Why HO Scale Model Trains Remain Popular
admin | November 14, 2009
There are plenty of model train enthusiasts out there who enjoy taking their hobby outdoors with larger-scale garden trains which make their way around their back yards. Other hobbyists turn entire floors of their home over to large, elaborate model train layouts. However, the majority of model train lovers don’t have this kind of space to dedicate to their hobby, but would still like to have the flexibility to use multiple layouts and to create layouts which differ from the simple, traditional oval track. If you love your model trains but simply do not have room for larger layouts, there are alternatives available. In fact, hobbyists have a great deal of different sizes of trains and tracks to choose from; whether you have a lot of room or just a little, you can enjoy model railroading.
O scale trains are one of the most popular sizes. These trains offer a lot of detail, being in a size ratio of 1:48 to real life trains and running on 1 ΒΌ” gauge track. While these are one of the larger sizes, they are smaller than the G scale model trains often used for outdoor layouts - O scale are a smaller alternative to these trains which is suitable for indoor or outdoor use, but do take up a significant amount of space.
For model train enthusiasts who do not have as much room for their layouts but would like to be able to enjoy a lot of detail, there are the 1:48 ratio HO scale model trains. Meaning half O, Ho Model Train is the most popular scale with hobbyists and are a good choice for floor layouts and for making relatively elaborate layouts without having to take up an entire floor of your home.
These trains offer a good balance of the detail of the larger scales of train and the smaller space requirement of the tiny models such as N scale trains. Because of this, they have managed to remain the most popular scale. This scale did not become popular overnight; when they were first introduced to hobbyists in the UK in the 1930s, they failed to catch on due to the popularity of OO scale trains.
When HO scale model trains came to the US around 1950 however, they quickly caught on and are a favorite with model train enthusiasts to this day. More than 65% of hobbyists prefer this scale.
Since this is the most popular scale, it is the easiest to find trains, tracks, accessories and premade layouts for; virtually every company who produces model trains and accessories manufactures them in this scale.
For the hobbyist who wants model trains which offer plenty of detail, are easy to find and easy to build creative layouts for in a reasonable amount of space, HO scale trains are the way to go. *If you want to create the model train layout of your dreams CLICK HERE !*
