O Scale Model Trains


Many a newbie model railroader will decide that, instead of HO, they prefer to build their railroad empire using O scale model trains. While the bigger trains may seem easier to work with and just plain more fun they can also be a source of frustration to the inexperienced. Here are some common mistakes made with O scale trains.

Is your turning radius too tight? While the minimum turning radius for an O scale train is 24 inches you have to realize that box cars and passenger cars are not the same length. If you're recreating an 19th century freight route you might be OK but if you decide that instead you'd like to run a modern Amtrak passenger train you may be plagued with derailments with such a small turning radius. Besides the functionality of too small a turn radius you also have the glaring fact that it just doesn