| Some model railroad lovers may prefer a train that is | | | | which are "space-conscious". |
| part of the garden landscape, while others may simply | | | | HO scale trains were first seen in the 1930s in the UK, |
| use larger spaces indoors to create complex tracks, | | | | originally an alternative to OO scales. However, UK |
| or overwhelming sceneries around the tracks. To | | | | model train makers and hobbyists already recognized |
| make model railroad enthusiasts completely happy, | | | | OO as scale, so HO did not really market well. |
| model trains are created in a variety of sizes, each | | | | Sometime during the late 1950's, some train enthusiasts |
| having a purpose and a prototype. | | | | in the US felt the need for more realistic scales, which |
| When referring to train sizes, the term "scale" would | | | | put the spotlight on HO models. More than 50% of train |
| always come to play. Since model trains are created | | | | lovers say their favorite scale is the HO. |
| based on real life original trains, their sizes have to be in | | | | The HO scale became so famous, that several |
| the form of a ratio, that is, the ratio between the | | | | companies thought they could easily make money by |
| replica and the original. There are 4 popular scales, but | | | | producing HO locomotives, accessories and rolling |
| along the bigger ones, the most popular would be the | | | | stock. Today, there are ready-to-run HO Model Trains, |
| scale O. The scale O measures 1:48, which means | | | | HO craftsman kits, and even start-from-scratch HO |
| that the train is just 48 times smaller than the original, | | | | supplies. There are even high-end HO models and |
| real-life train. Because of its size, it is perfect for | | | | supplies created from brass. They are widely available, |
| outdoor settings, such as gardens. However, others | | | | and each product is more competitive than the last. |
| may prefer it indoors. To each his own, after all. | | | | These makers seem to stop at nothing to create the |
| HO stands for "half of O", because the HO scale | | | | best HO supplies, which then sends hobbyists into a |
| measures 1:87. HO Model Trains still fit the standard | | | | shopping frenzy for anything and everything to perfect |
| gauge which is 16.5mm. Gauge is simply the distance | | | | their model train layout their layout. |
| between rails. HO is one of the most popular layout | | | | Riding a train makes you see all the beautiful sceneries, |
| choices for model train enthusiasts. They are not too | | | | the rolling hills, the quaint town, all from the train's |
| demanding of space, nor are they too small to be | | | | window. However, creating a landscape for your HO |
| crowded around by scenery. HO Model Trains are | | | | scale train is like seeing every detail of the landscape |
| great for children to play with, because their size | | | | from above. The best part is, you actually get to sculpt |
| doesn't make them too fragile. HO scale trains are the | | | | and mold the scenery around your tracks. If you are |
| balance between larger and smaller scale trains. | | | | looking to expressing your love of creative sceneries, |
| Because of their size, they offer spontaneity and | | | | as if you had the hand of God, the HO scale trains are |
| versatility in designing backdrops, sceneries. They also | | | | a great way to start. |
| provide to ease in creating simple or complex tracks | | | | |