Popular Model Railroading Scales for Beginners – Explained

Congratulations on embarking on the exciting world of model train building! Whether this is your first time aboard or you are returning to the hobby, there has never been a more exciting time to show that the biggest fun can come in the most miniature form. 

But, just like with anything, there can be a steep learning curve! If you are reading this article, you are likely looking to make sure that you’re getting your fun off on the - shall we say - right track, including by getting familiar with model railroading scales.

At Plaza Japan, we are excited to show you why creating model railroads at any scale is one of the most popular hobbies in Japan: read on to get full steam ahead as both engineer and conductor for your hobby building!

Model Railroad Scales Explained

Perhaps a friend or neighbor first intrigued you with the model train world, or perhaps a particular kit put your inspiration on overdrive. Whatever the reason, you’re very likely to quickly discover that this hobby has far more than meets the eye! 

One of the most important things for any beginner to hobby building is to know about variations of size. To begin, model railroading scales are denoted by a letter of the alphabet, which all stand for the size of the model in relation to the real thing. For example, if you see “1:100” or “1/100” on a box, that means that the model in front of you is 100 times larger in real life! In other words, the wider the ratio, the tinier you can expect your model to be in relation to the “real deal.” 

Here are some of the basics of model railroad scales explained so you can focus more on the fun of shopping and building.

O and HO

O and HO (also known as H0) are the largest sizes for model railroading scales, as O is at 1:48 scale. “HO” simply stands for “Half O,” which means HO is about half the size of their O Scale counterparts. This means that HO Scale comes in at 1:87. Because of their larger size, these scales are not the most popular railroad scales in Japan or from Plaza Japan. They are, however, fairly popular in the United States and other places in the world.

N Scale

The N Scale is a “happy medium” of sorts because, with a ratio of anywhere from 1:148 to 1:160, it is more conveniently sized than its O and HO counterparts but not as tiny as Z Scale. Generally speaking, N Scales among Japanese manufacturers are usually reserved for famed Shinkansen, or bullet train train models. For this reason alone, N Scale models are especially big hits in Japan!

Z Scale

Because of Japan’s famously tight living spaces, Z Scale is one of the most popular model railroading scales - easily explained by the fact that Z Scales are the smallest in size relative to their real-life counterparts, making them ideal for the tight quarters and office spaces that are nearly synonymous with Japanese life.

At 1:220 scale, Japanese manufacturers, including Rokuhan and Fujimi, have perfected the art of the Z scale by ensuring that every detail is scaled to size, presenting both a challenge and a masterpiece for the budding hobbyist - and perfect for someone who wants to swap out scenes and parts more frequently, due to easier, more compact storage.

For the Kids

Do you have a “Z Scale” hobbyist of your own who’s ready to build alongside you? Congratulations on finding a fun activity to spend with you and your littlest builder. Check out our collection of Plarail kits, which are especially fun ways to share the joy of model train building with the whole family.

What’s The Best Model Railroading Train Scale for You?

Still not sure which model railroading scale is best for you? Not to worry, this is where Plaza Japan comes in! Read more on our model railroad scales, as explained in past blog articles, including this advice on how a beginner can learn how to master your art and get your one-way ticket to building fun! As we are passionate about stress, the most important choice in scale is that you are having fun with it and that the selection of trains you can build “speak” to you and what you love most about this creative and satisfying hobby.

In addition, there’s more helpful advice to help you with decoding beyond demystifying model railroading scales. This article explains more about what some of the symbols mean so that you can build the model train of your dreams even more quickly and seamlessly. Browse our extensive selection of model train sets and building materials, and start your own railroad today!

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