What is the most popular model railway gauge?

The 16.5 mm gauge is the most popular of all track sizes.
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Which is better N scale or HO scale?

HO scale is more popular than N scale, and it's been the most popular scale for a long time now. So in theory there's a better chance of you being able to buy the exact car or rolling stock or engine or building you want in HO scale than in N scale.
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Which is bigger O scale or HO scale?

O scale is obviously a much larger commitment—HO scale is half the size, and is one of the most popular scales due to its relatively easy entry point. Smaller scales, therefore, can be ideal for beginners, but larger scales allow you to create much more detail and realism in your layouts.
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What is the most popular model train brand?

Top model train brands in the United States
  • Athearn (HO, N scale)
  • Atlas (O, HO and N scale)
  • Arnold (N gauge, owned by Hornby)
  • Bachmann (HO, N and G scale)
  • Lionel (O scale trains).
  • Walthers (N and HO scale)
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What scale is model railroads?

HO or H0 is a rail transport modelling scale using a 1:87 scale (3.5 mm to 1 foot). It is the most popular scale of model railway in the world. The rails are spaced 16.5 millimetres (0.650 in) apart for modelling 1,435 mm (4 ft 81⁄2 in) standard gauge tracks and trains in HO.
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The Guide to: Model Railway Scales



What size is N gauge model railway?

N scale is a popular model railway scale. Depending upon the manufacturer (or country), the scale ranges from 1:148 to 1:160. In all cases, the gauge (the distance between the rails) is 9 mm or 0.354 in.
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What is the cheapest model train scale?

N and HO scales are the two most common worldwide standards for model trains an common question for those thinking about this wonderful hobby then is which is cheaper. The answer is undoubtedly that while both are inexpensive to started, N scale is cheaper than HO scale in the long run.
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Who makes the best O gauge model trains?

Our expert team has searched and evaluated a wide range of o scale hobby train sets ranging in price from $89 to $449. Our top pick is Lionel Hobby Train Set. Also, don't skip the other top options and the buying guide of helpful information to guide you towards the perfect o scale hobby train set.
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Which is better Bachmann vs Hornby?

Although Hornby have made some great models in the last 10-15 years, personally having both in my collection I find that the Bachmann models are less fragile, marginally cheaper and slightly more reliable. That said though - compared to what was available in the 1980s/1990s, both make beautiful models...
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What is the most valuable model train?

Worth a staggering £10million (€15million), Miniatur Wunderland in Germany is by far the biggest and most expensive model railway in the world.
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What does HO trains stand for?

The abbreviation “HO” stands for “half-O.” The smaller trains were less expensive and took up less space than their larger O scale cousins, which became popular with people who were moving into small homes and apartments in the 1940s.
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What is the largest gauge of model trains?

G Scale is 1:22.5, and runs on a gauge of 1.75 inches. This is the largest scale offered, making them suitable for outdoor use in your garden, as well as large indoor spaces. G Scale model trains are also great for younger children to play with since they're durable and rugged.
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What is the best base for a model railway?

Top / Layout Base

The de facto standard for the best wood to use for the top of your model railway baseboard is Plywood (available from home DIY stores). This is strong enough to secure your track, buildings and scenery but easy to work with, allowing track pins to be easily pushed in for example.
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What does N scale stand for?

The "N" is short for nine millimeter (although the actual gauge is 8.97mm). In N scale 2mm is approximately 1 foot. N scale is the second most popular scale worldwide. Many modelers select N scale as an alternative to HO scale because it allows more complex layouts to be built in the space available to them.
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Is N gauge Cheaper Than Oo?

It's no surprise that trains in OO gauge are cheaper than their N gauge equivalents.
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Is HO and OO track the same?

Though they run on the same track, OO gauge and HO gauge models of the same prototype do not sit well together since the OO models are larger than the HO equivalent. These differences have led to the development of the finescale standards of EM gauge and P4 standards.
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What has happened to rails of Sheffield and Hornby?

Rails of Sheffield have announced that they will be unable to supply forthcoming Hornby products. Rails is one of the UK's largest UK suppliers of new and second-hand model railway stock but according to an announcement on their Facebook page today (25th August 2020) their ties with Hornby have come to an end.
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Can Hornby trains run on Bachmann track?

Title: Re: Hornby on Bachmann track? Hornby and Bachmann Thomas products will operate together and run on the same track. Yes British OO is a different scale but on the same track as HO.
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Which O gauge track is best?

Top O Scale Hobby Train Tracks
  • Bachmann Trains - Snap-Fit E-Z TRACK 18” RADIUS CURVED TRACK.
  • Bachmann Trains - Snap-Fit E-Z TRACK REMOTE TURNOUT.
  • Lionel FasTrack Electric O Gauge.
  • Lionel FasTrack Electric O Gauge.
  • Bachmann Trains - Snap-Fit E-Z Track 18” Radius Curved Track.
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Is Bachmann a good brand?

They make solid basic and high quality RTR stuff. As was suggested, Bachmann's spectrum line is very good, and they do make some sets in the spectrum line, but their regular sets should be avoided.
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Who makes the best OO gauge locomotives?

O gauge continues to grow in popularity, and manufacturer support is keeping pace, with Dapol and Heljan producing some exemplary models at attractive prices. From exquisite steam locomotives to rolling stock, both companies have models in the 2019 top picks.
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What is G gauge train size?

G scale is essentially the modelling of narrow gauge railways on track 45mm wide, representing, in the scale of 1:22.5, continental metre gauge, though in recent years this has been enhanced by the introduction of a number of propriety items representing 3 foot gauge to the scale 1:20.3; the scales make little ...
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What is the difference between model train gauges?

Model and toy trains are classified according to scale and gauge. “Scale” describes the size of a miniature in proportion to its full-size prototype. “Gauge” refers to the distance between the rails of the track. The largest model trains are collectively referred to as “large scale” trains.
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What's the difference between HO and N scale?

Print. Model railways come a variety different scales representing different sizes of trains and scenery. N scale is 1/160 scale. This means HO scale is 87 times smaller than the real prototype, and N scale is half the size of HO scale.
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