Close Menu
NERDBOT
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram YouTube
    Subscribe
    NERDBOT
    • News
      • Reviews
    • Movies & TV
    • Comics
    • Gaming
    • Collectibles
    • Science & Tech
    • Culture
    • Nerd Voices
    • About Us
      • Join the Team at Nerdbot
    NERDBOT
    Home»Nerd Voices»NV Toys and Hobbies»What Scales Are Important For Model Railroading? Answered!
    Unsplash
    NV Toys and Hobbies

    What Scales Are Important For Model Railroading? Answered!

    Nerd VoicesBy Nerd VoicesOctober 12, 20224 Mins Read
    Share
    Facebook Twitter Pinterest Reddit WhatsApp Email

    Model railroad enthusiasts use different scales and gauges for their craft but for beginners, who plan to build their first railroad, deciding on the proper scale to use is not that simple. If you have little knowledge about scales, you may not even know what scales mean and the different options available.

    For starters, scale refers to a model train’s size in proportion to a real train. The gauge is simply the distance between your train rails, which is 4ft, and an 8 ½ inch size between the rails. When building model rails, you need to take the measurements seriously, and the scales you choose will play a major role in the success or failure of your project.

    Here are some of the most important scales used for model railroading.

    Model Railroading Scales You Need To Know

    G Scale

    The G scale is one of the most important and commonly used scale for model rails. This scale had a 1:22.5 size and runs on a 1.75 gauge. It remains the largest scale in use and is ideal for expansive areas like gardens and roomy indoor spaces. The G scale is a favorite of children because they are rugged and durable. Some of the most popular scale manufacturers offer them for scale, with common examples being Bachmann, Lionel Large Scale, and USA Trains.

    O Scale

    Have you heard of the O scale? It is a 1:48 scale with a running 1.25-inch gauge. This scale is a large one with intricate detailing and precision width. If you plan to build a tabletop layouts or want your railroad to run around a Xmas tree, this is the best option to go for. The first O scale was made by Lionel in 1900, making the t the oldest model train scale ever made. 

    HO Scale

    Another important scale you will find among the collection of many railroad model enthusiasts is the HO Scale which is only half of the O scale. The HO scale is 1:87 with a running .625 gauge inches. It is perfect for hobbyists who wish to build their own layouts but lack abundant space for them. Many well-known manufacturers make their trains using HO because it gives them creative license to implement their design ideas and theme. The popular Thomas and Friends trains use the HO theme. Let us also add that this is the ideal scale for smaller trains.

    N Scale

    The N Scale model trains have 1.16 size and a running gauge of .375 inches. In terms of size, this is the smallest scale of the lot meant for extremely small trains. The beauty of N scale is that it allows builders to build large layouts in very tight spaces. Due to their small size, builders can make better use of their space, and they come in different varieties. You have the luxury of choosing a design that suits your ideas.

    S Scale

    Last but not least, the important scale to keep an eye on is the S scale. Commonly called the American Flyer, it is 1:64 and runs on a gauge of .883 inches. This scale is high-end and suited for intricate designs similar to real life trains.

    How To Know Which Scale Is Best For Your Model Railroad Project?

    Knowing the common railroad scales is not enough; you also need to know which train is best for your project. Here are some factors to consider when shopping for trains.

    Age

    The age of the user or who the railroad is for should be a major factor when making selections. For an older hobbyist, larger scales are best because they are easier to work with. If you are buying the train for your child, opt for a smaller one 

    Space

    Space is another thing to consider. The last thing you want is to build a railroad in a tight space. Bigger isn’t always better, so avoid the urge to go for larger scales if you don’t have room for it. Before you make a purchase decision, be sure of the model design you want and whether your available space will be enough. 

    Budget

    Always work with a budget when building your model railroad. The cost implications will depend on what you want to achieve with your designs. Since there are cheap and expensive models for every size, the choice is yours. There are 20-car trains and 8-car trains but let your decision reflect your design. 

    Goals

    Remember that model railroading is a hobby, so relish the building experience every step of the way. Your goal should be to have fun, learn and improve your creative skills. If you factor your budget, design goals, and available space into account, your model railroad will look as lovely as you hoped.

    Do You Want to Know More?

    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn WhatsApp Reddit Email
    Previous Article8 Best Teams to Select in FIFA 23
    Next Article Brendan Fraser is Open to a 4th “The Mummy” Movie!
    Nerd Voices

    Here at Nerdbot we are always looking for fresh takes on anything people love with a focus on television, comics, movies, animation, video games and more. If you feel passionate about something or love to be the person to get the word of nerd out to the public, we want to hear from you!

    Related Posts

    Warzone 3.0 Complete Player Guide: Dominating the Battle Royale in 2025

    June 15, 2025

    What Does a Call Answering Service Do?

    June 15, 2025

    Can Technology Like Sleep Rings Replace Traditional Sleep Studies?

    June 15, 2025

    Design Original Ink in Minutes with Genbaz’s AI Tattoo Generator

    June 15, 2025

    Hokijp168’s Game History: Trends That Repeat

    June 14, 2025

    Lights, Steel, Action: Cinema’s Quiet Re-Write of Los Angeles architecture 

    June 14, 2025
    • Latest
    • News
    • Movies
    • TV
    • Reviews

    Warzone 3.0 Complete Player Guide: Dominating the Battle Royale in 2025

    June 15, 2025

    What Does a Call Answering Service Do?

    June 15, 2025

    “King of the Hill” Revival Gets Father’s Day Clip

    June 15, 2025
    Mobile App Development

    Why Flutter is the Future of Mobile App Development for Startups

    June 15, 2025

    Jason Coming to Universal Studios Halloween Horror Nights

    June 13, 2025

    Car Branding Solutions: Do’s & Don’ts to Promote Business

    June 13, 2025

    APPLEJACK’S Caramel Apple by JOYGROUND COFFEE is a Sweet Treat All Year-Round

    June 12, 2025
    “Mufasa: The Lion King,” 2024

    Disney, Universal File Lawsuit Against Midjourney AI

    June 11, 2025

    Kathleen Kennedy on Future of “Star Wars” at BFI Screening

    June 14, 2025

    David Lynch’s Family Wants to Publish His Final Work

    June 13, 2025

    Robert Eggers to Adapt “A Christmas Carol,” Wants Willem Dafoe to Star

    June 12, 2025

    Mel Brooks, Bill Pullman, Rick Moranis Return for “Spaceballs: The Sequel”

    June 12, 2025

    “King of the Hill” Revival Gets Father’s Day Clip

    June 15, 2025

    What is BFDI (Battle for Dream Island)? An Interview With My Kid

    June 15, 2025

    Celine Song Developing Esports Drama Series “Damage” at HBO

    June 14, 2025

    Upcoming “Crystal Lake” Series Adds Three More to Cast

    June 13, 2025

    Car Branding Solutions: Do’s & Don’ts to Promote Business

    June 13, 2025

    APPLEJACK’S Caramel Apple by JOYGROUND COFFEE is a Sweet Treat All Year-Round

    June 12, 2025
    “From the World of John Wick: Ballerina,” 2025

    “Ballerina:” Ana De Armas Shines in Fun, Violent Return to the World of Wick [Review]

    June 4, 2025

    “The Life of Chuck” Joyous, Hopeful, Life Affirming [Review]

    June 1, 2025
    Check Out Our Latest
      • Product Reviews
      • Reviews
      • SDCC 2021
      • SDCC 2022
    Related Posts

    None found

    NERDBOT
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram YouTube
    Nerdbot is owned and operated by Nerds! If you have an idea for a story or a cool project send us a holler on [email protected]

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.