The hobby of model railroading is one of the most engaging, relaxing and rewarding activities that a person can pursue. It has no limits to gender or age and is enjoyed by people all over the world. In fact, railroad modelers are a close-nit community. Railroad modeling is a hobby that you literally can keep adding to.

Like a lot of people I got my first “train set” for Christmas. Rubbing the sleep from my eyes that Christmas morning and seeing my very first model train circling the Christmas trees was a site I have never forgotten. Thirty-two years later I am still consumed with this hobby.
  

My First Railroad Set (Xmas 1971, Wow!)

I share my experience with my two children (Dan and Debbi) and my wife Cathy. And I can say that our joy for model railroading has help made us a tight knit family. Whether you participate in this hobby by yourself, with other family members, friends, forums or clubs you can find complete enjoyment in this hobby.

I caution you, once bitten with the model railroad bug it can consume you, consume in a good way.

Model railroading from the outside in can seem somewhat simple. But like in most hobbies there is much more to it than what meets the eyes. It is easy to rush into this hobby and end up getting the wrong equipment, set up and supplies.

Unfortunately by the time you figured this out your pocket book could easily become much lighter. Therefore doing the proper research before starting not only will get you going in the right direction it will also teach you what to purchase and how much you should be spending.

The best scale of railroad for beginners to start with (and if you want to stay with) is by far the HO scale. Not only does the HO scale have the biggest selection of models and accessories to choose from but the HO models cost less. If you are the type of model railroader that wants to do less set up work the HO scale has a wide variety of structures that come in kits that are already put together. You just set them up.

But if you are the “DIY” do it yourself type of person then you can purchase all of the parts individually and put them together yourself. You’ll find models of almost every diesel locomotive and a wide range of steam locomotives as well as a tremendous variety of rolling stock, structure kits and detailing items. HO railroads take nearly 4 times less space than the same 0 scale railroad setup. This means a 0 scale setup size of 8’ x 16’ in an HO model railroad will be 4’ x 8’.

You have probably heard of the terms “scale” and “gauge” but do you know what they mean.

Scale is the proportion of the railroad models to the real thing. And gauge is the distance between the rails. Keep in mind when talking about model railroad structures there will never be a HO gauge only a HO scale. HO railroad models are 1/87 or 1:87.1 of the size of the prototype. The initials HO comes from “half 0” being HO scale is about half of the 0 scale (1:48) this size was the most popular with railroad modelers up through the 1940’s.

But the 1950’s industries became capable in building smaller motors and other parts which resulted in the capabilities of building smaller scales. Thus the HO model was created and quickly became the most popular model to this date. Keep in mind when talking about model structures there will never be a HO gauge only a HO scale.

Here are some of the several scale sizes:

1. G 1:22.5 (garden railways; a boxcar is as big as a 2 liter bottle)
2. O 1:48 (Lionel trains and others)
3. S 1:64 (not too popular)
4. HO 1:87.1 (cars about 7-9 inches and by far the most popular size)
5. N 1:60 (about half the size of the HO scale)
6. Z 1:220 (very small)
7. HO Scale Next To O Scale.

Something else to consider if you have clumsily fingers like me working with the HO scale is easier than working with the smaller sizes. But if you still are not sure which scale you want then I would suggest going to a hobby shop and see and operate the different model railroad sizes.

Forever a Model Railroader, Billy Jamison!