UNITED STATES, Aug 27 — If you are new to the fascinating world of replica trains the terms model train scale and gauge may be confusing, at times they almost seem interchangeable. What follows though, is a simplified explanation of replica trains and their scales and gauges (referring to track size) to help unravel this confusing terminology.
Model trains can lead a child to explore the outermost realms of fantasy or experience the lumbering behemoths of the past, or they can provide a creative outlet for the adult.
The 0 Scale
The 0 Scale is most frequently considered a toy train scale and was popularized by the toymaker Lionel
I
f you are new to the fascinating world of replica trains the terms model train scale and gauge may be confusing, at times they almost seem interchangeable. What follows though, is a simplified explanation of replica trains and their scales and gauges (referring to track size) to help unravel this confusing terminology.
model trains can lead a child to explore the outermost realms of fantasy or experience the lumbering behemoths of the past, or they can provide a creative outlet for the adult. Part of the allure of these beautiful replicas is that these monster machines are miniaturized to sizes that can fit into a playroom, hobby room or garden area. To that end, certain standards called scales are used to recreate the locomotives as realistically as possible but with a much smaller size.
Gauges for replicas refer to the track and the distances separating the load bearing rails. On models, these of course are much smaller and correlate to the scale of the real train. It is impossible to detail every single model train scale because in the beginning each manufacturer and modeler followed their own ideas, only in the last 100 or so years have model scales been more standardized in part due to the efforts of a dedicated few enthusiasts and a major toy train manufacturer. However, what follows are some of the most popular model train scale sizes in use.
HO Scale
This scale is the most popular scale right now in the English-speaking world including the UK. The exact details of the HO scale are that .14 equates to 1 foot of the real train. This shrinks the replica to a size that will allow for detailing of the train itself and yet fit within a room easily. This appeals to both the detail oriented artisan and modeler, as well as the hobbyist who is limited in space. However there is still a lot of disparity in sizing between manufacturers in Europe and the scales may not be precisely .14 to 1 ft even when labeled HO.
N Scale
The N Scale model trains are one of the more popular very small-scale model sizes. The N scale miniaturizes the trains at a scale of 1:148, which means that 148 inches of the train are scaled down to 1” on the model. These tiny replicas are great for modelers who want to create complex railway layouts and scenes but do not have the space to dedicate. On the other hand, the trade off is that these tiny trains will display less detail than larger models due to their reduced sizes and they are more costly than the HO models though less expensive than the G scale (often used for outdoor gardens).
G Scale
In popular terminology the G scale model is also known as the garden scale model (though it is not the official term) and these are usually made for outdoor displays. They allow for fine details in the scenery and the model trains but are generally too large for indoor displays. The most popular maker of this scale of replica trains is LGB known as the Lehmann Gross Bahn. The exact scale varies from European to North American manufacturers. Generally, in Europe the G scale is 1:22.5 while in North America it is 1:20.3. Though the difference might seem small, they can become magnified when working with a garden sized layout and consistency should apply throughout the layout.
The 0 Scale
The 0 Scale is most frequently considered a toy train scale and was popularized by the toymaker Lionel. Some modelers however use a 0-scale train size and run it on a replica track.
Communicate directly with Tom Coulter, the author of this article. Ask questions, send suggestions, comments, engage in conversation, or perhaps you would like to submit a project.
Click Here to ask a question, send a comment, or proposal.
India has always been known across the globe owing to its high quality textile products, cotton, polyester, silk and other natural fiber. Presently, Indian Weaving Industry, one of the important segment of Textile Industry is at the brink of a revolu
Scrapbooking is one hobby that is worth taking up by anyone. Seeing captured memories in beautiful print is nothing but fulfilling and a very rewarding experience for most scrappers. If you are like many other who want to get your hands on scrapbooki
If you are like the many scrapbook enthusiast out there, you probably have accumulated quite a number of scrapbook supplies through the years. Scrapbooking is a time consuming task. Most of the time, when scrap bookers are done for the day, personali
Everyone has a hobby, and everyone wants to make money. This is a bold statement, but most people are probably in the above category. With unemployment reaching absurd levels, many people are scratching their head asking “Ho
When we speak of bone china, does it ever raise the question, however fleetingly, I wonder if this cup I’m drinking from actually has bones in it? The short answer is yes. But we can’t leave it there, so on to the long answer
Let’s take a look at some step by step tutorials and techniques I use to paint people, specifically focusing on the eyes with acrylic paint. This lesson is about painting and does not cover drawing skills or address proportion to a great extent. If y
When we talk about gaming in the computer world, there are many of those. New ones come out all the time adding to the library of already available millions. All these games are of different types and the genre of games defines it’s audience. N
There are many different types of canvas for painting. Canvas material is usually either made of cotton or linen; both varieties have different characteristics which will be explored in this article. Additionally, canvas supports come ready for paint
The origins of glassmaking in Venice go back to the times of the Roman Empire when molded glass was used for illumination in bathhouses. Blending Roman experience with the skills learned from the Byzantine Empire and trade with the Orient, Venice eme
Let aging photos not fade your favorite memories. It could be your favorite old photo that got damaged, aged or simply the acid content in the paper, a photo that got stuck to the frame, exposure to elements, fading, a playful kid (or grown up), phys
One of the most confusing terms to new railroad modelers is the term N gauge model railroads. Though the gauge usually refers to the distance between the rails of a real and model train, the term N gauge often can be seen used interchangeably with N
If you are new to the fascinating world of replica trains the terms model train scale and gauge may be confusing, at times they almost seem interchangeable. What follows though, is a simplified explanation of replica trains and their scales and gauge
From the very first model railway trains a boy or girl receives, the potential for enjoyment of this fascinating toy grows. Even though children today are very much the product of a digital age, with video games and electronic toys flooding the marke
Uncover the real facts about model train scenery, should you settle for pre-made pieces or try to make your own? Many model train enthusiasts believe it is just too hard or you need special materials to construct your own scenery when actually it is
For the most passionate hobbyist, model steam trains are not just a hobby, instead they are works of art, and may take years to handcraft each part and make each piece in the scenery. On the other hand, for the beginning or intermediate modeler, mode
Syndication
tweet
PDF version
Printable version
Publisher HTML version
Discussions (0)
Email Article
Post New Comment