Hobbies And Interests
G Scale
G scale is the largest commercial hobby scale and is typically used in gardens, hence the designation "G." It is 1:22.5, which means the real prototype is 22.5 times larger than the model.
O Scale
O scale is 1:48 scale. If you divided the length in inches of a real boxcar or engine by 48 you would have the length of an O-scale model. The oldest O-scale trains run on three rail tracks.
O27 Scale
O27 scale is the same ratio as O scale at 1:48. The difference, however, is that O27 is designed to run on tighter 27-inch curves, allowing for trains to run in smaller spaces.
HO Scale
HO scale is derived from the fact that is is approximately half O scale at 1:87. It is the most popular scale in the world for serious modelers. An HO-scale model is 1/87th the length, height and width of the real thing.
N Scale
N scale is 1:160 in its proportions. It would take 160 models to equal the length of the real-world objects they represent. N scale is now nearly as popular as HO because it is highly detailed and uses smaller models, allowing for more train in less space.
Z Scale
Developed in Europe where interior space is at a premium, Z scale is 1:220 scale. Engines and boxcars are often less than an inch long, and working layouts can even be done in the space of a suitcase.