|
Which Scale is Right
for You? When you begin on designing your model railroad, the most important question you'll have to answer is which scale is right for you. Take our simple questioner to find out. Some of the terms tossed around in the hobby may seem intimidating, and words like scale and gauge are no exception, so let's define them and help you on your way. *Scale* Simply refers to the proportion of the model to the prototype.
*Gauge Is the width of the track, measured between the railheads.
There are three main scales of
model trains that you will have to choose from. Their main
determining factors deal with the amount of space and the amount
of money that you wish to spend in the pursuit of your hobby.
The smaller the scale, the less costly the supplies and less
expansive the amount of space needed to run your layout.
Conversely, larger scales require more room and more money
invested from you. The amount of detail and modeling work needed
for each scale differs as well. Take a quick look at the
following major scales: This is the most popular scale
and is 1/87 proportion to the prototype. It requires a small
area for a layout, using a sheet of plywood or even a bookshelf
for some of the smaller layouts, and there are many products
available for HO scale modellers. The track it runs on is 16.5mm
gauge.
N scale is the second most
popular scale and quite small, being 1/160 proportioned to the
prototype. Smaller trains will mean less detail, but you can run
a large layout in a smaller area than HO. The gauge on the track
is 9mm. About Us Contact Us Our Sponsors Privacy Copyright |
|