Rail transport modelling scales

Further information: Rail transport modelling scale standards

One of the smallest (Z scale, 1:220) placed on the buffer bar of one of the largest (Live steam, 1:8) model locomotives.

Rail transport modelling utilises a variety of scales (ratio between the real world and the model) to ensure scale models look correct when placed next to each other. Model railway scales are standardized worldwide by many organizations and hobbyist groups. Some of the scales are recognized globally, while others are less widespread and, in many cases, virtually unknown outside their circle of origin. Scales may be expressed as a numeric ratio (eg: 1/87 or 1:87) or as a letter defined in rail transport modelling standards (eg: HO, OO, N, O, G, TT and Z.) The majority of commercial model railway equipment manufacturers base their offerings on NEM or NMRA standards in most popular scales.

Terminology

Although scale and gauge are often confused, Scale means the ratio between a unit of measurement on a model compared with a unit of measurement in corresponding full size prototype, while gauge is the distance between the two running rails of the track. About 60% of the world's railways have a track gauge of 4 ft 8 ¹⁄₂ in (1,435 mm) known as "standard gauge", but there are also narrow gauge railways where the track gauge is less than standard and broad gauge railways where the gauge is wider. In a similar manner, a scale model railway may have several track gauges in one scale.

In addition to the scale and gauge issue, rail transport modelling standards are also applied to other attributes such as catenary, rolling stock wheel profile, loading gauge, curve radii and grades for slopes, to ensure interoperation of scale models produced by different manufacturers. Globally, the two dominating standard organizations are NMRA in North America and MOROP in Europe with their NEM standard.

History of scale standards

Comparative sizes of the most common modelling scales

The first model railways were not built to any particular scale and were more like toys than miniature representations of the full size prototype. Eventually, the authenticity of models grew and benefits of standardization became more obvious. The most significant and the most basic area of standardization was the model track gauge. At first, certain gauges became de facto standards in hobbyist and manufacturer circles. While the first unofficial standard gauges made interchangeability possible, the rolling stock were still only a rough approximation of the full scale prototype.

Eventually the unofficial or manufacturer specific scale standards became more established and were adopted by various model railway standardization bodies such as NMRA and MOROP. However, despite of existing scale and gauge standards they were very often poorly implemented in design and manufacturing processes with commercial manufacturers before the World War II. The conformity to scale standards grew strongly in the 1950s and 1960s when many new model railway accessories manufacturers were born and to whom the standard conformity was vital.

For most standardized model railway scales, the nominal scale reduction ratio is not applied systematically to all the components of a scale model railway, and normally the standards give scale specific design guidelines for all the scales they cover. Reliability of operations requires that certain parts be made oversize. A typical example is the wheel flanges, which must be proportionally higher in smaller scales to ensure that lighter and smaller models do not derail easily as they would if universal flange proportions were used in all the scales. For instance, a Z scale wheel flange as defined in the NEM standard should be about 9% of the scale nominal standard gauge (6.5 mm/0.256 in), whereas the same standard gives only 5% for 45 mm (1.772 in) standard gauge I scale.

While standards that put the emphasis on operational reliability satisfy most users and the industry, certain groups of dedicated hobby modellers who were dissatisfied with the scale inaccuracies in the name of reliability have developed alternative scale standards where prototype proportions are maintained to the extent possible. These alternative standards are called finescale standards. Finescale standards are very much restricted to discerning hobbyists since, by definition, finescale model railways are generally less reliable and more expensive to manufacture, which makes them unsuitable for mass-production products.

Mixing of scales

It is possible to use different scales of models together effectively, especially to create a false sense of depth (referred to as "forced perspective"). Scales close to each other are also hard to tell apart with the naked eye. An onlooker seeing a 1:43 model car next to a 1:48 scale model train might not notice anything wrong, for example.

Some common examples of mixing scales are:

• a foreshortening technique using N scale (1:160) model trains in the background (distance) with H0 scale (1:87) in the foreground.
• mixing 1:43 scale, 1:48 scale and 1:50 scale die-cast models with 0 scale model trains.
• using Matchbox cars (1:64 to 1:100) with H0 scale and S scale.
• mixing 00 scale British model trains with H0 scale models.
• using 1:144 scale die-cast models with N scale.

Scales

Name	Size/Scale	Gauge in mm	Comments	Picture
Grand Scale	1:4 and up	254 mm and up	254 mm (10 in). Several large scales exist, but are not strictly model railroading gauges. Instead, they are used mostly in commercial settings, such as amusement park rides.
Live steam	1:8	184 or 190	Ridable, outdoor gauge, named according to the gauge in inches, and scale in inches per foot, for example 7 1⁄4 in (184 mm) gauge, 1.5 inch scale. The gauge is 7 1⁄2 in (190.5 mm) in the western parts of US and Canada, where the scale sometimes is 1.6 inch for diesel-type models. Private and public (club) tracks exist in many areas, among them the world's largest model railroad, Train Mountain[1], with over 25 miles (40 km) of tracks. Powerful locomotives can pull 50 or more passengers. Narrow gauge models in this gauge can be as large as 1:3 scale.
Live steam	1:12	127 or 121	Ridable, outdoor gauge. The gauge is 5 in (127 mm) in Europe, but 4 3⁄4 in (121 mm) in US and Canada. For standard gauge prototypes at 5 inch, the scale is 1-1/16 inch per foot or approximately 1:11.3. Together with the 1:8 scale above, this is a popular scale for backyard railroads. Pulling power is enough for more than a dozen passengers on level tracks.
SE scale 7/8 inch	1:13.71	45	Models of 2 ft  (610 mm) gauge prototypes using 45 mm (1.772 in) track. Used by folks modelling the Maine 2-footers, but increasingly also by anyone interested in very large scale models of industrial prototypes, including the many Welsh slate mines and other European operations. Although this is mostly a scratch-builders scale, there is an increasing supply of kits, parts and figures. Some modelers using 7/8 scale operate on 32 mm (1.260 in) track, used to replicate 18 in (457 mm) gauge industrial lines found in Great Britain and other countries.
Live steam	1:16	89	Ridable, outdoor gauge. The gauge is 3 1⁄2 in (89 mm) the world over.
gauge 3	1:22.6	63.5	One of the original model railroad scales standardized in 1909, a minority interest, which is undergoing a revival in the UK and in Germany (where it is known as Spur II). 63.5 mm (2 1⁄2 in) gauge 3 track is commercially available, as are a growing number of locomotive and rolling stock kits . The European standard of 1:22.5 scale trains on 45 mm (1.772 in) track is called IIm scale, as per European narrow gauge naming conventions or G scale, its popular name.
Live steam	1:24	63	At 2 1⁄2 in (63.5 mm), this is the smallest of the "ridable" gauges. Only one or two passengers can be pulled. This was one of the first popular live steam gauges, developed in England in the early 1900s, though now less popular than the larger gauges it still has a following. A model can normally be lifted by one person.
Wide gauge	1:26.59 or 1:28.25	53.975	Called Standard Gauge by Lionel, who trademarked the name. Other manufacturers used the same gauge and called it Wide Gauge. Not widely produced after 1940. Gauge No. 2 using track of gauge 2 in (50.8 mm) was one of the standard model gauges in 1909.
16 mm scale	1:19.05	32	This scale was first developed in the UK in the 1950s to depict 2 ft  (610 mm) narrow gauge prototypes utilising 32 mm (1.260 in) or "O gauge" track and wheels, but really took off in popularity during the 1960s and 70s. Originally, it was mostly used as an indoor modelling scale, but has also developed as a popular scale for garden railways of narrow gauge prototypes. Some manufacturers that produce models depicting North American 2 ft  (610 mm) narrow gauge prototypes have also adopted this scale for use alongside the near-compatible Fn3 (15 mm or 1: 20.32) scale on 45 mm (1.772 in) track already popular in the US. Both electric, battery and live steam propulsion is used to power model locomotives in this scale, and is supported by a growing range of commercially available ready-to-run models, kits and parts.
Fn3 scale	1:20.3	45	Similar to G Scale below, this scale also uses 45 mm (1.772 in) gauge track, and is used for both indoor and garden railways of narrow gauge prototypes. The scale of 1:20.3 was developed to depict North American 3 ft  (914 mm) gauge trains in exact proportion to their correct track gauge whilst using 45 mm (1.772 in) gauge model track. It equates to 15 mm = 1 foot (1 : 20.32) scale. Increasingly popular for both electric and live steam propulsion of model locomotives, with an ever growing range of commercially available ready-to-run models, kits and parts. Fn3 scale, together with G scale and ½ inch (1:24) scale, are commonly and collectively referred to as "Large Scale" by many modellers.
G scale	various	45	(Originally from the German groß (meaning "big"), now also G as in Garden) G is generally used for garden railways of narrow gauge prototypes, and uses the same track gauge as 1 gauge, below. The scale ranges aproximatively from 1/19 to 1/29, according to the size and gauge of the prototype.
IIm scale	1:22.5	45	Similar to G scale above, this scale also uses 45 mm (1.772 in) gauge track, and is used for both indoor and garden railways of narrow gauge prototypes. It depicts 1 metre gauge trains in exact proportion to their correct track gauge.
½ inch scale	1:24	45	Similar to G Scale above, this scale also runs on 45 mm (1.772 in) gauge track, and is generally used for both indoor and garden railways of narrow gauge prototypes. The scale of 1:24 in combination with 45 mm (1.772 in) track is an attempt to model North American and UK 3 ft  (914 mm) narrow gauge or 3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm) narrow gauge trains in better proportion to the rails they run on.
Gauge 2	1:29	50.4/45	The dominant scale used in the United States for models of "standard gauge" trains running on 45 mm (1.772 in) track, even though 1:32 is more prototypically correct. 1:29 represents standard gauge using 2 in (50.8 mm) gauge track, the original gauge 2. This fell into disuse as gauge 1 at 1.75 inch was very close. Some manufacturers kept the scale for the models but running them on slightly narrow gauge track.
1 gauge 3/8 inch scale	1:32	45	This large scale, once rarely seen indoors in modern use but frequently used for modelling standard gauge trains as garden railways, is making a come-back. The Japanese firm of Aster Hobby [2] offers ready-to-run gas-fired livesteam models. Accucraft Trains <http://accucraft.com> also offer finely crafted livesteam models in this scale. Gauge 1 has seen something of a remarkable revival in recent years after decades of near extinction commercially, with a growing number of smaller UK manufacturers offering electrically powered and live steamlocomotives and rolling stock in ready to run, parts and kit form. Some manufacturers offer so-called Gauge 1 items in 1:30.48 scale (10 mm = 1 foot) that also run on 45 mm (1.772 in) gauge track. Gauge 1 also has its own international association [3].
L gauge	1:38 (nominal)	38	Unofficial designation of toy trains built from LEGO. Equipment can be built to differing widths in relation to the track gauge, and are becoming increasingly popular among persons who grew up with the building toy system.
0 scale	1:43.5 (Great Britain and France), 1:45 (Germany, Russia and Czech), 1:48 (US)	32	Name originally was '0' (zero), '1' through '6' were already in use for larger scales. In the US, this is frequently a considered a 'toy train' scale rather than for scale modellers. However, though toy trains use this gauge, they are often nowhere near scale. Scale modellers have begun to use this gauge for their scale models, resulting in a two separate groups of modellers within this "scale": "hi-railers", those who run toy train equipment on oversized track and scale modellers, who run scale equipment on scale track. A limited few have been able to combine both. Nowadays, even high-railers have the option of extremely precise scale models and track. Lionel, LLC, MTH Electric Trains, and Atlas O [4] are major manufacturers of this scale. While in Russia and former Soviet countries is used gauge of 1520 mm (4 ft 11 5 / 6), but for the models, the norms of standards NEM. Therefore, the gauge for the models is 32 mm, rather than about 34. In this model, the rolling stock are made in scale 1:45.[5]	1:45 (0)
Proto:48	1:48	29.90	These are to the same scale as US O gauge but are accurate scale models in all dimensions including track and wheels.
On30	1:48	16.5	Narrow-gauge 0-scale models running on H0 gauge track.
ScaleSeven	1:43.5	33	Exact scale version of British O gauge.
Z0 gauge	1:60	24	Got attention in Germany around 1950 as an attempt of a scale between O and HO. Z0 means "Zwischen-Null" (between O).
S gauge	1:64	22.42	Originally called "H-1" because it was half the size of Gauge 1 (1:32), the "S" name is derived from 'S'ixty-fourth. In the US, American Flyer toy trains used this gauge, but it is also used for more precise modelling and supported by several manufacturers. In the UK, S scale modelling is largely the preserve of a dedicated few hand-building models or using a small number of available kits and parts, mostly depicting standard gauge prototypes but also narrow and broad gauge subjects too. The UK-based S Scale Model Railway Society is the oldest scale support society in the world, being first established in 1946. In the United States, S scale has a small but growing following in the modelling of standard gauge railroads, especially those of the 1940s and 1950s era, a focus that is supported by S Helper Service [6] and American Models [7], among others. This scale is also popular in North America to depict 3 ft  (914 mm) narrow gauge prototypes (using dedicated 14.28 mm (0.562 in) gauge track and known as "Sn3"), and elsewhere to depict the 3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm) narrow gauge railways (using H0 scale 16.5 mm/0.650 in gauge track and known as "Sn3½") of South Africa, Australia and New Zealand.	1:64 (S)
00 gauge	1:76.2	16.5	This scale is today the most popular modelling scale in the UK, although it once had some following in the US (on 19 mm/0.748 in gauge track) before WW2. 00 or "Double-Oh", together with EM gauge and P4 standards are all to 4 mm scale as the scale is the same, but the track standards are incompatible. 00 uses the same track as HO (16.5 mm/0.650 in gauge), which is not correct for this slightly larger scale, but it is the most common British standard for ready-to-run trains. In Britain there exists The Double 0 Gauge Association to promote this scale. Narrow gauge modelling of 3 ft  (914 mm) prototypes ("00n3" on 12 mm/0.472 in track) was once popular although now less so, but the depiction of approximately 2 ft  (610 mm) or 2 ft 6 in (762 mm) prototypes ("OO9" on 9 mm/0.354 in track) has a greater following with a flourishing supply of kits and parts from many small UK-based suppliers.	1:76.2 (00)
EM gauge	1:76.2	18.2	EM gauge was an earlier attempt in the 1950s to improve the inaccuracies of 00 gauge, with wider, more accurate track at 18 mm (0.709 in) between the rails, but still narrower than the correct gauge. The gauge was later widened to 18.2 mm (0.717 in). The UK-based EM Gauge Society exists to supports modellers of these standards.
P4 gauge	1:76.2	18.83	P4 was created in the 1960s as the most accurate possible standards for modelling in 4 mm scale. Supported by the UK based Scalefour Society.
H0 scale	1:87	16.5	This is the most popular model railway scale in the world, although not in the United Kingdom. The name is derived from "Half 0" and the European (NEM) standards define the scale as exactly 1:87, the US NMRA as 1:87.1 (3.5 mm : 1 ft). There is a vast selection of ready-to-run, kits and parts for locomotives, rolling stock and scenic items from many manufacturers depicting trains from all around the world. During the 1970s, companies such as Tyco Toys and Life-Like made cheap, oversized, underdetailed toy trains that ran on H0 scale track, and were sold in packages called train sets, and were built only for speed, much like a slot car set. This term eventually carried over to the model railroad industry.
Proto:87	1:87	16.5	An alternative finescale standard for HO, with wheels and track that correspond with the prototype's, taking its lead from the establishment of P4 standards in the UK.
HOn3	1:87	10.5	H0 scale using 3-scale-foot narrow-gauge track.
HOn3-1/2 scale, H0m in Europe	1:87	12.00	H0 scale using 12 mm (0.472 in) gauge track to represent Cape gauge used as "standard" gauge in many African countries, New Zealand, Queensland, Japan, etc. European H0m ('metre gauge') models represent prototype gauges ranging between 850 and 1,250 mm (33.5 and 49.2 in).
H0e scale	1:87	9	European H0 Scale narrow gauge models using 9 mm (0.354 in) (the same as N scale) track to represent prototypes with gauge between 650 and 850 mm (25.6 and 33.5 in), particilarly 750 mm (2 ft 5 1⁄2 in) and 760 mm (2 ft 5 7⁄8 in) gauge.
3 mm scale	1:101.1	12 and 14.2	A UK version of TT introduced by the firm Tri-ang in the late 1950s (then known as "TT-3") and supported by several other firms offering kits and parts. Commercial production by Tri-ang petered out in the late 1960s, but "The 3 mm Society" was established in 1965 and a dedicated membership has kept this UK scale alive. TT-3 was originally designed to run on TT's 12 mm (0.472 in) gauge track, but latterly the more accurate gauge of 14.125 mm (0.556 in) (popularly known as "14.2") has been adopted by some seeking more accuracy. Like the intermediate EM gauge standard in 4 mm scale, some modellers in 3 mm scale developed 13.5 mm (0.531 in) track gauge, but this has largely been superseded by 14.2 mm (0.559 in) gauge. Both 3 ft  (914 mm) narrow gauge (using 9 mm/0.354 in gauge track) and 5 ft 3 in (1,600 mm) broad gauge (using 15.76 mm/0.620 in gauge track) are also modelled in 3 mm scale in the UK.
TT scale	1:120	12	Name stands for 'Table Top'. It is quite popular in Europe, particularly in Germany, especially in East Germany (former DDR), has some popularity in countries of former USSR and a small following in the United States.
N scale	1:148	9	As with 1:160 N scale below, the name is derived from its Nine millimeter track gauge, but the scale is a slightly larger at 2.0625 mm = 1 foot (1 : 147.78). Developed as a UK commercial version of N scale in the late 1960s, models are restricted to depicting UK prototypes. Although nominally to 1:148 scale, some manufacturers took significant liberties with exact scale to suit production limitations. Despite the collapse of Graham Farish and its subsequent sale to Bachmann Industries there is a growing choice of ready-to-run models available. A few commercial kits and parts to fit N scale loco mechanisms and wheels are offered by the UK firm Peco to enable narrow gauge prototypes to be modelled.
N scale	1:150	9	N scale in Japan is normally built to this scale, even though most rail lines are 3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm) (narrow gauge). Because the Shinkansen lines are 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in) (standard gauge), models of these are usually built to the scale of 1:160.
2 mm scale	1:152	9.42	British finescale standard, older than N scale, being first used as long ago as 1927 with photos and articles published in the model press. Became more popular in the 1950s, with The 2 mm Scale Association established by 1960 to promote and support modellers in this tiny scale, and it remains very active in the UK to this day. In recent years the finer track and wheel standards of 2 mm scale (but not the gauge) have also been adapted for use in 1:160 N scale (on 9 mm/0.354 in gauge) in Europe and called "fiNe", and is supported by the FREMO modelling organisation. Since the 1950s, incredibly, 2 mm scale has been used to depict narrow gauge prototypes on various track gauges down to 4 mm (0.157 in), but almost everything has to be hand-made, unless some Z scale parts are used.
N scale	1:160	9	Name derived from Nine millimeter; this is the second most popular scale worldwide. N scale developed by the German firm of Arnold Rapido in the early 1960s, and was rapidly adopted worldwide as the most popular small-scale modelling choice. In recent years, finer profile wheels and track have been developed by some manufacturers (although the gauge and standards have remained the same). Huge range of ready-to-run models available as well as supporting kits and parts. With the introduction of an even smaller Z scale in 1972, the modelling of narrower gauge prototypes has been possible using that scale's locomotive mechanisms, track and wheels. In North America the depiction of 3 ft  (914 mm) gauge railroads in N scale using Z scale track is known as "Nn3"; in Europe, metre gauge modelling in N scale is known as "Nm".	U.S. model of an N scale (1:160) 2-6-6-2 shown with a pencil for size
Z scale	1:220	6.5	Until recently the smallest commercially available model railway scale, introduced by the German firm of Märklin in 1972 depicting German and other European prototypes. In North America, Micro Trains and others have introduced a range of US prototype models. On both continents, a growing range of kits and scenic accessories are still becoming available to help increase its popularity. In Europe a few enterprising manufacturers have developed even smaller metre gauge models (but still in 1:220 scale) known as "Zm" on 4.5 mm (0.177 in) gauge track.
ZZ scale	1:300	4.8	Introduced by Bandai, ZZ scale was very briefly the smallest commercially available model railway available. As of 2005 only three Shinkansen trains are available and limited other items. The trains are battery-powered and run on plastic rail. Bandai makes no accessories for this scale.
T scale	1:450 1:480	3	Announced by Eishindo of Japan in 2006 (and finally released for sale in 2008), T Gauge is the smallest commercially available model railroading scale in the world. Several trains are available, complete with track, as well as many accessories including buildings, people, trees and vehicles. The trains run on metal rails and controlled by a power supply. Because the Shinkansen lines are 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in) (standard gauge), models of these are usually built to the scale of 1:480.

See also

• National Model Railroad Association
• Normen Europäischer Modelleisenbahnen
• Rail transport modelling
• List of scale model sizes

References

1. ^ Train Mountain
2. ^ Aster Hobby
3. ^ The Gauge One Model Railway Association
4. ^ Atlas O
5. ^ Б.В. Барковсков, К. Прохазка, Л.Н. Рагозин. Модели железных дорог(B.V. Barkovskov, K. Prochazka, LN Ragozin. Model Railways), ISBN-10: 5-277-00181-6; page 221(Russian)
6. ^ American Flyer Compatible S scale model trains from the Showcase Line
7. ^ American Flyer Compatible S gauge model trains from American Models

External links

• http://modelrailroadscale.com – Shows examples and models of model railroads
• http://www.spikesys.com/Modelrr/scales.html – Contains more specifics about some of the scales
• http://modeltrains.about.com – Online resource for model railroaders
• The Gauge One Model Railway Association
• The Gauge 3 Society
• Mundo Ferroviario, Web portal dedicated to a modelling in HO scale (Spanish).