Clothing
+ Fashion		Jewelry +
Watches		Home +
Furniture		 Pottery 
+ Glass		Art +
 Photos 		Paper +
  Books  		Music +
Movies		Toys +
Games		Sports +
Outdoors		Ads +
  Signs  		Eras +
Themes

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.

About our sources | Got something to add?

▼ Expand to read the full article ▼

Show & Tell - Share Your Stuff!

» See all HO scale Show & Tells

Interviews & Articles

An Interview With Brass Model Train Collector Dan Glasure

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]

An Interview With National Model Railroad Association Library Director 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

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

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

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

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'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

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

Other Great Reference Sites: Model Trains

Top eBay Auctions

Showing 60. See all 1107 by  highest bid • most watched • completed
Nmj Superline Norway Nsb 15c 140 Steam Engine Gray Blue Scheme N Lemaco RareHo Brass Precision Norfolk & Western "a" 2-6-6-4 F/p No ReserveHo Brass Precision Northern Pacific Z-5 2-8-8-4 F/p No ReservePhilotrain (netherlands) Sbb Tee Ram (ontario Northlander) 501 - 502 Nib31806 Marklin Ho Hard Limited 3 Bavarian Steam Loco Set Digital Sounds New 2011 Brass Ho Overland Omi Ajin New York Central Nyc 'hudson' J1b (4-6-4) F/p -new- Joe Paterno / Penn State Train SetPsm Brass Ho Scale Victorian A Class A-85 V/line Orange / GreyCil Challenger Imports Ho Brass Prr Pennsylvania M-1b 4-8-2 Mountain With 250p75Marklin Dl800 Version 2 Olive Green Vintage Germany 800 700 1940 1950 MHo Westside Santa Fe Big 3Hon3 Brass West Side #15 Shay, Dcc, Lights, Sound, PaintHon3 Brass Precision Westside Lumber Co. #3 Heisler No ReserveNew Ho Crusader Locomotive & Tndr In Brass By AjinOverland Brass Ho Model Train Up Sd45 Diesel New In Box-price LoweredMarklin H0 R700 / MBnsf 1227 3gs21b Genset Diesel Overland Brass Ho Fp DccMth Ho Train Up 4-8-8-4 Big Boy Steam Engine Sounds 3.0 Dcc Mib 80-3191-1 Ho Cn Canadian National Overland Omi Brass Sd70m-2 Dcc Locomotive NewSouthern Ry Ho Psc Brass Southerner 7 Car Passenger SetHo Brass Up 4-8-8-4 Big Boy Steam Engine By Tenshodo Union Pacific Brass Westside Models Nyc Super Hudson J-3a 4-6-4 No. 5450 Mint Nr FsmHo Modern Scratch Built Harrahs Casino Tower Skyscraper, Landscaped + More Nice!Dtd - Ho Brass Psc Pickering Lumber Corp #11 Pacific Coast 3-truck ShayBrass Omi Milwaukee Road Ef Bobtail Center Unit, Optional Pans 92 Run MintHo Brass Overland Canadian National T4a 2-10-2 #4306Westside Katsumi Atsf At&sf Santa Fe 2-10-10-2 Runs Well Dtd Dyers Train DumpMHo Brass Alco Models Norfolk & Western N&w Jawn Henry Steam TurbineBrass Ho Precision Scale Psc Pennsylvania Prr Gg-1 F/p Tuscan Red Multi-stripesUnited States Army 6501 3gs21b Genset Diesel Overland Brass Ho Fp DccMMth Ho 80-3152-1 Up 4-12-2 9000 Steam Engine W/dcs, Dcc, & Proto3Custom Brass Ho Scale Norfolk & Western Lc-1 Electric Train #2502Dtd - Fujiyama Up Union Pacific 4-8-4 Fef-3 #835 Coal Ho Scale Brass Model TrainHon3 Brass Precision White Pass & Yukon Ge Cl90 Diesel F/p No ReserveHo Overland Omi Brass Up Sd90mac-hNickel Plate Road H-6o Mikado 2-8-2 Custom Pfm Brass HoUnion Pacific/ Ho Brass/ Fef-1 4-8-4Athearn G9153 Genesis Ho Union Pacific 4-8-8-4 Big Boy Steam Train Loco #4006 LnCil Prr 18 Roomette PullmanBrass Hallmark V.i.p. Rock Island 4-8-4 Steam Locomotive (mib)Key Imports Ho Brass N&w K-2 Streamlined Mountain 4-8-2 Locomotive - UnpaintedHo Brass Overland Models Western Marylamd 1-2 2-10-0 Steam Engine Super Nice!!!!6650 Mth Ho 2-8-4 Berkshire Steam Engine ~ Erie 3331Kumata Van Hobbies Brass Ho Canadian Pacific Cp Cpr Passenger Car Set Of 3 NewKey Imports Samhongsa Srr Southern Ss-1 2-10-2 Dtd Dyer's Train Dump Rare!Ho Brass Alco Models Prr Pennsylvania Railroad Bp-20 Passenger Diesel Loco SetHo Scale Lot - 60 Walthers 948-8801 Code 83 Switch #4 Lh Turnout - DccGreat Northern Gn 5001 Z-1 Electric Oriental Samhongsa Brass Ho Custom PaintNew Brass Ho Model Traction Supply Co. Open Bench TrolleyD&rgw Class K-37 Mikado 2-8-2 Hon3 ScaleDtd Omi Willamette 3 Truck Shay Type Logging Engine.medco #4. Dyer's Train DumpAthearn Genesis 4-8-8-4 Big Boy #4019 G9154 W? Dcc And Sound Union PacificHo Tenshodo Cpr Royal Hudson 4-6-4 # 2860Brass Wasatch Ho Union Pacific Mow Conversion, Omi, Overland QualityBrass Wasatch Ho Union Pacific Mow Conversion, Omi, Overland Quality, #2Fsm Fine Scale Miniatures G. Wilikers Machinery Wholesaler Nib Mint8 Atsf Santa Fe Super Chief Passenger Cars Walthers Plated! Dbt [f3xpsd]Erie (usra) Class R-3 2-10-2 #4220 From Sunset
»» Get our weekly HO Scale Model Trains email
Right now on eBay



Recent News: HO Scale Model Trains

Source: Google News

Alderfer Auction Company
Antiques and the Arts Online, February 8th

Single Owner Brass/HO Train Auction Outstanding collection of brass HO scale trains, much of which is Reading, Amtrak Conrail, Lehigh Valley and PRR. 225+ lots! Reading Crusader, Gem models Reading T-1's, many brass diesels, NJ international budd cars,...Read more

Party to celebrate Kelso train depot's 100th anniversary
Longview Daily News, February 7th

The grand prizes are two HO train layouts valued at about $110 each. Other prizes include railroad-related DVDs, food prizes by local restaurants, and companion-rides-free rail passes good for the Cascades rail corridor between Eugene, Ore.,...Read more

Launch of Bestmodeltrainideas.com
SBWire (press release), February 7th

One section of the site is dedicated to HO model train layouts. HO train models refer to the size of model railroading and trains that was introduced in the 1950s. The original size used for model sets was known as the O scale; however, people wanted...Read more

Conducting magic
The Register-Guard, January 28th

For the show at the mall, the club teams up with other model-train groups to provide models of small, medium and large size, identified by hobbyists as HO, O and G scale model trains. The HO scale models are the smallest on display...Read more

New layouts will operate at Model Railroad Days
Santa Maria Times, January 22nd

A new addition this year will be the Santa Maria Valley Railway Historical Museum's operating 15-foot-long HO-scale module depicting the original Santa Maria Valley Railroad train yard. Oceano Depot's recently restored 1907 wooden caboose, which houses...Read more

Bachmann Trains Create Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus Model ...
BSCkids, January 21st

Bachmans Trains are making model versions of the Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus trains. I think adults as well as children will enjoy the Bachman's G-Scale and HO Scale trains. These train sets bring back the excitement and wonderment...Read more

Tonawandas - Model Railroad Club of Buffalo to showcase models at the Boys and ...
Metrowny.com, January 19th

Visitors will have the opportunity to tour the facility and take notice of the club's 1200-square-foot HO-scale layout, which is set in Western New York in the mid-1970s, and the 600-square-foot O-scale model railroad layout, which is set in the...Read more

model train show chugs into Lehi
Deseret News, January 18th

Burr and his wife have spent nearly 18 months creating an HO-scaled train and surrounding landscape on two large tables. The display includes a 25-pound mountain with tunnels, a stream, a lake — complete with the "Loc Wes" monster — and scale...Read more

Model Trains

Scale
Makers
Types
Roads
Other
suggest a category

See also

Share