Comparing Model Train Scales: T, Z, N, TT, HO, S, O, G Scales

Comparing the sizes of all the major model railroad scales from T Gauge to G Gauge (I left OO scale at 1:76 out of this one since I didn’t have a small diesel in that scale, and it isn’t that far off HO, plus uses the same gauge track as HO).

Want to help support the channel? Buy me a cup of coffee!

Note that while I have amazon affiliate links for most products, often you can find them at hobby retailers for cheaper. Note that as an Amazon affiliate, I receive a commission on any sales I make through those links.

TRAIN SETS:

KATO TRACK:

CONTROLLERS:

LAYOUT KIT:

TOOLS:

More Items:

As an Amazon affiliate, I receive a commission on any products purchased through Amazon links.

[avlisk]

You may accuse me of being pedantic, but I think it's worthwhile to differentiate among all the G gauge scales. I got burnt early on when I got into large scale, buying what was advertised as 'G scale". When I put the trains together, it was obvious that they weren't all the same scale. I have learned that I model in "A" scale, or 1:29, which is most of USA Trains models, (but not all, so be careful). Almost all of large scale runs on 45mm gauge track, so, it's all arguably "G gauge", but G scale is only 1:22.5, the original LGB. Thanks for letting me vent.
PS When I was a kid in the 1950's, it was said that in a perfect world, the two best and most popular scales would be S and TT. We dabbled in both. My brother still has a basement full of American Flyer that he's had for over 60 years, but I settled on HO very early on, since TT was hard to find and mostly wooden kits at that time.

[joehoeing]

Thank you for your clear explanations and your dedication to the hobby!

[TheyMakeItLikeThat]

Next week “let’s compare T scale to 1:1 scale!” 😂

[wolfgangkuechle]

Interestingly the T Scale 1:450 is close to the square of G-Scale 1:24. So you could model a model railroad within a G-Scale model railroad ...

[brodrick]

Steve I think you need a layout similar to your hat layout. How about a G gauge flat car with a T gauge layout on it? Simple with minimal scenery or better yet a detailed T layout as a G gauge car load.

[tammylovescats]

Thanks for showing the different sizes gauges there are

[fredashay]

Yes! I've been waiting for someone to make a video comparing EVERY scale to each other! Thank you!!!

I have it in my mind to built a loop of T track around someone's house on my HO layout to simulate someone's garden railway...

BART (broad gauge) = 1:0.85
Standard = 1:1
Train Mountain = 1:8
G = 1:25 (varies by manufacturer)
1 = 1:32
Lego = 1:38 (approximate because Lego is not precise to any particular scale)
O = 1:48
S = 1:64
OO = 1:76
HO = 1:87
TT= 1:120
N = 1:160
Z = 1:220
T = 1:450
Nano = 1:1000

[isaiahtheclassichistorian]

I have nearly every scale/gauge including Standard Gauge. The only ones that I don't have are T, OO, and On30 (If you want to count it). I don't know what it is but a variety of things in model trains can be so fascinating.

[muir]

This was really good. Funnily enough of course, a very popular scale is Sn3 1/2.
Now, definitely no criticism for it's non-inclusion, as it's very popular outside the mainstream markets.
Sn3 1/2 being of course, the standard gauge for South Africa, Indonesia, parts of Australia, New Zealand, the main system of Japan etc.
There are sizeable home products being made for those markets, and some extraordinarily good quality kits

[sergioarroyoguerrero]

G, O, S, HO, TT, N, Z and T scale.
N scale is the best scale in the trains.

[jetseekers]

We all look forward to the comparison vid from T all the way up to Grand Scale in about a year or so :3

[loispadgett]

Thanks for the look at the sizes side by side know most of the differents in sizes but the TT one I heard of just had not seen it before. I like the TT may have to look for one. Hope your house repairs go well for you.
GOD BLESS 🚂💖🚂💖🚂💖🚂💖

[JamieChristensen-hulv]

Wasn't expect to see TT get some love!

[ravenlorans]

I love that you can use the Smaller Scales as layouts for others.
HO is Garden Scale ( maybe 16gage ) on a Garden Scale Layout
N can be a HO in a Garden Scale Layout or the Kind you Ride on a O Scale?
Why not do a Video about Mixing the Gauges like that.
Have a Garden Sized House with a HO-T Scale Outside or Inside of it?

[DrSoftShoo]

You didn't cover F scale!

Just kidding. I don't know of any F-scalers running anything but narrow-gauge on G scale track and narrow-gauge stuff seems to be a non-candidate for the list (for good reason I'm sure!). Thanks for yet another great video!

[raykiii]

Steve, haven't you done micro layouts with all those scales? Looking forward to more. Thank you.

[MorrisHGT]

now i´m missing scale 1 haha
cool comparing!

[nickname]

This was really helpful for me, since I don't know much about model trains, and it was nice to see it get put into comparison with the different sizes. I just wonder which ones are the most popular to own.

[ghostfox]

Thanks. Needed to find the scale on a toy Caterpillar train cars i got from a coworker. Looks like it is needing S or 2 rail O track. The wheel spacing being an inch and a quarter between the rails has me thinking it's s gage track. Thanks for putting out a basic comparison video. It's kind of handy without having to dig for some books.

[Joliie]

Nice, but you are really going to make the British sad, no OO (You knew this was comming didn't you :)) .

I love how the T makes the N scale looks massive :)