Definition of Electric Train Scale

Knowing what you want your trains to do helps narrow what electric train scale to employ.

Electric train layouts, whether as compact as a 4-by-8-foot panel or one which fills a 9-by-12 room, have at least one thing in common--scale.

Scale Defined

Electric train scale is a ratio of the size of a real train. All electric trains are rated in this fashion and the intent is to define the differences in the varying trains on the market, as well as help hobbyists determine the size of their trains and the settings they wish to surround their trains with.

Popular Scales

The four most popular scales from large to small are O, G, HO and N. The O scale trains have a scale ratio of 1:48 --1/48 the size of a real locomotive. The N gauge trains are 1/60 the size of a life-sized train.

NMRA Standards

The National Model Railroad Association serves as a governing body and organization for model train enthusiasts. The NMRA has established guidelines, parameters and dimensions for relationships between track, trains and scales for all the various sizes of trains.

References

• Model Railroad Train Secrets :Scale Fundamentals
• NMRA: Scale