O scale is 1:48 ratio or 1/4" equals 1 foot. It is historically one of the most popular of all model trains dating back well over 100 years by manufacturers, such as Lionel, Marx and others to produce large volumes of model trains from the late 1800s to the present. Many toy trains are O-gauge — indicating they can use O-scale tracks. We call the traditional O27 toy trains "SEMI-SCALE". Modelers with large spaces will choose prototypical SCALE trains to create detailed and majestic scenes. Typically, an O Gauge operator will choose between semi-scale or scale trains and not attempt to mix them together. Most, but not all O Scale trains utilize a center rail that greatly simplifies electrical circuits, allowing for most any kind of track design be possible. Jr Junction Train & Hobby has everything you need from basic starter sets to the most advanced operating scale models available on the market today.
A narrow-gauge version (On3 or On30, which uses HO gauge track to run O scale models) is chosen to model industries such as logging railroads.
Many beginners to the hobby start with a basic ready-to-run train set that includes track, power supply and a train all in one packaged box. Everything you need to be up-and-running is in that starter set. Build the set on a flat sheet of plywood for a simple and satisfying display, or layout and build up from there one or more pieces at a time.
