Bachmann Trains & Accessories

N Scale E z Track
N Scale E z Track

Model Train Scale Demystified

Scale and gauge. HO ’scale.’ HO ‘gauge.’ Track ‘gauge.’ Whats it all about? Model train scales and gauges can be confusing, mainly since they get mixed up, used inaccurately and interchangeably. To be able to distinguish between the two, keep on reading.

Scale

I like to begin with scale, since that’s trickier. The scale of the model is the ratio between the size of the model and the size of the prototype, in this case, the real-life train or locomotive.

Our model railroad is a smaller version of a real railroad. How did the manufacturer know how to size everything? They “scaled it down!” How much? Well, that depends. Let’s say your model railroad is using the popular HO scale. Then your trains are 1/87th the size of the prototpye. That is, for every foot of your track, you are modeling 87 feet of railroad. A fifty foot locomotive prototype would be just under seven inches long!

The scale tells us the ratio of the size of prototype to the size of our model. With model trains, scales are denoted by letters or a combination of letters, such as ‘G’, ‘O’, ‘HO’ and so on.

Gauge

You may have heard or read of HO ‘gauge.’ Gauge and scale, in model railroading, are only loosely related. Gauge is the distance between the tracks of the railroad. Prototype railroads have various gauges, you may have heard of ‘narrow gauge’ railroads.

Originally, the ratio of the models track gauge to the prototype gauge was used as the resulting scale of the model trains.

About 60% of the world uses Standard gauge track, which is 4 feet 8 ½ inches (1,435mm). Narrow gauge is smaller than this, and “broad gauge” are obviously wider.

Model train scales began to be standardized after World War 2, when producers wanted to make sure that their model trains were compatible across different track manufacturers. Track gauges were the most basic area to be standardized. The NMRA in the US, and the MOROP in Europe now keep all standards for model railways.

There are alternative standards to what are published by the NMRA and MOROP, these are called finescale standards. These standards are for the most critical of hobbyists, who want to maintain exact proportions to the prototypes, and are generally hand built.

I hope this brief explanation and overveiw have cut through the confusion about scale and gauge, and given you a taste of why they have evolved into what they are. Now, go on out there and have some fun with your trains!

About the Author

Scott Watkins is a model train enthusiast, committed to helping others get started in this exciting hobby. There’s more information about model train scale, and a free mini-course on getting started at his website. Check it out today at Model-Train-Info.com.

EZ way to ballest UNITACK N-scale