What is HI-Rail?
As with any hobby, some people are more purists than others. HI-Rail refers to the fact that Lionel O Gauge trains are not true to scale. Basing the O Gauge at 1/48 scale, and knowing the actual Lionel track is 1/4″ high, you could discern that in full size, the Lionel track would be one foot high! Similar measurements of track width, wheel flanges, as well as the rail bed ties, would show similar disproportions. It is believed that Lionel knew full well of these irregularities when they first designed the equipment. But, for reasons of durability, ease of use, and the fact that miniaturization was not so easily manufactured back then, Lionel accepted these abnormalities. Some will refer to all toy trains as HI-Rail regardless of the track scale height.
