smaller sizes are difficult to work with, especially if you have large hands, or have arthritis. HO is probably the easiest to work with, find parts and accessories easily, and is one of the most common train scales.
In order from largest is G scale. These trains are 1:24, meaning they are only one twenty-fourth the size of a real train.
While you may think of these trains as the ones you may have seen circling a tree at Christmas time, they are larger than that. You would most often find this scale in a outside setting, intermingled in a garden or landscaping scene.
They are made to be rugged and durable and will take the stress of weather fairly well. The size commonly associated with Christmas trains are the 'O' model train scales, which are 1:48, meaning that they are 1 48th the size of a real train.
You mostly see these in the hands of smaller children, because of their size, they are easily handled by small ones. You will probably not see many of these train layouts indoors, because of the space they use.
HO is as mentioned earlier, the most common used and easily found. HO scale is 1:87, which is small enough to handle well, performs the best and is large enough to show case very well.
You will see these model train scales in most layouts, because of the accessibility of parts and miniatures that are available. This train size is ideal for the beginner, because it has many basic sets, and can be expanded as the user becomes more experienced.
The next two are N, which stands for nine, which is the space between the tracks for this model, 9mm. This scale is 1:160, and is small enough to display in a bedroom, or a garage setting.
Z scale is the smallest, 1:220, and a whole basic layout for this size can fit on a office or home desk top. However, this size is not advised for children of people with vision problems, etc. because it's so small.
Again gauge is the measured distance between the track, and there are many different gauges. Usually when you buy a set, you really don't have to worry about this, since the train and tracks always match.
When you are buying extra track, then you need to know what the gauge is, so you won't buy tracks that are too wide or narrow to match with the ones you have. With this information about model train scales, it should help you figure out which model trains are going to be right for you.
by: Clint Spille
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