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Common Scales and Gauges for Model Railroads
A scale is the ratio of model trains to real trains. It can also be expressed as millimeters per foot or fractions of an inch per foot. A gauge is the distance between tracks. The standard distance is 1435mm (4 foot 8-1/2 inches) or the equivalent distance ratio. Any measurement less than this is called a narrow gauge and any measurement greater than this is called wide gauge.
|
Scale |
Ratio |
Gauge (mm) |
| HO Scale | 1:87 | 16.5 |
| OO Scale | 1:76 | 16.5 |
| O Scale | 1:43 | 32 |
| S scale | 1:64 | 16.5 |
| N Scale | 1:160 | 9 |
| G scale | 1:22 | 45 |
4 Responses to Common Scales and Gauges for Model Railroads
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I am surprised that the list fails to include Z Scale, which is popular in the US as well as in Europe.
There is also T Scale but I concede that this is less popular and only supported by one main manufacturer. I have noticed that at least one major US model railway magazine ignores anything to do with either of these scales, although purporting to support ‘all’ scales. Ignoring these scales won’t make them go away, and Z Scale is going from strength to strength in Europe and in the States.
Your S scale gauge is correct for Sn3.5 which equates to a narrow gauge of 3 foot 6 inches. Standard gauge for S scale is 22.22mm or 0.875 inches.
Your version of S scale is narrow gauge and equates to 3ft 6in. Standard gauge in S scale is 22.2mm.
Z scale (1:220) has a gauge of 6.5mm (0.256″) and models in UK outline are becoming available (see Standen Watchett at http://trains.manvell.org.uk/exhibitions/20121014-Zedex/index.htm ).
T scale (1:450) has a gauge of 3.0mm (0.118″) and is becoming more popular.
TY (Tiny) has a scale of approx. 1:900. Although there are no rails and it is belt driven, it still fooled a lot of people when I took it to an exhibition! ( http://trains.manvell.org.uk/z+scales/scale-ty.htm ). Hardly common though!