What Does the Ho Scale Mean on Model Trains?

Realistic modeling and respect for space make HO scale trains a popular choice for hobbyists.

If the fairytale character Goldilocks was a model train enthusiast, chances are she'd prefer the HO scale. Considering their "just right" size--between the larger O scale and smaller N scale--HO scale trains allow for rich detail and creative displays without eating up space.

HO Beginnings

HO (pronounced aitch-ho) scale trains were developed in 1930s United Kingdom. While slow to catch on, American hobbyists began to demand the new scale, with their popularity exploding in the 1950s. The named was dervived from the fact that HO scale was about half (H) of the then popular O scale.

The HO Scale

Scale, whether in die-cast cars or model trains, relates directly to the real thing. In the case of HO trains, they are 1/87 the size of a life-size locomotive. These trains sacrifice size while maintaining realism. Hobbyists require as little as a half a sheet of plywood to construct a continuous, working loop display.

HO Scale Appeal

While adults make up the majority of the HO scale hobbyists pool, this train scale is suited for smaller hands as well. Considering the degree of detail in HO scale model trains, small, moving parts are virtually absent.

References

• HO Model Trains: Choosing Scale
• Model Railroad Resources: HO Scale
• Model Railroad Train Secrets: Understanding HO