Model Train Wiring Article

HO Scale Model Railroad

The HO scale model railroad was introduced in the 1930s in the United Kingdom to a lukewarm welcome. At that time the OO scale model was thriving in the UK and the HO, being incompatible, did not go over very well. It was a different story in continental Europe and the United States however. In both of these areas, the HO scale railroad took off and grew in popularity at a fast pace to the status of the favored scale among collectors today. Ho scale became so popular in the United States that manufacturers of other scales such as Lionel and American Flyer broke tradition and began creating HO scale trains.

One reason the HO scale model railroad became so poplar is because of its balanced size. It is smaller than the OO which takes up a lot of space. Therefore, a model train enthusiast could build a more elaborate layout in the same space as if he had built an OO railroad. On the other hand, the HO scale model railroad pieces are large enough that they show minute detail. HO scale is set at 1:87 which means that a HO train is 1/87th the size of a real train.

Another reason that the HO scale model railroad is so popular is because it is one of the least expensive to get into. The reason for this is because the HO scale is so popular that many companies produce supplies for this scale and therefore competition has brought prices to an affordable level.

The HO scale is also popular because there are just such a wide variety of supplies available in the form of scenery, layouts, and miscellaneous pieces. This makes it much easier for beginners to get started and opens up doors to creating wonderfully imaginative layouts.

Today, HO scale model railroads are the most popular and most widely supported scale around the world expect in the United Kingdom where OO continues to reign. The HO scale is widely supported and supplies are readily available from many offline and online merchants. A favored company among HO scale train enthusiasts is Walthers which offers a catalog as well as a website for ordering supplies.

Even though the HO scale model railroad got off to a shaky start, it has proven to withstand the test of time and become more popular with each passing year. It is popular among those new to model railroading and seasoned model train enthusiasts alike.