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How to Master Model Railroading Scales

How to Master Model Railroading Scales

Jan 6, 2021

Model railroading can be an exciting new hobby to pursue, allowing you to acquire some of the most faithful recreations of your favorite trains and create stunning realistic environments for them to operate in. However, model railroading does require that you understand the different scales these pieces come in.

Are you looking to start your own railroading hobby? Here’s how you can master model railroading scales and kick your hobby off right!

Table of Contents

  1. Consider Budget and Space
  2. Know the Difference Between Scales and Gauges
  3. Learn the Most Common Train Model Sizes on the Market

Step 1: Consider Budget and Space

As with every hobby, there are certain considerations that you will need to make in order to ensure that you’re buying all the right pieces for your model trains. In regards to model railroading scales, you’ll want to ask yourself how much space you have and what type of budget you have for your new model train hobby.

As we’ll cover below, certain scales are larger than others, and specific scales that are more popular or larger may often come at a greater price. Setting a budget and understanding how much space you have to dedicate to your new hobby will play a major role in mastering the different model railroading scales and getting the best one for your situation!

Step 2: Know the Difference Between Scales and Gauges

Model railroading scales: model tracks running through a town

When you first start diving into different train model sizes, you might come across the word “gauge”. While it can be easy to confuse gauges and scales, gauges refer to the distance between two tracks while scales refer to the size of the model train in comparison to the actual train. It’s important that you don’t get these confused so you know exactly what to buy once you master your model railroading scales!

Step 3. Learn the Most Common Train Model Sizes on the Market

There are multiple railroading scales to choose from once you decide that you want to become a train hobbyist. Take some time to research scales like:

  • HO Scale: HO scale is one of the most popular railroad scales out there, making these trains and train pieces widely available. HO scale trains are 1/87 the size of the real deal!
  • N Scale: N scale trains are smaller than HO scale trains, making them perfect for those with less space. N scale trains are 1/160 the size of their real-life counterparts. 
  • Z Scale: Z scale trains are the smallest out of the three listed here, coming in at just 1/220 of the size of real-life trains. The smaller you go, the more affordable these types of trains tend to run as well. 

Step 4: Research Individual Parts

If you truly want to master model railroading scales, you will also need to do your research on each of the individual parts offered within these scales that will play a critical role in building your railroad. Will they fit? If so, how will they fit together? Of course, you don’t have to stop there either. You can deep dive into the different environmental pieces you need to create realistic surroundings too!

Master the Hobby of Model Railroading With the Support of Plaza Japan

Learning your train model sizes and doing extensive research on model trains is the first step in the process. However, once you have all this down, you’re going to need to start investing in the right materials to bring your hobby to life. This is where Plaza Japan comes in! Plaza Japan is your source for all things Japanese, providing you with access to authentic Japanese train models at the model railroading scales that you need to fit your space and your budget. You’ll also find that we offer a wide range of plastic models, including people, buildings, vehicles, and other miniatures that you can use to bring your train’s surroundings to life and craft realistic environments for your trains to run through.

If you’re a big fan of hobby trains, get started with the guide above. Then, shop our extensive inventory of model train parts and reach out to us if you have any questions about the products that we have in our shop or questions about how model railroading scales will play a role in your model railroading experience!


Author Bio

PJ Chan

PJ-Chan is the pocket-sized powerhouse of Plaza Japan and the undisputed anime figure aficionado of the team, making sure every shelf is filled with heroes and villains alike. When she’s not immersed in the world of anime, PJ-Chan can often be found with a slice (or two) of delicious cake. She has been part of the Plaza Japan family since 2009 and at the tender age of 99, she assures us retirement is not in her vocabulary.