| Model trains come in many sizes. Some can reach | | | | point for you since they are one of the most |
| lengths of up to two feet. Some are even smaller | | | | popular scales. This popularity has led to many |
| than your finger. But how do you know what the | | | | modeled prototypes in this scale. If you decide to |
| right size of model train you should get? | | | | go with HO, you'll have a lot of choices for your |
| To start off, train sizes are measured in scale. | | | | modeling needs. They still however require some |
| Scale is the relative measurement of a model to | | | | investment in terms of space. At even at half the |
| the actual thing it is modeled after or its | | | | size of their larger brothers, these models can still |
| prototype. In model trains, a standard set of | | | | eat up sizable chunks of your rooms. |
| scales is used, each scale represented by a letter. | | | | Smaller scales are of course the friendliest in |
| The O scale train for example corresponds to a | | | | terms of real estate considerations. Arguably the |
| scale of 1:48, or an O scale model will be 1/48th | | | | most popular small scale model is the N scale. At |
| the size of the actual train its prototype. That | | | | 1:160, almost half the size of the HOs, these are |
| means every measurement of the prototype is | | | | extremely efficient models in terms of space. |
| divided by 48 to get the measurement of the | | | | They are actually known to be even more |
| model. If a real train is about 48 feet long (not a | | | | detailed as far as realism is concerned, often |
| real example but you get the idea) the O scale | | | | modeling their prototypes more closely than the |
| model would be 1 foot long. | | | | larger models. This is due to the fact that these |
| There are of course the big trains. G scale trains | | | | scale models were introduced later, when the |
| are one of the biggest. They have a scale of 1:22 | | | | world of model railroading was becoming less of a |
| (or 1:20 for most American G scale trains). O | | | | children's activity to a more serious hobby. |
| scale models are half the size of the G scale | | | | Other scales do exist, although their popularity is |
| counterparts, having the numerical scale of 1:48. | | | | not as great. The S scale for example is slightly |
| These models are two of the most popular of | | | | smaller than the O scale but larger than the HO |
| the large scale models and will probably be your | | | | scale, at 1:64. There are even larger scale models, |
| first choice if you are looking for something big. | | | | up to 1:12 which are almost as big as the train |
| However, they do come with certain | | | | rides in parks. There are also extremely small |
| considerations. Their size makes modeling for | | | | ones like the Z scale, which reaches about 1:220, |
| them rather expensive in terms of real estate. | | | | or the newer T scale, which reaches a mind |
| Since the locomotives are already big, everything | | | | boggling 1:450! At this size, you can hold an entire |
| else will also be big. Imagine building scenery for | | | | train set in just one hand! |
| locomotives this big... you'd need something like a | | | | At the end of the day though, you have to |
| whole yard! In fact some G models have become | | | | remember that there is no one true good scale. |
| known as garden models because they can only | | | | They're all good! People love them for different |
| be used in garden sized tracks. | | | | reasons and will continue to build them for their |
| HO scales are in the middle. They are quite literally | | | | enjoyment. So whatever the scale you end up |
| half the o scale at 1:87, hence their names. They | | | | choosing, as long as you enjoy modeling them, |
| are usually a good balance between size and | | | | they will always be right for you. |
| functionality. This can also be a good start off | | | | |