HO Scale Model Trains
HO Scale Model Trains
Pop quiz: what’s the most popular scale of train these days? Yeah, okay, this would have been a lot more challenging if I hadn’t introduced it with the title “HO Scale Model Trains”, huh? Yeah, but that’s right. HO scale model trains are the biggest sellers these days. It wasn’t always this way. I checked out this 1950s model railroading handbook from the library the other day and it identified the slightly larger Lionel O-scale trains (1/48 the size of actual trains) as the most popular. But in the past 60 years HO scale has completely overtaken the O scale as the most bought form of model train. So O-scale might be called your grand daddies model train, while HO is yours. What’s so great about HO scale model trains?
Four HO Scale Boxcars
If you’re just getting started HO Scale Model Trains are moderately sized and moderately priced model trains are probably your best bet. Here’s why:
-
HO Scale Model Trains are the most popular: Because HO scale trains are the most popular, they have a lot of advantages over other larger and smaller scales. HO scale model trains are ubiquitous because of their popularity. So there are lots of choices for starter kits, scenery, tool kits and instructional manuals. In fact, if we start with HO scale model trains our problem is going to be sorting through the plethora of model train choices rather than chasing down a particular rare model. Just about every model train maker has ventured into HO model trains. Even model train houses like Lionel (who specializes in O-scale trains) will offer an HO train every so often. So if you’re looking for, say, a Thomas the Tank Engine style train for your little Sodor obsessed toddler, you’ll find various kits by various makers and your problem will be finding the best one at the best price. The very fact that there is so much competition at this scale means that train kits must be reasonably priced or model trainers will just buy from someone else.
-
HO Scale Model Trains give you the most flexibility in terms of space and variety: Another advantage of HO scale model trains is that its size (1/87 the size of actual trains) makes it much more flexible in terms of space requirements. Whereas large model train types like the O-scale by Lionel require a minimum 8’ by 16’ space to set up a basic track, HO scale model trains require only a 4’ x 8’ space (there are also some tricks with track types that make it possible to even get around even these space requirements). That means that HO takes up roughly ½ to 1/3 of the space required for a Lionel track setup. This has opened up model training to far greater number of enthusiasts and has also made it so that the average person can have far more complicated tracks.
-
HO Scale Model Trains are the standard: Because they have become so popular, they are the standard that instructional books and websites use to help beginners. This means that if you’re just getting started, like we are, it’s a lot easier for us to do it with HO scale model trains. Lot’s of websites will walk us right through setting up a basic figure 8 style track plan in a 4’ x 8’ space. So we can’t really go wrong with HO scale.
HO Scale Tank Car and Boxcar
What’s the draw back of HO Scale Model Trains?:
-
HO Scale Model Trains are the most common: Like Microsoft and Google, when you become the industry standard you become a victim of your own success. Yeah, that’s right, getting an HO set is like buying vanilla ice cream—it’s yummy but you’re not going to impress your friends with it. Since everybody pretty much gets started with HO scale these days, if you really want to stand out you have something different. You might, for example, opt to go with one of the other size scales, like the tiny N scale or relatively humungous O or G scales. Or you have to do something unusual with your HO scale like set up an elaborate track or populate it with vintage antique model trains from the 1950’s.
But there is a reason why HO scale is so popular. This might just be the ideal train scale to get us going!
