Scale Model Trains

Atlas Model Trains Company Article

Scale Model Trains

About the term “Scale”: The term "scale", used in the Scale Model Train, is a notion used to represent the actual scale of the trains, which vary country to country. These Model trains are more realistic if we compare it these with toy trains.

Carpet railways: The earliest form of model rails is the 'Carpet Railways', which originated in 1840s.

Earlier Model Scales: In earlier days, the model trains were not made to any fixed scale. The scales for the models were made according to rough approximations to real trains. Some de facto standards, were, however, arrived at soon by the Manufacturers and the hobbyists. Clear Official scales were drawn up for various gauges by proper calculations, and were followed rigidly at first. These standards, however, were not proportionate to the chosen rail gauge. For example, there was a substantial difference in O (called zero) gauge trains, which operated on a widely spaced track, whereas British OO scale standards used to operate on tracks that are too narrow and undersized by 7 inches. A number of the commercial scales have standards with wheel flanges too deep, or wheel treads too wide, and rail tracks, which are very large.

Standardisation of Scales: Later on, the modellers became aware and dissatisfied with these kinds of inaccuracies. They started putting their efforts in development of fine scale standards with every thing accurately scaled. These were then used by dedicated modellers but were generally not spread to mass-produced equipment in part. This is because of various reasons like ensuring reliable operation, cost controls etc. One of the fine-scale standard is S4, which was formerly P4. This UK’s standard uses a track dimensions set, which is scaled very precisely from prototype. It (4mm / 1 foot) uses wheels of 2mm or less wide and track with a gauge of size 18.83mm.

Origin of HO Scale Trains: HO scale trains originated in the UK in 1930s. It was taken as an alternative to the OO scale train. But it proved unsuitable for the scale modelling train in UK, whereas, in the United States it became very popular. There it took off in the late 1950s when the interest in rail road-toys started declining and on the increasing demand of hobbyist of model trains more emphasis was given to realism. If we compare HO scale with O scale, former is more delicate than latter but its smaller size allows adding more details and in same area, modellers could place longer tracks.

‘HO’ v/s ‘O’ Scales: Due to these advantages, in the 1960s HO scale began competing O scale in popularity. This was quite evident by the fact that the stalwarts of other sizes started manufacturing HO scale trains. Few of them were Gilbert, the makers of American Flyer and Lionel Corporation.

Popularity of ‘HO’ Model Trains: At present, the HO model train scale gained popularity the most popular in continental Europe as well as North America, whereas, in Great Britain OO model has still got its dominance. HO model locomotives, rolling stock, e.g., cars or carriages, scenery and buildings, etc., can be purchased freely in various price bands from a large number of manufacturers.