HO Scale Trains
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Fun with HO Scale Trains
When I was a kid the best Christmas present I ever got was an HO Scale train set. HO Scale is the most popular scale for model railroading for a lot of good reasons. HO Scale trains are 1/87 the size of real trains, which is about half way between N Scale trains (1/160) and S Scale trains (1/64). For a lot of people, HO Scale trains are the best compromise between being big enough to be easy to work with and small enough to fit a decent size layout into available space. Another advantage of HO Scale trains over other scales is that selection is great and prices tend to be lower than other scales (especially the larger scales). If you are new to model railroading, HO Scale is probably the easiest and cheapest way to get started.
HO Scale Train Videos
Inspiration for your HO Scale train layout...
automatically generated by YouTube
How to Build a Model Railroad
Building an HO Scale train layout from start to finish...
A 4x8 table layout is probably the most common HO Scale train layout, especially for beginners. This is because 4 x 8 sheets of plywood are easy to use as a table to build your train layout on. Some people don't like the 4 x 8 layout and will tell you that an around the walls or shelf layout is a better choice for your HO Scale train. This might be true in some cases, but I think the 4 x 8 has a lot to offer. For one thing, a table built with a 4 x 8 sheet of plywood is very easy to build. It is probably one of the quickest and easiest ways to get your HO scale trains off the floor and onto a more permanent base. Second, a 4 x 8 train layout almost always offers continuous running. This is important if you like to watch your trains run, and it's something not always offered by shelf type layouts. Finally, a 4 x 8 layout is to move out of the way when you're not using it. If you build your HO Scale layout in a garage, for example, it's easy to rig a block and tackle to lift your layout to the rafters when not in use. 
HO Scale Shelf Layouts
Designing, planning, and building an HO Scale shelf layout...
If you have an entire room to devote to your model railroad, you might find an around-the-walls shelf layout makes better use of your space. Instead of a free standing table in the middle of the room, the layout is built on shelves that line the room. Since the perimeter of a room is larger than the center, this lets you fit a longer main line or more sidings and yard tracks into a given room size. It also lets you use larger radius curves which look better and let you run longer equipment. The disadvantage of an around the walls layout is that the bench work is more complicated to build than a 4 x 8 table. If you want continuous running, you will need a lift out section or a duck under where the track crosses the door. Since the bench work is built along the walls, it also blocks any windows, closets, etc. in the room. It also tends to preclude the use of the room for anything other than your model railroad. If you have the space and are after maximum realism though, you will probably eventually end up with an around the walls layout or some variation of it.
HO Scale Switching Layouts
Planning and building an HO Scale switching layout...
If you have limited space for your model railroad, your only option may be a small shelf (or switching) layout. Excellent HO Scale switching layouts have been built in spaces as small as 1 x 6 feet. Building a layout in such a small space might seem restrictive, but if your space is limited then you "gotta do what you gotta do." Actually, a small switching layout isn't as restrictive as you might think. The small size allows you to spend more time detailing and perfecting your scenery techniques, and since you won't need as much equipment and "stuff" you'll save a lot of money too.
HO Scale Locomotives
Steam or Diesel, H0 has the best selection...
(Photo Credit: slambo_42 under Creative Commons license)
H0 Scale has the largest selection of locomotives by far. It doesn't matter what era you model from the 1880's to the present, there is probably an H0 Scale locomotive that is right for your layout. Current manufactures include Athearn, Atlas, Bachmann Trains, Broadway Limited, Walthers (Proto 2000) and others. Many of them offer a moderately priced line with simpler detailing and a more expensive line with better detailing, DCC control, and sometimes sound.
HO Scale Freight Cars
H0 Scale offers the biggest selection of frieght cars...
(Photo Credit: Coxsj under Creative Commons license)
HO Scale has the biggest selection of freight cars
HO Scale Passenger Trains
If you love passenger trains, you'll love H0 Scale...
(Photo Credit: Tabbymom Jen under Creative Commons license)
HO Model Railroads In The News
What others are working on in HO Scale...
- Celebrating Ma & Pa Railroad Sundays in June
- June 17 - Nick Paulter, 12, will bring his recently completed HO scale model of the Delta, Pa. train station. Mike Schmitz is currently working on HO scale model of the Baldwin, Md. train station. He will demonstrate how to make trees for models.
- Weekly Entertainment (Vienna/McLean/Great Falls)
- Model Railroad (HO Scale) Open House and Display at Via Vienna Days. 1-5 pm Historic Vienna Depot, 231 Dominion Road NE, Vienna. The layout depicts the Western North Carolina Railroad (now a portion of the Norfolk Southern) during the period of ...
- Community calendar for Sunday, May 13, 2012
- Come view an impressive three-level HO-scale state-of-the-art operating railroad. Info:gotrains@ymail.com. Abryss Rising 1:30 and 5 pm, Six Flags Discovery Kingdom, 1001 Fairgrounds Drive., Vallejo. Enjoy a mix of hip hop, alternative rock and metal ...
- Old Station Opening After Memorial Day Parade
- It features ?Les Paul in Mahwah: A Tribute,? ?New Jersey Fights in the Civil War? and the Donald Cooper HO-Scale Model Railroad. On June 9, at the Trustees Pavilion at Ramapo College, at 7:30 pm the Museum is holding a Gala to celebrate what would have ...
Please Sign My Guestbook
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LittleLindaPinda May 4, 2012 @ 10:21 am | delete
- I used to own an HO Train Set and love buying especially the neat old looking engines. As a kid, I grew up with the big Lionel Trains. Nice memories here, thank you.
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TeaLady
Mar 31, 2012 @ 5:07 am | delete
- I've always loved trains, big ones and little ones!
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Michey Mar 24, 2012 @ 9:09 am | delete
- This looks to me as a perfect gift for a little boy, very informative lens.
Thanks
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AnthonyAltorenna
Oct 7, 2011 @ 2:45 pm | delete
- Model railroading is a great hobby for kids of all ages. I liked model trains as a kid, and enjoy them ever more as an adult (though I guess I never really grew up). Nicely done!
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Duane_Jackson
Sep 7, 2011 @ 12:16 am | delete
- I'd sure like to own a set!
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by glockr
I've been into model railroading since I was about 8 years old. My main interest is small HO layouts (but if I had a basement...) and I also collect S... more »
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