Model railroading, especially model trains o scale, can be a great hobby for people both young and old. Model trains come in several gauges, depending on their size. The largest model trains are G scale, with the smallest gauges being Z scale. O scale is the second largest gauge.
The O scale gauge was the most popular size of model train in the early part of the 19th century. This was because model trains were seen as toys for children, so durability was very important. As model railroading evolved from being toys mainly used by children, to being a hobby for many adult who constructed elaborate models, the popularity of smaller gauges increased. This is because the train itself is no longer the only focal point in a model.
Models are now very intricate, with a variety of building, houses, cars, and even people and animals. Typically, there are many fewer accessories and features that go with an O gauge train set, because of its size. However, the larger train set does have several advantages over smaller models.
Surprisingly, many O gauge trains are more inexpensive than smaller models. Though this can differ, due to the wide variety of trains available, typically the smaller trains are more intricate and therefore cost more. Additionally, because of the larger size, fewer train cars are needed for an O gauge set to look “full”.
The O gauge is great for grandparents with small grandchildren. Due to their durability, O gauge is much less likely to break to be damaged than smaller trains. Additionally, the larger size is easier for small hands to manipulate. Many small children are fascinated by trains, and love to help their grandparents or parents with their very own train set.
There are also several O gauge train sets that are intended to be used only as toys. Although they are typically made of plastic and will not work with model train sets (typically made of metal), they will provide hours of enjoyment for school-aged children who can play with the train themselves. Model trains o scale can truly be enjoyed be all ages.
Music: “Rock Island Line” by Big Jim Adam.
Nikon D90 ISO 400 D-movie
Here’s a video and some still pictures from a recent visit to the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Museum in Baltimore, MD. It’s a large automated G-Scale layout with extensive scenery and live foliage. Along with the vast inventory of real trains, the museum also has the Smithsonian Museum’s collection of static model trains as well as another HO scale operating train layout that runs the entire length of a passenger car. I’ll post a video of that layout soon. Hi-res still picture gallery is here: http://i87.com/gallery/bando
Sound Test LGB Amtrak Genesis
Santa Paula Independent Order of Odd Fellows Lodge 314 in California, put up a train display in their lodge room Nov-Dec 2009. IOOF