While this is a general mix-up, many model trains hobbyists will get fairly upset if you confuse the two. Gauge is the space in between the rails on a track, not size.

First a few facts about model railroad scales. It is measured like this.

First thing you will observe when looking at a model train scales is a letter. Here are the most common lettering system, in order from largest to littlest.

While there are some others that can be bigger or littler, they’re difficult to find and various smaller sizes are hard to work with, especially if you have large hands, or have arthritis. HO is probably the easiest to work with, find parts and accessories easily, and is one of the most common train scales.

In order from largest is G scale. These railways are 1:24, meaning they are only one twenty-fourth the size of a real train.

While you may think of these railroads as the ones you may have seen circling a tree at Christmas time, they’re larger than that. You would most often find this scale in a outside setting, intermingled in a garden or landscaping scene.

They’re made to be rugged and durable and will take the stress of weather fairly well. The size commonly associated with Christmas trains are the ‘O’ model railroad scales, which are 1:48, meaning that they’re 1 48th the size of an actual train.

You mostly see these in the hands of smaller children, because of their size, they are easily handled by small ones. You will almost certainly not see many of these railroad layouts indoors, because of the space they use.

HO is as mentioned before, the most popular used and effortlessly found. HO scale is 1:87, which is small enough to handle well, performs the best and is large enough to showcase very well.

You’ll see these model railway scales in most layouts, because of the convenience of parts and miniatures that are obtainable. This train size is great for the newbie, because it has scores of basic sets, and can be expanded as the user becomes more experienced.

The next two are N, which stands for nine, which is the space between the tracks for this model, 9mm. This scale is 1:160, and is small enough to show in a bedroom, or a garage setting.

Z scale is the smallest, 1:220, and a total basic track for this size can fit on an office or home desk top. But, this size is not advised for kids for those with vision problems, etc. because it is so small.

Again gauge is the measured space between the track, and there are lots of different gauges. Generally when you buy a set, you really do not have to be concerned about this, as the train and tracks always match.

When you are buying extra track, then you’ll need to identify what the gauge is, so you won’t get tracks that are too wide or narrow to match with the ones you have. With this information about model train scales, it ought to help you figure out which model railroads are going to be perfect for you.

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It’s rumored that Lionel Cowen made his first toy train before the age of ten. He carved a small train out of wood and fixed a small steam engine to it. Unfortunately, his parents kitchen was damaged when the steam exploded the engine. Lionel did not get discouraged despite the loss of his early steam locomotive and in 1900 at the turn of the century, founded the Lionel Corporation. It was at this point that rail travel was the seen as being the epitome of modernity, style, sophistication and progress. Both children and adults alike marveled at it’s technology.

The initial train made by what would soon become Lionel Corporation was designed to be a store display prop to help showcase featured items. It was a gondola train called the electric express. The success of this gondola train displaying items as it went around a circular track in the store window took an unexpected direction. It failed to highlight featured items in the gondola, this was because it succeeded in creating so much interest that customers would want to buy the fascinating new electric train. Lionel Cowen took notice of this and focused Lionel Corporation on what we know and love them for, model trains.

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Now the corporation has a different structure but that is for the better; the important things like legacy, attention to detail and an original desire to build great model trains for children, adults and collectors remains apart of the modern Lionel corporation.  Model trains haven’t enjoyed the main stream interest they once had but they have not disappeared completely, in fact they are enjoying somewhat of a resurgence of interest.  With more options to play with, especially video games and other electronics, it’s no wonder that children’s interest today in a model train set is not going to be as high as it was in the golden era of model railroading.

If you’re like me, as an adult you have plenty of good memories of Lionel model trains in your childhood recollections.  The largest wrapped big box under the Christmas tree on Christmas day in the morning, or finding a new train set up mysteriously set up triggers some great memories for many. Now that many of us with these memories are adults, the fondness for model trains has not gone away. Being an adult with an adult income enables us to realize many of our model train desires that date all the way back to our childhood.

After evolving along a rich timeline and history, the modern Lionel model train company is not alone to enjoy the complete market dominance it once held, there are quite a few other mode railroad manufacturers that have garnered a piece of the model trains niche. New innovations are being introduced by model train companies like MTH Railking. With their high level of realism and detail, MTH is pushing the boundaries of modern model railroading. This competition is good for Lionel as they have been able meet the market need for more realism and complexity in response to other competitors. But no matter what other upstart companies come into being, Lionel will always have a special place in the heart of many model train collectors and enthusiast.

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