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MODEL RAILROAD SCALES |
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This is a
small list of the model railroad scales which
are available today. Scale represents the proportion of the
size of the model to the real thing. Scale is often spoken of as a ratio. For
example, a real locomotive would be 1:1. HO scale is 1:87. This means that
an HO locomotive is about 1/87th the size of a real one. You would need 87 HO
locomotives lined up to equal the length of a real locomotive of
exactly that same type! Remember, something often confused with scale
is gauge. Gauge represents the distance between the inside of the two
rails. Typically HO scale trains run on HO
gauge track. But they could run on N gauge track -- if they represented narrow
gauge equipment. Model people and buildings would be the same size but the distance between the
rails would be smaller. Trains built to run on G gauge track come in different
scales. In other words: they are slightly larger or smaller in size but the distance
between the rails is the same. Here just a few of the most
common scales: |
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Scale |
Ratio
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Description
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Z
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1:220
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Very small size, not
recommended for small children |
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N
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1:160
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Second
most common scale, good for small area's. |
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TT
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1:120
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Table Top - not very
common. |
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HO
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1:87
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“H Zero” is technically correct, but pronounced “H - OH”.
Most common scale. Derived from Half “O” scale |
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S
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1:64
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O
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1:48
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Pronounced “Oh”, but technically “Zero” 1.25” gauge |
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1
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1:32
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Original 1.75” gauge,
which is now obsolete. Presently
45mm |
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2
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-
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Obsolete |
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Half
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1:24
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-
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G
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1:22
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Commonly referred to as “G Scale”, designed to run on
gauge 1 (45mm) |
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Standard
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-
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2 1/8” gauge, Lionel, American Flyer and
others |
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As you
can see in the highlighted area, my personal
preference is HO. Most items in my
collection are in this scale. Although I have
some pieces in scale 1. Just could not resist.
If I had the availability of unlimited space,
this would actually be my preferred scale. |
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