What are the Different Model Train Scales?
Model trains come in a variety of sizes, or scales, from the very small model train to the larger garden railway variety. Though their sizes were originally described as their “gauge,” scale is now the accepted term. Deciding on a model train scale is really a matter of personal preference, experience, and budget. There are numerous variations of model train scales, but there are five that are the most common, making them the easiest to find. The simplest definition of a model train scale is the relevance of the reduced size to the original train being replicated.
Model trains come in a variety of sizes, or scales, from the very small model train to the larger garden railway variety. Though their sizes were originally described as their “gauge,” scale is now the accepted term. Deciding on a model train scale is really a matter of personal preference, experience, and budget. There are numerous variations of model train scales, but there are five that are the most common, making them the easiest to find. The simplest definition of a model train scale is the relevance of the reduced size to the original train being replicated. The most common model train scale is HO. HO model trains have an approximate ratio to the original train of 1:87. Variations of the HO model train scale include narrower versions of the same scale, which means the trains are the same scale, but with less space between the tracks’ rails. The HO model train scale is probably the easiest to find and the easiest to accessorize because many hobbyists use it. It is not so small tha
