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Slide 1: http://www.modeltrainsecret.com Model Train hobby – Scale, the beginner’s Dilemma For a Model Train beginner the scale is, with a great probability, the most central choice to be made. Let’s have a look at some considerations on this subject. The first concern for many people when they start in Model Railroading is what scale will they use? Should I go to a big one or to a small one? This is important as it will impact many things down the road, especially the layout that you will plan and the space that you will have to deploy. Before we go into the impacts of the scale you choose it’ useful to really understand what is a Model Train scale. Essentially, the scale tells you the relative size of a specific model train relative to the actual real train. In Model Railroad the most common scales are referred by a set off letters that were assigned as the hobby development. For example, an N scale is refers to models with 1:148 of the size of the real train, a HO scale (probably the most popular scale) corresponds to 1:87 of the size of a real one, etc. So, you can see that a scale relates directly to the size of the model train and the main aspects that you have to look for when choosing it are the space the available to the layout of the track. The Space Available for your Model Trains Since space is not available to most of us in great amounts we have to learn how to deal and make the best of it. As such, the space you can spare for your model train will be a key drive in choosing the scale. If you don’t have a great deal of space it’s better to go for the smaller scales, such as N or even Z. Otherwise, probably an O scale will suit your plans. If you live in an apartment, even in a large one, you can be better served with the smaller scales as they will enable you to do more and have more flexibility in the layout. The Model Railroad layout you plan to do As you’ve guessed by now, the layout that you want to build is constrained by the space available, thus it also impacts the scale chosen.
Slide 2: Planning the layout in advance is really important as it will allow you to assess what you can do and what you will need to accomplish it. As an example, some guys can build really small layouts that fit in a kitchen table. The track outline and the detail that you want to put in are, therefore, key decisions. Say that you want to have turnaround curves in a small space. In this case it’s better to choose a smaller scale. If you want to still use bigger scales then, probably, your need to change your mind on the layout and have the trains running back and forth. In the end there’s no one true best scale really. They all serve different proposes. And the hobbyists will love one or another for different reasons. The model scale is probably the most important aspect when you’re a model railroad beginner. You can get more tips about Selecting the Right Scale in Model Train (and other topics on Model Railroading) at Model Railroad Secrets.