RAILforum: List of actual model railroad scales.

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Posted by d_lewsader (Member # 258) on :

I have been collecting Model Trains for years and now I'm in the mood to build a extremely large layout (since all the Kids are gone).

I've been collecting HO gauge, but the question that I have is, what are the actual scales out there for all the model trains available.

I want to thank anyone who can provide me with the information that I am requesting.

Respectfully Yours,

Dale D. Lewsader
4068 County Road #341
Westcliffe, Colorado 81252

d_lewsader@hotmail.com

Posted by jcater (Member # 31) on :

Wow!! Do I long for the day when I can Build My "dream" railroad. Right now the layouts have mainly been for the kids....
I am not sure how many different scales you have, but, starting from the smallest and working up the scales are:

Z = 1:220; one actual foot measures 1.4 mm; track guage is 6.5 mm and the length of a scale mile is 24 feet

N = 1:160; one actual foot measures 1.9 mm; track guage is 9.0 mm and a scale mile is 33 feet

HO = 1:87; one actual foot equals 3.5 mm; track guage is 16.5 mm and a scale mile is 60 feet 7 1/2 inches

S = 1:64 one actual foot equals 3/16 inch; track guage is 7/8 inch and a scale mile is 82 feet 6 inches

O = 1:48; one actual foot measures 1/4 inch; track guage is 1 1/4 inch and the length of a scale mile is 110 feet

Gn3 = 1:22.5; one actual foot measures 12.5 mm; track guage is 1 3/4 inch (No. 1) and the length of a scale mile is 248 feet 8 inches

Hope this helps out!! Good luck and Happy Modeling!!
John

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The Santa Fe and Southwestern, Chief of the Southwest!

Posted by millcstl (Member # 60) on :

John is pretty much on the money with the scales that he listed. These are the most comercially available scales in the US. However, for the sake of information there are several other scales used throughout the world of Model RR's.

TT (US)= 120:1 2.54mm/ft
TT (UK)= 101:1 3mm/ft
EEM = 76:1 4mm/ft
OO (same as EEM)

As I mentioned these scales are not commonly available in the US but they are out there.
For the number of products available, HO is the most popular in the US followed closely by N scale(which stands for "Not if you Need glasses"), and then I think G (translated "Great amounts of money required")scale has taken over third position from O scale in popularity.
Remember the Rio Grande!
Scott

Posted by jcater (Member # 31) on :

Scott is quite right about the other scales, which are of course more popular in Europe etc. Now that I am building in N again I can truely say that I think I need to get my eyes checked....not as good as they were the last time I was in N

!! Happy Modeling!!
John

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The Santa Fe and Southwestern, Chief of the Southwest!

Posted by d_lewsader (Member # 258) on :

Hello Again

Yes! It's that New Kid on the Block or should I say New Kid on the Track?

Anyway, I want to thank you all for the information and the speed that I receive it.

For your information, I like the Railroads that you mention but in this order:

01. Santa Fe (passenger service)
02. Pennsy (frieght service)
03. Denver Rio Grande

The best Stream Trip is Tolec and Chama R.R.!
Do not ride this Train unless you want to feel that you are living in 1888! A true time warp!!!!!!!!!!!!

Respectfully Yours,

Dale D. Lewsader "LEW"
4068 County Road #341
Westclife, CO. 81252

E-Mail d_lewsader@hotmail.com

Posted by Tom H (Member # 53) on :

00 Guage was popular in the late 40's and 50's. So much so, that one of the best steam locos was the Lionel (Yes, the toy train maker!) NYC Hudson. Also American Beauty Lines made some of the BEST passenger cars I have ever seen.
Lionel also made an F3 - in both NYC & ATSF paint schemes.

Tom Herlihy
Spring Lake RR (HO - when I get a place to put it).

[This message has been edited by Tom H (edited 11-30-2000).]