Model Railroading Scales What Do the Letters Mean

     Model railroading is fascinating and has been dubbed by many as the “World’s Greatest Hobby”.   It is very versatile and incorporates many learning opportunities and is so much fun for all ages. It includes creativity with sculpturing, painting, airbrushing, decorating and landscaping, and encourages scientific exploration of electronics, physics, mechanics, engineering and architecture, all combined with humour, friendship, family activities, social interaction, and the great sense of accomplishment.

Many people who visit us ask if there is significance to the letter referral to different size trains; N, HO, O, G, etc.  The answer is YES!!  We've compiled a list of all the scales and why they were named with that letter designation.

Please leave a comment after you've read this post and let us know what your thoughts on gauge and scale are and if this was helpful to you or not.

T - Ø 1:450 (referred to as 'Tiny' or 'Tokyo' as it was introduced at the Tokyo Toy Show in 2006)

ZZ - Ø 1:300 (Until the 2006 announcement of T scale, ZZ scale was the smallest commercially available scale for model railroads)

Z - Ø  1:220 (with all the letters identifying gauges Z became the smallest so they used the last letter in the alphabet)

N - Ø 1:160 (track gauge is 9mm, the N stands for Nine mm)

2mm - Ø 1:152 (similar in size to the slightly larger British N scale at 1:148 and the slightly smaller European/American N scale at 1:160; it predates both versions of N scale)

TT - Ø 1:120 (referred to as Table Top as it fit so easily on coffee tables)

3mm - Ø 1:101 (also known as 3 mm finescale, is a model railway scale of 3 mm: 1ft used for British prototypes. Introduced as British TT gauge)

OO- Ø 1:76 (Runs on HO track and is the British counterpart)

HOn3 - Ø 1:87 (The "n" in HOn3 stands for 'narrow gauge', HOn3 is still HO scale)

HO - Ø 1:87 (Half O or ‘aitch oh’)

S - Ø 1:64 (First named Standard Gauge then to represent that Scale that was half of 1 gauge which was built to 1:32 scale)

On3 - Ø 1:48 (is narrow gauge O scale)

O - Ø 1:48 (was referred as zero (or 0h) gauge)

G - Ø  1:22.5 ( G stands for Garden)

Live Steam - Ø  1:2, 1:4 or 1:3 scale  (Ridable, large-scale, powered by steam)

Gauge refers to the width of the track, measured between the railheads.  Different from scale, which is proportion to life-size.

At present, Chinook & Hobby West carries three Scales of Model Trains for Sale:  O scale, HO Scale, and N scale.  This article was researched through Atlas, Kato, NMRA and Bachmann.

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What to do where to start

So, I am inching ever-closer to the commit point where I actually start building on my layout. I'm in progress of making space, and the plan for clearing obstacles looks like it is going to work. I'm adding shelves and reconfiguring things for storage below the layout. Just need some time to finish it, and maybe an idea of what I am really going to do in order to motivate me to finish this stage of preparations. Other things that need to be considered are lighting and actual construction methods for the benchwork. But that will come later. What I need to decide is what/where I am going to start.

Where I am at the moment:

[caption id="attachment_170" align="alignnone" width="601" caption="Version 2.0 includes the Hoboken Shore Railroad, and the Weehawken and Croxton Yards of the Erie Railroad with a small version of the Dial-A-Yard concept. This lays out the industries in order on the HBS."][/caption]

Option 1: Start on the big layout (room-encompassing) of the Hoboken Shore Railroad (HBS) with Erie Croxton Yard as seen in the version 2.0 plan above.

This would be a large project. The most disruption, the most money, the most effort... Major sub project would be figuring out how to deal with my "real work" area, which consists of computer, drafting table, table space and file and flat file cabinets. The tables/desks and layout above them would need to be configured somehow so that it is comfortable to do both at the appropriate time. I've been thinking in this direction for about 4 years, so there is really good background, momentum and interest for me. In research, I am getting into finding building plans and photographs of a lot of the industries along these lines. I could really closely model all the major buildings. In fact, I just started modeling the Dept. of Agriculture Quarantine Building in 3DS Max (just for practice using the software). The next thing to do for this option is to lay out the track in the yards especially, to make sure I can actually do what I am hoping to do. In the architecture biz, we call this moving into a DD set - Design Development. This is where the concepts come into contact with practical considerations and I have to make things 'work'.

Option 2: A larger Dial-A-Yard with New York Harbor pocket yards that would be about 5' x 7'. Possibly including Erie 28th St, Erie 149th, DL&W Harlem Terminal, and one or two others...then build the HBS later in a slightly smaller version.

I'm really interested in the Dial-A-Yard concept. I have 9 foot ceilings, so I could get 4 or 5 yards stacked in one 5' x 7' area. The engineering of a mechanized lift system would be a challenge (fun), but it would delay the start (and playing with) any sort of layout. An alternative is to build this just outside the room in the hall. That would be a tough sell to the brass hat, but is worth looking into the feasibility both space-wise and R.O.W. wise.

Option 3: A room full of yards connected by car float carts.

OK, I just thought about this for the first time thanks to David Ramos' post on the Rail Marine Yahoo! Group. It made me take another look at his layout plan, and the multiple yards/multiple railroads started me off thinking how amazing it would be to have a dozen yards from around NY Harbor all in one room. Four or 5 car float carts and one staging area to feed them. A pure, cohesive concept for a layout that would be innovative and interesting to operate (as long as one likes small yard switching). The downside is that it would be all one type of operating. Version 2.0 has the advantage that it includes a large a large yard, smaller yard, and branch line industrial switching. That fact could sway me. I will need to poll my potential operating crew for reaction to this idea. It may be that all those yards would be boring? It is worth drawing it up. As you can tell by the lengthy discussion of this option, I am intrigued by this idea.

I let you know what happens next.

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How do i know what gauge my model train is

How do i know what gauge my model train is

Take a look Images How do i know what gauge my model train is

How do i know what gauge my model train is

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Pugvalley [model trains - manufacturers], Welcome to pugvalley. this site offers rock midi files, online games and links to model train, music and recipe sites..

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Rocketry Tips Recovery Wadding Why Do I Need It

Summer is a great time to take up Model Rocketry.  Who wouldn't want to see something get 'blown-up'.*

Flame resistant recovery wadding protects the recovery system and is necessary to launch model rockets.  Although it looks like toilet paper or thin paper towel, it is NOT the same!  Wadding is specially treated to protect your parachute and rocket from melting or exploding so you get the maximum enjoyment out of your model rocket.


#3556 - Pro Series II™ Recovery Wadding

Flame resistant recovery wadding is necessary for launching model rockets. It prevents melting and destruction of your rocket and parachute.

Enough wadding for 10-12 Pro Series II launches.

Can also be used with any Estes rockets!

#2274 - Recovery Wadding

The flame resistant wadding is required in most Estes rockets unless they are tumble recovery.

Contains 75 sheets, enough for about 18-25 flights and is absolutely necessary to launch model rockets.

Come on down to Chinook & Hobby West - It's Where The Fun Begins!
http://www.chinookandhobbywest.com/

hobbywest@shaw.ca

1-403-243-1997


If you're in Calgary, AB or area here is a great site with a calendar so you can see rockets of all sizes being launched.  They also have the info on the by-laws you need to stick with so you don't get a ticket launching those rockets  Calgary Rocketry Association
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* please be careful when using any rocketry supplies or engines. You can get seriously injured if you do not follow the instructions.  Chinook & Hobby West is not responsible for loss, injury or death that may be caused by using any products we may or may not feature.

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Do You Collect Toys

Being in retail, I have noticed that the Action Figure Collector market has really changed this past year. The 3 3/4" collectors are shifting their focus choosing to buy figures that are loose instead of carded or boxed.

This could be because of price, or the fact you see what you get. In our house its so we can make dioramas and when the kids play with them we are not so worried that it cost 'This Much' and they may break it. With the magic of an 'O' ring or two and some 'Speed' brand superglue, they're fixed!

The 12" market is changing too. The manufacturers seem to be sticking mainly to the figures they know have sold in the past and just retool them slightly and re-release them.  Do we really need 13+ Iron Man 12" figures?

Now don't get me wrong, yes I'm sick of them bringing out the same Clone Trooper with a different colour on his armour - but they are all super detailed and articulated and pretty cool.  The little details can really make some figures really neat to display!

Perhaps if these companies listened to the customers they poll at the conventions these manufacturers would find more unique and origianl ideas for figures that would rekindle the collectors passion.

~This is the opinion of this person only and does not reflect the opinions of Chinook & Hobby West

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