Do you have a child who is interested in model trains? Model trains can be a wonderful hobby for a curious child because it allows a child to use their creativity to create their own world and landscape. In addition to setting up the train, your child can assemble buildings and even develop their own town. However, there are many different types of model trains, so you may not be sure which is best for your child. Specifically, it can often be difficult to determine which scale, or size, of train to get. The scale defines the size of the train cars and the track. Once you settle on a scale, all of your additional cars, track, and buildings should also be the same scale. Here are the three most popular model train scales:
HO.
This isn't the smallest model train scale, but it's close. The smallest is N scale, which is likely to be too difficult for children to handle. An HO set may also be frustrating for very young children because the pieces can be so small. The pieces of track can also bend and break easily, so be sure that your child will be careful with the train before you settle on an HO set.
On the other hand, HO sets are popular because they don't take up as much space. If you're working with limited room, HO could be right for you. Additionally, you may find that HO trains and accessories are less expensive than some of the larger sizes.
O.
This is one of the most popular sizes as it's the scale that's often used for public holiday train displays. It's larger than HO and a sizable model train display in O scale can take up a considerable amount of space. It's also likely to be far more expensive than HO. Many of the O trains are considered high-value collectibles, so an O-scale collection can quickly become a sizable investment. However, you may also be able to find inexpensive O-scale sets at a toy store as an introductory set for your child.
If your child is serious about the hobby, he or she will likely appreciate the quality and level of detail on O-scale trains. Also, you may find that the cars, track, and accessories are more durable in O-scale than on smaller scales.
G.
This is the largest scale and it's also usually the most expensive. You'll need a large amount of available space to set up a G-scale train display. In fact, many G-scale trains are designed for outdoor use because the trains are so large. If your child would like to have a train display through your garden or backyard area, G-scale is likely the most appropriate choice. There are also inexpensive toy versions of G-scale that could be good for a young child who would have difficulty with smaller trains.
For more information, visit a store like Ann's Hobby Center. They can help you find the right starter set for your child.
Share16 November 2015
About a year ago, I realized that I was running out of disposable income to use for decorating my place. Instead, I was working hard to pay my bills each and every month, and it was really frustrating. Fortunately, a friend of mine suggested saving money by crafting in my spare time. I started spending a lot of time looking around my house for things to fix up or use for crafts, and it was a great use of my spare time. Within a few weeks, I had made a few great wreaths for my front door and updated the crown molding around my house. This blog is all about improving your place with a few nice crafts.
