O Gauge Model Trains

One of the most popular styles of model trains is the O gauge trains. These trains are larger than some of the other products available, but are sometimes the best. One of the reasons this scale is great is that it is easy to handle by beginners. Small children, as well as older adults who may have limited mobility in their hands, or poor eyesight will also find this size is much better to deal with.

O Gauge Trains have been available for over a century now, having first been introduced by the German manufacturer Marklin. It took some time for these trains to catch on with serious hobbyists and were long considered to be just children’s toys. Due to their larger size, these trains once used a triple rail system in order to support their weight. The exact ratio of O scale trains depends on where the trains were manufactured; in the US, O scale trains are 1:48 compared to real trains, trains made in the UK are at a 1:43.5 ratio and in the rest of Europe, the ratio is 1:45. Before you purchase an O scale train, make sure it’s the same size as you currently use, since it won’t run on your rails otherwise.

These larger model trains are a bit costlier than smaller gauges, but O gauge trains are still very reasonably priced. Scenery and other accessories made for this scale also tends to be slightly more expensive, though hobbyists can of course simply add scenery a piece at a time as their budget allows. You might also want to go with a starter set to begin with; and if you’re artistically inclined, you could even make your own O scale scenery.

The Lionel O Gauge B&O Ready To Run Set is a popular choice for those just getting started with O gauge trains. This is a high quality set including a die cast 4-4-0 steam locomotive with very realistic simulated smoke and a fully functional headlamp, as well as a tender car, a gondola car, a Lionel Lines boxcar and a red caboose to bring up the rear. A Sentinel boxcar is also included in the set, as are 10 telephone poles, an extension bridge, FasTrack sufficient to make a 40″ by 60″ oval and a PowerMax transformer (featuring forward and reverse movement) - all for less than 0!

If you are interested in becoming a model train hobbyist and want to start out with the O gauge train, there are many different websites where you can find an abundance of sets, individual cars and tracks, as well as a large assortment of scenery and buildings. It may be a good idea to check with your local hobby shops first, in order to see a variety of different offerings all in one location.

This is also a good way for beginners to be able to have any questions about trains answered right away. There are many really good books that have many layout plans, including all the materials you will need to make your hobby the best it can be. They will also have other tips and information any train lover will enjoy.

Tags: model railroading, model train, model trains, o gauge model trains, O gauge trains, o scale model trains, o scale trains