What can I do when logged in?

You can submit new articles, so we can make unique versions of them and distribute them for you.
If you want to simply publish the same article on 800 websites, you can tell us to do that.
You can see the archive and current status of all your article distributions.
You can order any number of high-quality articles - just let us know your keywords.
You can browse the archive of all the articles we have written for you.
You can order our Complete Service (10 high-quality articles plus 10 article distributions).
You can purchase more credits for our services and check your affiliate earnings.
Much more ...

SpinDistribute.com Article Directory

The following article was published in our article directory on November 25, 2011.
Learn more about SpinDistribute Article Distribution System.

Gauges and Scales in Model Railroading

Article Category: Shopping

Author Name: chickie maxwell

Choosing a scale and gauge for the model train set one wants to build can be quite technical and overwhelming. A working knowledge of scales, gauges and the terminologies used by operators and hobbyists is needed.

Scale is the size of model trains in proportion to the larger, actual locomotives they are imitating. It is a scaled down, tinier version of the original. In model trains, the scales are termed G scale, O scale, HO scale, N scale, S scale, Z scale, and more, with others in between. These codes have corresponding scale measurements. G scale is used for sizes from 1:22.5 to 1:24, which means that the model train is 22.5 to 24 times smaller in proportion to the original. The O scale is measured at 1:45 to 1:48; HO is half that at 1:86 or 1:87. That is why it is called HO, or Half-O. N scale is at 1:160, which is half of HO. S scale is at 1:64, which is used by a certain brand and is not too common, but getting more popular. Z scale is the smallest of all, with a scale of 1:220. Minor scales such as TT and OO are also available . The former is at 1:120, while the latter has a scale of 1:76.

HO and N scales are the most wildly popular, with readily accessible accessories and a lot of available model trains to choose from. N scale trains are good with several cars which run through a very large landscape and scenery setting. HO has the advantage of being better with operation, with an almost impeccable switching for local, way freight and yard operations.

The major scales are capable of having layouts that are amenable to such operations. One disadvantage of larger scale model trains, on the other hand , is the need for a larger space and area for the larger layout. A typical layout would need at least an additional three feet in length and additional two feet in width for better access to the operator.

One point which needs mentioning is that layouts do not correspond exactly to the scale of the trains. It does not necessarily mean, for example, that HO scale, which is half of O, can have a proportionately doubled railroad and layout size and track plan. The layouts do not fit exactly in proportion to the size of its trains.

The minor scales TT and OO have their own followers, as S scale model trains do. The latter is fast gaining fans.

Gauge, on the other hand, is the measure of the distance between the railroad tracks. In HO, for example, when hobbyists say HOn3, this refers to a narrow gauge, that is three feet between rails. HOn2 is also an HO scale with two feet between rails. HOn30 is an HO scale with a narrow gauge 30 inches between rails.

The narrow gauge S scale is becoming more popular because a narrow gauge size layout can be put in an area that is not too different in size as the layout of an HO. The On30 train set is also fast gaining popularity because it has people and buildings in O scale at the same time having a smaller train running on an HO track. Larger buildings and cars, after all, look nicer. And for really large sceneries, buildings and people, the G scale or Garden Gauge is the obvious choice, if one has room to spare.

Keywords: model trains

Learn more about SpinDistribute Article Distribution System. We also offer a Pro Article Writing Service to everyone who needs premium quality well-researched articles.

SpinDistribute.com Network

Each article you submit at SpinDistribute.com is sent through our innovative Article Distribution System to our network of more than 1840 publishers - about 55% of them are high-quality article directories, 30% of them are niche blogs and 15% of them are other content-rich websites.

To achieve the best possible success we only publish your article to most related websites. This means your article will show up on approximately 640 - 880 most related websites which will give you great SEO results.

We also offer a separate Professional Article Writing Service to everyone who's looking for high quality web content and well researched unique articles.