What is the Best Scale of Model Trains for YOU?

I look at some ideas that might help you decide what the best scale and gauge of model trains is for you. You might think you want to use HO scale trains, but perhaps O gauge, N scale or Z scale are better matches for you.

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Music: Epidemic Sound

[fredashay]

I model in HO, and I want to put a T scale "garden railroad" around a house on my HO model railroad.

[TheSeizureSmiley]

I went with N scale because the trains I liked are available in either N or HO scale (primarily Japanese trains). Since N scale is the more affordable one I went with that instead of HO.

[kentbarnes]

That was a fun diagram. I'm pretty sure it's N scale for me. Thanks

[CallicoJackracham]

For me the choice was easy, since i inherited a display cabinet filled to the brim with H0 scale trains and rolling stock (Marklin and Fleischmann brands) from my grandfather (who also made that display cabinet from scratch by himself)

[ticklishhoneybee]

This went a lot better than I'd hoped, as a lot of people make the mistake of thinking "big space means go for a big scale, small space means go for a small scale" but that often isn't what works for an individual. So I liked that you covered small layouts in large scales, and large layouts in small scales. However, the idea that you should go for a larger scale if your eyesight's failing you, is also not necessarily the case: I've known people who have gone from 0 scale to N scale due to diminishing eyesight, for the reason that less detail is needed in smaller scales. With remote magnetic couplers in particular, you're not fiddling with the train, you're just watching it; so it's easier to put together a lower-detail scene that looks right in a smaller scale, than it is to worry about getting the correct grab irons, rivet patterns, and such in a larger scale.

Speaking of large scales, I know some people like to claim that G is for Garden, but it's not (though it's probably been said enough in the US that it now has that meaning there). G is originally for Gross, German for Big, as in Lehmann Gross Bahn - Lehmann's Big Train - LGB.

[christtking]

Lets nit forget a very important scale, TT!

[Trains-With-Shane]

For me it's N and HO scales. If I had the space i'd model HO but currently limited to N scale for that reason. H.O. scale just seems to have the best support when it comes to equipment availability. Types of locomotives and rolling stock, different roads, etc. made by the most manufacturers. DCC support is easier especially in regards to trying to mount a capacitor bank or keep alive. The details are great. etc. N scale is starting to get there but still has a ways to go.

[diecast_MikeEspo]

I had HO for many years, but I did not like the fact of the trains always falling off the rails on curves .
Now I have 5 different sets of O Scale, and I can run 4 sets at one time .
I am looking for a used Z Scale Train set to start with.
I never had a Z Scale .
But the set I want to buy, used must have everything from the start to finish so I can just set it up .
So that is where I am at now .
Mike .

[chriscicoski]

Thanks Steve - this was great. I love flow charts so that perspective really helped me get a clearer sense of the decision making. Just had a new house built and I have been trying to sort out space and hadn't even given G a thought. I may have to re-visit that as our outdoor space is a blank canvas at this point. And then maybe an N layout in the garage for those wintry days. Lots to consider.

[BobDiaz]

I get the feeling that for a majority of the people it should be N or HO.

Before I moved, I had a nice HO layout with a Z scale mini train running in the park. The people riding it were HO scale.

[ErickC]

Eh, with respect to inside vs outside, realistically, I think even HO is borderline too big for indoor layouts unless you either have a huge house or want a super-compressed layout.

[ShukakuTheCrazy]

I went HO, but i love my few N scale items. I like watching trains run, so i have a double loop with 2 industries and an exchange track. Its a simple 4x8, but it works. I like to keep my trains to a modest 3-4 cars, depending on their size.

[MarksGoneWicked]

I have N scale (still figuring out my plan), and G scale (1:22.5, 1:24, 1:27, 1:29) mostly 1:29 scale.

[crockett]

I have had and modeled every scale for over 60 years, even 7 1/2" gauge!. So for the last 3 years I have found that ON30 is the coolest!.

[ingomoba]

My favorite ist scale TT, 1:120. It’s in middle from N and HO. I was born in the GDR. And we had a little bit layout in scale N. The most layouts was in HO and in TT. TT was founded in the USA, in the 1940er.
Today, I have also scale G in my Garden. ( sorry by my bad English 😳😅)

[tony]

Something that you didnt mention which I think is really important to consider for the smaller scales, is that N-scale equipment (mainly locomotives) perform wayyy better than Z-scale. Even the the highest quality AZL locos in Z-scale are nowhere near the smoothness of N-scale and larger scales. They also crap out way faster and AZL will not repair their locos. So if you buy a $200 Genesis p42 loco and run it for a year and the motor is at the end of it's life and making whining sounds, you don't really have a lot of options, and I literally just throw my old Z-scale locos into the trash when they get like that. However, with N-scale the locos not only last way longer, but Kato will let you send them back and you can pay them to do repairs which is awesome because you can run your locos freely knowing that motors can repaired or replaced in the future (FYI not on every single model of loco, but they will work on most). Basically I would say that for someone to choose Z-scale... they must really be sure they want to be in that 1:220 scale and accept all the many shortcomings. If you are on the fence between Z and N... definitely go with N-scale and make your life easier/better, in my humble opinion haha.

[rBoxYT]

G Scale: Want something big enough to see, for gardens.
O Scale: Moderate space, just want to have fun.
HO Scale: Want O scale without taking up much space.
TT Scale: Want an in between of HO and N, little space, want N scale without being too small.
N Scale: Little space, long trains, don't want to spend too much money.
Z Scale: Little space and long trains, good for desktops.
T Scale: Long desktop trains.

[Allan_aka_RocKITEman]

FWIW: Some years ago a co-worker told me they were scales smaller than _"N."_

I had no idea, so I looked online. I was _surprised._

[WWIIREBEL]

I am predominantly HO (1:87) scale. I would go to N scale, but nobody makes the type of trains I'd like to model/operate.

[loispadgett]

Can't wait to see what you do in T scale. If I had the room I would run all scales but last don't have a hundred acres to put the warehouses I would need. Thanks for sharing.
GOD BLESS 🚂💖🚂💖🚂💖🚂💖