*I do not own the rights to the above image.*
Model railroading is about just that: scale modeling.
Scales
Scale applies to any type of modeling: cars, planes, boats, buildings, and trains. The dictionary definition of scale is "a ratio of size in a map, model, drawing, or plan." If the scale was 1:10, you would have to make your model 10 times larger to match the 1:1 model. Each scale has a name in modeling. In order of descending size, here are the most common scales: G - 1:22, O - 1:43.5, HO - 1:87.1 (the most popular), N - 1:160 (the second most popular), and Z - 1:220. Other scales recognized by the NMRA include: S - 1:164, OO (the most popular in Britain, slightly larger than HO scale) - 1:76, and TT - 1:120. |
Highlights:The dictionary definition of scale is "a ratio of size in a map, model, drawing, or plan."
In order of descending size, here are the most common scales: G - 1:22, O - 1:43.5, HO - 1:87.1 (the most popular), N - 1:160 (the second most popular), and Z - 1:220.
Gauge is the distance between the rails.
Standard gauge in the US is 4 foot 8 1/2 inches, so the HO distance is 16.5 mm.
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If you are getting back in to the hobby from a long time ago, you might have used and/or heard of 0-27 trains. Th NMRA defines 0-27 like this:
"The trains that we commonly refer to as 'Tinplate', 'Hi-Rail' or 'Scaleplate' run on track that doesn't scale out to the real thing for the size of the trains. Many times, the train cars and locomotives are shortened versions of scale."
So scale is simple. But what about gauge?
Gauges
So what are gauges? The terms gauge and scale are often used interchangeably, but that is an improper use of the terms.
Gauge is the distance between the rails. So if someone says "HO gauge," they (ideally) mean standard gauge at 1/87 of the full size standard gauge. (Standard gauge in the US is 4 foot 8 1/2 inches, so the HO distance is 16.5 mm.)
However, narrow gauge is a factor as well. Some railroads in the mountains used narrow gauge, like the Rio Grande.
This is what the NMRA has to say about narrow gauge:
"HOn3 means HO scale, narrow gauge, 3' between the rails. HOn2 would be HO scale, narrow gauge, 2' between the rails. HOn30 is a little different as that is HO scale, narrow gauge, 30 inches between the rails."
This photo shows dual gauge track. It can be used by trains in standard and narrow gauge.
"The trains that we commonly refer to as 'Tinplate', 'Hi-Rail' or 'Scaleplate' run on track that doesn't scale out to the real thing for the size of the trains. Many times, the train cars and locomotives are shortened versions of scale."
So scale is simple. But what about gauge?
Gauges
So what are gauges? The terms gauge and scale are often used interchangeably, but that is an improper use of the terms.
Gauge is the distance between the rails. So if someone says "HO gauge," they (ideally) mean standard gauge at 1/87 of the full size standard gauge. (Standard gauge in the US is 4 foot 8 1/2 inches, so the HO distance is 16.5 mm.)
However, narrow gauge is a factor as well. Some railroads in the mountains used narrow gauge, like the Rio Grande.
This is what the NMRA has to say about narrow gauge:
"HOn3 means HO scale, narrow gauge, 3' between the rails. HOn2 would be HO scale, narrow gauge, 2' between the rails. HOn30 is a little different as that is HO scale, narrow gauge, 30 inches between the rails."
This photo shows dual gauge track. It can be used by trains in standard and narrow gauge.