| Model railroad enthusiasts have all types of | | | | 1930's. The HO was produced as an alternate train to |
| preferences. Even in small spaces a hobbyist may | | | | the OO scale. Manufacturers wanted the HO to take |
| want to spread out his/her single train layout to fill the | | | | a market share from the OO scale, but the OO |
| entire space while another may want to have several | | | | prevailed in the UK. |
| track layouts and trains running at the same time. The | | | | In the US the hobbyist's desire for a realistic based toy |
| needs and desires are met by having differing sizes of | | | | allowed the HO model train to take hold in the 50's, to |
| trains. Americans' most popular size, The HO model | | | | grow through the 60's and to become the highest |
| train, is 1/87, half the size of the O scale. The O scale | | | | ranked scale for train lovers. More than two thirds of |
| model is 1/48 or one forty-eighth the size a regular | | | | train enthusiasts have chosen the HO as their favorite |
| train. The O runs on tracks with a fourteen gauge. The | | | | train scale. Those numbers made it easy for |
| HO model train layout provides a 16.5mm gauge upon | | | | manufacturers to increase the choices of locomotives, |
| which the HO model trains run. | | | | accessories, sets and rolling stock. Vast arrays of HO |
| Take outdoor model railroading, for example. The O | | | | train sets with ready-to-go trains and modular tracks, |
| scale is the smaller of the large trains and a popular | | | | grade kits, and scratch building supplies, line the model |
| choice for a garden layout. This train, however, does | | | | train shop shelves. Even detailed, limited-edition |
| not fulfill every hobbyist' choice. Some may prefer the | | | | locomotives made of brass are available. |
| larger of the small trains, the HO, particularly if the | | | | With global suppliers and foreign manufacturers, and |
| outside area is small. The HO scale is used in many | | | | local hobby shops accessible online, hobbyist can |
| different layouts because they are small enough to | | | | spend days searching for just the right piece to |
| deliver a satisfying canvas for the scenery lovers in a | | | | complete their plan. For those of you who imagine a |
| reasonable amount of space. The desire for detail | | | | layout with sprawling landscapes and rolling hills, small |
| found in larger models is still accommodated. They are | | | | towns and recreation spots for the citizens, factories |
| large enough for children to transition from toy models | | | | and rail yards, the HO scale model trains are just for |
| to HO models without worry of damaging little fingers. | | | | you. As for your neighbors and friends, the smoking |
| The size, the details and the lower space requirement | | | | locomotive chugging down the track, climbing the |
| makes the HO scale a nice balance between the large | | | | mountains passes and disappearing into a tunnel will |
| and small trains. | | | | "blow their hair back! |
| Historically the HO scale started in England in the | | | | |