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Scale Comparisons N and HO and 00and ON30 – UK and USA
Jordy asks reader:
“What are the ratios in the USA and Canada for all four sizes above compared to those in England?? Are they the same ie – 1:76/1:48/1:87 not sure of N too small for me? Kind regards.”
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Hi Jordy,
As I understand it, the scale is the same in the U.K. as it is here in North America. The only difference is which scales are more popular in a given region. Many modellers take into consideration how much space they have for their layout, how much they want to depict within that space, and what the common sizes are of model clubs/groups in their area, as well as availability of engines, rolling stock scenery and so on at their local hobby shop. If you do a Google Image search on “Model Railroad Scale comparison” you will find a LOT of info. In short: G=1:22.5, O=1:48, S=1:64 On30=1:48, HO=1:87, HOn3=1:87, N=1:160 and Z=1:220 regardless of which side of the pond you are on. I hope that helps.
Jamie
sorry Jamie,
I’m afraid you’re wrong. British ‘N’ is not 1/160 but 1/148 and Japanese ‘N’ is 1/150. In the UK we tend not to use HO and use OO which is 1/76. Hope that helps.
Denis
Main Commercial Scales
Gauge Scale
N (UK) 9mm 1:148
N (US) 9mm 1:160
H0 (UK) 16.5mm 1:87
00 (US) 16.5mm 1:76
0 (US) 32mm 1:48
0 (UK) 32mm 1:43.5
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Less Common Scales
Gauge Scale
T 3mm 1:450
Z 6.5mm 1:220
S 22.42mm 1:64
1 45mm 1:32
G 45mm Various
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Full details:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rail_transport_modelling_scales
The standard railway loading gauge (alowable width and height of rolling stock) is smaller in Britain than in the USA and Europe. So Britsh trains are smaller.
Therefore, when HO (1/87) model trains were invented, using the smallest available motors at the time, British models (running on the same track) had to be a slightly larger scale 00 (1/76) to get the same motors in.
British N = 1/148, US N = 1/160;
British O = 1/43, US O = 1/48.
(Presumably for the same reason.)