Model
Train Scale / Gauge quick guide
| Scale | Ratio | Gauge (Track rails spaced apart) |
| T | 1:450 | 3 mm |
| Z | 1:220 | 6.5 mm (0.256 in) |
| N | 1:160 | 9 mm (0.354 in) |
| h0 (HO) | 1:87 | 16.5 mm (0.650 in |
| h0n3 | 1:87 | 9 mm (Narrow Gauge) |
| 00 (OO) | 1:76 | 16.5 mm (0.650 in) |
| S | 1:64 | 22 mm |
| 0 (O) | 1:43.5 (1:45) | 32 mm |
| 1 | 1:32 | 45 mm |
| G | 1:22.5 | 45 mm (Narrow Gauge) |
Below is a first "european" comparison
chart. It gives most combinations available.
Sample 1: When modelling standard gauge
prototype in scale 1:87, the scale name would be h0 (half zero or commonly HO)
and the gauge 16,5mm.
Sample 2: When modelling meter gauge prototype in scale
1:22,5, the scale name would be IIm (2m) and the gauge 45mm.
Sample 3: If one wanted to model
South African mainline prototype in 1:87 one would use TT track, although
the sleepers wouldn?t be spaced correctly!
| prototype gauge | Scale | 1:220 | 1:160 | 1:120 | 1:87 | 1:64 | 1:45 | 1:32 | 1:22,5 | 1:16 | 1:11 | 1:8 | 1:5,5 |
| 1250~1700 | Z | N | TT | h0 | S | 0 | I | II | III | V | VII | X | |
| 850 < 1250 | Zm | Nm | TTm | h0m | Sm | 0m | Im | IIm | IIIm | Vm | VIIm | Xm | |
| 650 < 850 | Ne | TTe | h0e | Se | 0e | Ie | IIe | IIIe | Ve | VIIe | Xe | ||
| 400 < 650 | TTi | h0i | Si | 0i | Ii | IIi | IIIi | Vi | VIIi | Xi | |||
| in mm | 4,5 | 6,5 | 9 | 12 | 16,5 | 22,5 | 32 | 45 | 64 | 89 | 127 | 184 | 260 |
| in inch | 1 3/4 | 2 1/2 | 3 1/2 | 5 | 7 1/4 | 10 1/4 |
Model gauges
note 1: From I scale up arabic numerals are common
note 2: 0 scale used to be 1:43,5 and in some countries still is
note 3: For the larger scales the inch description is more common
Used indexes with scale name:
(European)
m = meter gauge
e = narrow gauge
(American)
n = narrow gauge
nX = narrow gauge plus indication of prototype gauge in feet, i.e. n2 or n3.
So in 1:87 scale meter gauge would be h0m and 3 feet gauge would be h0n3
For all intents and purposes it is the same.
Then to add to the confusion, the islanders have to be different of course. They use 1:76 (00) and 1:148 instead of the normal 1:87 and 1:160.
It is difficult to pick this up in a model as the prototypical loading gauge is smaller than the continental or the American one.
And they sometimes indicate scale in mm per foot as well:
3,5mm scale would be 1:87 (h0)
4mm scale would be 1:76 (00)
7mm scale would be 1:43,5 (0)
2mm scale would be 1:152
|
|
|
