Whether you are totally new to model trains or you're an experienced hobbyist, the scale of the train you decide to use is very important. For this reason it is good to understand what's involved and what makes the model train scale a deciding factor.
The model trains scale is the first question that you need to ask and answer before you start seriously collecting. This is going to determine how you can expand your railway layout, what locomotives you can buy and use and also what's possible.
One of the first factors that needs to be thought over is the space that you have open to use. If you are limited by available space then you will have to rule out the larger scales unless you want to create very small layout. This is very unlikely, and you will regret the decision later. As such, you will need to think about the smaller scales that you can choose from.
The large model train scales are called O and G. These are also known as garden railroad scales, as they are generally used outdoors in the garden. This is primarily what they are designed for. The tracks that you need to run this scale of model train are very large and made of brass. They are very durable and don't require much care and attention to maintain. All you need is some wire wool in order to ensure they are clean and smooth for the trains to run on.
Next you have the HO scale, which is very popular and chosen by many people. This scale has a ration of 1:87. This is the most popular scale in the world of model trains and is therefore the easiest to find in hobby stores and other model train shops. This is what makes it a very popular choice with newcomers to the hobby.
The HO scale can fit into most people's homes, as it is small enough to accommodate a limited range of space. However, the detail is very good on the locomotives and the wide choice of accessories make this a good choice. You can start of with a small, standard oval track and then expand from that point forward.
If you feel that the HO scale is still too big for your home or spare room, then you will need to look at the next scale down. In this case, I would recommend the N scale. The N scale is named such because it represents 9mm, which is the distance between the rails on the track. As you can imagine from this representation, the track size and the locomotives that run on it are very small.
Although it is small in size, it is also still very popular. In fact, many experienced hobbyists like to move to this scale as it offers many advantages and benefits. One of the benefits is that the locomotives and cars seem to posses more details and accurate placements of features. This makes them even more life like which is hugely important to model train enthusiasts.
Anther big benefit of the N scale is that it is very easy to construct, even for a beginner. As you can see, there are a number of scales to choose from ranging from the very large to the very small.
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