RC Cars, Collectible Model Train
Sets, Collectible Model Cars & More
Tips About Trains & Model Trains
Little Toy Trains-Z gauge, HO
gauge, and OO gauge
In the real world a railway that has a narrower then 1,435 mm is
called a narrow gauge railway. Narrow gauge railways accommodate
smaller radius curves, and are cheaper to build. They are often
found in mountainous communities and in communities that don't
have enough traffic to justify the expense of building a
standard gauge railway. Narrow gauge railway's are often
duplicated by toy trains.
The smallest gauge toy train available to toy train collectors
is the Z gauge. The Z gauge operates on a track that is only 6.5
mm. The Z gauge was introduced by the Marklin Company in 1972,
at the Nuremberg's Toy Fair. The z gauge is so small that a
layout can fit inside a standard briefcase. Some Z gauge engines
weigh a little as 20 grams. It is very important that a Z gauge
track be kept extremely clean, a little spot of dirt can stop
the tiny locomotive in its tracks and gum up all the miniature
working parts.
The most popular size toy train among toy train collectors is
the HO scale trains. The train was first introduced to the
market in the middle of the 1930's but it did not enjoy
immediate popularity. It wasn't until the 1950's that it started
to attract the attention of toy train aficionados. Fans of toy
trains started to realize that the the HO's small size allowed
them to add even more detail to their layouts.
HO gauge trains are typically less expensive then some of the
other size train sets. It is a large enough scale that parents
with small children don't have to worry about the pieces getting
swallowed.
The typical HO toy train runs on a two rail track that is
powered by a direct current. Some collectors have designed HO
layouts that have a radius of approximately eighteen inches. The
eighteen inch radius models a full scale radius of one hundred
and thirty feet. The small radius is so tight that in real life
it is only duplicated by streetcars and light rail systems. The
casual toy train collector generally uses a track that is made
out of prefabricated snap together tracks, the same type of
track is often used by exhibitors who move their layout from one
show to another. Collectors who have permanent layouts generally
prefer to use a track that is constructed of hand laid sections.
Some little train enthusiast prefer a flex track that is
compatible with a snap together track.
The popularity of the HO gauge toy train makes it easy for
collectors to locate models and parts for their little train
set. The HO gauge is approximately half the size of the O gauge.
In the United Kingdom the most popular gauge toy train is the OO
gauge. The OO gauge was first introduced in 192 by the Bing
company. It was called the Table Runway. A 16.5 mm gauge is used
for the OO toy train.
For more information about
model trains checkout- "Model Trains for Beginners and
Insiders Club"- Click Here!
Model Train Layout Ideas, Tips, and Answers-Click Here!