Popular Model Railroading Scales |
| Name: |
Proportion: |
Scale to Foot |
Track Gauge |
Minimum Radius* |
Length of a scale mile |
| Z |
1:220 |
1.4mm |
6.5mm |
5 3/4" |
24'-0" |
| N |
1:160 |
1.9mm |
99.0mm |
7 1/2" |
33'-0" |
| HO |
1:87 |
3.5mm |
16.5mm |
15" |
60'-7 1/2" |
| S |
1:64 |
3/16" |
7/8" |
22 1/2" |
82'-6" |
| O |
1:48 |
1/4" |
1 1/4" |
23" |
110'-0" |
| Gn3 |
1:22.5 |
12.5mm |
1 3/4" (no. 1) |
23 5/8" |
234'-8" |
*Based on smallest radius sectional track available |
What is Scale and Gauge?
Choosing a size is the first step to model railroading fun.
Scale model railroad cars and locomotives run the gamut in size, from
those that will rest on your forefinger to some you can actually mount
and ride. Deciding on scale will depend on your preference, of course,
but also on your budget, available space, and modeling skills.
However, don’t let space skew your judgment. It is possible to have small
layouts in some of the more popular larger scales.
Scale, plain and simple, refers to the proportion of the model in comparison
with the real thing. So when we say HO ("aitch oh") scale is 1:87,
we are saying an HO model is 87 times smaller than what you would find on a real
railroad. (Or meaning 1 foot on the model represents 87 actual feet)
Gauge refers to the width of the track, measured between the railheads.
In model railroading if the scale is solely listed by its letter designation
(N, HO or O) you can assume the model track is standard gauge. So the width of
standard Ho track is 1/87th the width of real track and N scale is 1/160th." (Basic
Model Railroading, Kalmbach Books©)
Narrow gauge rail has the rail closer together than standard gauge
track. The White Pass and Yukon Route is such a railroad; the formidable
geographical area
of White Pass restrained the founders of the WP&YR from building a standard
size gauge. (Standard gauge measures a scale 4’-8 1/2 " apart, a narrow
gauge railroads has a 3 foot span) And thus because of the winding narrow valleys
and mountains in this rugged area they choose to build a narrow gauge railroad;
e.g. the curves are less wide.
In modeling when you see the scale letter followed by a small
letter "n" and
some numerals, this indicates narrow gauge track. For example, HOn3 means
that the track is only 3 feet wide, rather than the standard 4’-8 _".
(Basic Model Railroading, Kalmbach Books©”).
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