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HO scale model trains are 1/87 the size of real trains and 1/2 the size of O scale model trains (HO stands for "half O"). As with O scale trains, the letter "O" in HO is a misnomer since the designation was initially conceived as a zero to identify trains that were smaller in scale than 1. But the use of the letter O rather than the numeral 0 crept into everyday speech among model-train buffs and remains the standard way to refer to HO scale today.
Though first invented in the 1930s, HO scale model trains didn’t become popular in the U.S. and Europe until the 1950s when the scale was heavily promoted by Märklin, Lionel, Athearn, and others. HO never quite gained acceptance in England, though, where larger 00 scale trains still predominate.
HO has two important benefits over trains of larger sizes. First, an HO scale layout of reasonably ambitious detail and complexity can fit on a table rather than requiring an entire room, as is the case with larger scales. Second, HO trains are less expensive to manufacture than OO, O, and other large-scale trains, which makes them more affordable to collectors and enthusiasts alike...
Most HO scale trains run on two-rail tracks using direct current (DC). Adjusting the voltage delivered to the tracks can increase or decrease the speed of the trains; reversing the polarity causes the trains to roll in reverse. Some manufacturers, notably Märklin, produce HO scale trains that operate on alternating current (AC), which is delivered to the train via a conductive third rail.
The gauge used by the majority of HO scale model trains is a standard HO gauge track that’s roughly proportional to the size of the trains running on top of it. But as with the OO scale trains in England that run on HO gauge tracks, HO scale trains are also made to run on a variety of different gauge tracks, which themselves are scaled-down versions of historical railroad track sizes.
Of these variants, the most common is called HOn3. This code denotes an HO scale train running on a track similar to the 3-foot, narrow gauge tracks used by Rocky Mountain railroad operators in the late 19th century.
One of the most enjoyable aspects of HO for collectors is the opportunity to join a local module club. Members of such clubs build modules of predetermined size; each module has a finite length of track. When members get together at model train exhibitions or in private homes, the modules are linked up and trains are run on the resulting massive layout, which often feels like more than just the sum of its parts.
Interviews & Articles
The Beauty of Brass Model Trains
We’ve been operating Dan’s Train Depot, which is the parent company of BrassTrains.com, for about 11 years now. We bought out a ve… [more]
Train Talk with the National Model Railroad Association's Brent Lambert
The NMRA library’s original purpose was to focus on model railroading, but over time we’ve also received donations that have helpe… [more]
Best of the Web (“Hall of Fame”)
HOseeker.net
This site is a treasure trove of HO scale model railroad manufacturer catalogs and other reference information, inv… [read review or visit site]
Airfix Model Railways
Dave McCarthy's Airfix Model Railway treasure trove is an in-depth archive of the company's plastic railway kits fr… [read review or visit site]
Gateway NMRA
This great reference site for model railroaders, from the Gateway (St. Louis) division of the NMRA (National Model … [read review or visit site]
Postwar Lionel Trains Library
Bernie Schulz’s Lionel Trains Library focuses exclusively on postwar Lionel trains and accessories. The site cont… [read review or visit site]
Eric's Trains
Eric Siegel's site displays his collection of O-gauge/O-scale trains, tracks, turntables, and other accessories. A … [read review or visit site]
Tech Model Railroad Club of MIT
MIT's model railroad club, as one might expect, has one of the best websites for learning about how people play wit… [read review or visit site]
Clubs & Associations: Model Trains
- Train Collectors Association
- National Model Railroad Association
- Lionel Collectors Club of America
- Toy Train Operating Society
- National Association of S Gaugers, Inc.
- Train Collectors Society (U.K.)
- Lionel Operating Train Society
Other Great Reference Sites: Model Trains
Top eBay Auctions
Four Vintage Marklin Train Sets From Germany
Railworks L-2503p Long Island Dd-1 Electric Engine Original F/p Rare
Ho Brass North Bank Northern Pacific F-1 2-8-0 F/p No Reserve 
Lemaco Ho-034/1 Prussian Kpev P4 Ex Br 36 Steam Engine Oliver Green
Marklin St 800 3 Piece Streamline Railcar Electric Express Train 1950s
Ho Brass Overland Union Pacific Weed Sprayer Set F/p No Reserve 
Ho Brass Overland Atlantic Coast Line R-1 4-8-4 F/p No Reserve 
Brass Pfm Michigan Ii Shay, Rushton Stack, Excellent.
Overland Omi #3402.1 Brass Union Pacific Power Car #208 Ho Ptd 
Marklin 3015 Ho Scale Crocodile Electric Locomotive In Box No Reserve Vintage
Van Hobbies Brass Model Ho Cpr 2-8-2 P1d,e, Unpainted
Brass Ho Van Hobbies Cpr Pacific 4-6-2 G3d #2300 By Samhongsa 
Pfm United Mich. Cal. Lumber Co. Shay #2 Ho Professionally Detailed/painted Rare
Ho Scale Intermountain Cn Sd40-2w And Other Locomotive Brands
Ho Brass Fujiyama Kettle Valley 5 Truss Rod Passenger Cars Set No Reserve 
Van Hobbies Vh Cpr 4-6-4 Hudson H-1a,b #2800-09/2810-19
Brass Ho Toby Nwsl Alco Minarets 2-8-2t Logging Lumber Steam Engine Loco
Marklin 1-gauge Freight Train Set
Overland Omi #3443.1 Brass Union Pacific Art Lockman Tool Car Ho Ptd 
Brass Van Hobbies Samhongsa Ho Canada Pacific Cp D-10 4-6-0 Steam Engine Loco
Imperial Southern Pacific Ac-9 Custom Painted With Tsunami Soundtraxx Sound
Overland Brass Omi
Ho Brass Amtrak Dash 8-32bwh Cust.paint #510 W/operating Ditch Lights Omi #5402
Ho Brass Westside/japan Rio Grande L-105 4-6-6-4 C/p Chevron No Reserve 
Brass Northwest Shortline 3 Truck Willamette Nr Fsm Shay
Ho Scale Cb&q O-1a Oriental Limited 2-8-2 Burlington Route Brass Engine 
Overland Models Ho Scale Omi 1980 Whitcomb 44de18 At&sf (built 1987) S#28
Brass United Pfm Japan Hon3 2 Truck Shay Narrow Gauge Logging Loco
Brass United Pfm Japan Ho 3 Truck Shay Logging Loco Painted
Hallmark Models Brass Ho Scale Chicago & Northwestern Class R-1 4-6-0 Model
Ho Brass Oriental/samhongsa Union Pacific Mk-1 2-8-2 No Reserve 
Ho Tenshodo Brass Engine & Tender Pfm Crown Atsf "blue Goose" #3460
Nickel Plate Products Npp Ho Scale Zephyr Set #9900 With Add On Car 500
Van Hobbies Vh Cpr 2-10-4 Selkirk T-1c 
Wehrmacht Drg Wwii Ii H0 Railway Kriegslok Br94 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ++
Pfm 2-8-4 Illinois Central 8000 Series
Overland Models/ajin Up 7002 Streamlined 4-8-2 "forty-niner", New In Box, Superb
Key Imports Up #3800 4-6-6-4 Challenger, Samhongsa, Excellent, Unpainted, Boxed 
Pfm/united Hon3 Brass Rio Grande D&rgw 2-8-2 K-28
Overland Omi #3009.1 Union Pacific B & B Tool Car #906125 Ho Ptd 
Athearn Genesis F7a/b - Santa Fe #47l/47a
Athearn Genesis F7a/b - Santa Fe #47c/47b
Ho Scale Large Lot Of 22 Locomotives & 76 Cars. All Locomotives Have Been Tested
Sunset Models Brass Southern Pacific Ac-12 Cab Forward 2-8-8-4
Ho Scale Burlington S-4 Sunset Models 4-6-4 Brass Engine 
Ho Scale Pacific Fast Mail Brass Southern Railway Pacific Steam Locomotive Train
Marklin Br 45 Digital Steam Locomotive & Tender No. 37450 Ho Scale - Mint
Wmc Westside Model Nakamuru Japan D&rgw C-25 2-8-0 Steam Engine Rare
Ho Wmc Brass Engine & Tender
Hon3 Blackstone Bumble Bee Yellow 3 Three Car Passenger Car Set With Box Car New
Ho Scale Fsm Custom Scratch Built Weathered Texaco Service Gas Station Building
Brass Western Maryland Three Truck Shay Steam Engine Unpainted Max Gray
Braodway Ltd Ho Scale Prr I1 Sa, 2-10-0 Steam Engine & Tender Dcc W/ Sound #092
Overland Omi # 3008.1 Union Pacific Tool Car #905011 Ho Ptd 
Pfm United Union Pacific Up 2-8-0 Sagami Can Motor Pro Detailed Paint 
Westside A.t. & S.f. 2-10-10-2 "3000" 
Brass Mts Cns&m Electric Line Car #606 U/p Powered New
Nwsl/toby Alco "minarets" 2-8-2t
Omi - Overland Brass Bnsf Sd75i Warbonnet Locomotive W/sound Good Condition!
Brass Uti-7021 Dodx 72' Heavy Duty Flat Car F/p Bn Green New
Recent News: HO Scale Model Trains
Source: Google News
Things to do in the Myrtle Beach area on May 18
MyrtleBeachOnline.com, May 18thThe Grand Strand Model Railroaders Inc. will have a “Swap Meet,” with HO, O, N, Z scale items and train memorabilia. Also, the club welcomes the public to watch and play with trains 4-7 p.m. Mondays, noon-4 p.m. Wednesdays and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturdays,...Read more
ENT: Railroad fans create scaled versions of towns
The Sudbury Star, May 18thWhen he was 12, Svos bought his first model train set in the popular HO scale, in which the models are built to a ratio of around 1:87.1 next to the real thing. By the time Svos became a member of the Ottawa Valley Associated Railroaders, he was...Read more
Clubs and Hobbies on the Treasure Coast Updated May 18
TCPalm, May 18thTreasure Coast Model Railroad Club: HO scale, DCC model RR. 10 a.m.-noon. 273 S.W. Becker Road, Port St. Lucie. New members are welcome. 772-621-9636; tcmrr.org. TC Chapter, Hearing Loss Association of America: 10:30 a.m. History Room, IRC...Read more
Clubs and Hobbies on the Treasure Coast Updated May 17
TCPalm, May 17thTreasure Coast Model Railroad Club: HO scale, DCC model RR. 10 a.m.-noon. 273 S.W. Becker Road, Port St. Lucie. New members are welcome. 772-621-9636; tcmrr.org. TC Chapter, Hearing Loss Association of America: 10:30 a.m. History Room, IRC...Read more
Things To Do This Weekend
Daily Breeze, May 17thModel Railroad Open House: The Belmont Shore Model Railroad Club and the Angels Gate Hi-Railers Club will host the open house from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and 8 a.m. to noon at Angels Gate Park, 3601 S. Gaffey St., buildings 824 and 848, San Pedro...Read more
Larry Dellard's trains 2
Penn Yan Chronicle-Express (blog), May 14thEmail; Share; Print. Larry Dellard's trains 2. After retirement, Larry Dellard took up a hobby from his childhood, and has made his basement into an extensive and very detailed HO scale model railroad. More Local Videos. Larry Dellard's trains 2 May...Read more
It's Time to Get On Board
Santa Barbara Independent, May 13thOperators from local railroad clubs will be running indoor HO scale model trains and G scale outdoor trains all day. Children and adults of all ages will have a great time! There will be food, raffle prizes and a special scavenger hunt for the kids...Read more
Model trains, batteries and a simple idea - Christian Today Australia
ChristianToday, May 12thIt's an expensive hobby that I just don't have the money to keep going but I do have a little amount of HO and N scale trains that I like to set up and watch the trains go round and round. I had not set up my model trains for a very long time and last...Read more