| O Gauge Trains | | | | gauge trains are bigger they often need more track |
| Before you get too overly excited and jump in your | | | | to be able to make a turn. This isn't N scale where |
| car and dash down to the hobby store to get your | | | | the trains can practically make hairpin turns! If you |
| hands on one of those beautiful O gauge trains in the | | | | create turns that are too sharp you're gonna end up |
| store window-stop! | | | | with a pile up. Also keep in mind that just because 2 |
| Take a breath and just arm yourself with these TIPS | | | | models are both O gauge, doesn't mean they're |
| first so you save yourself some hassle down the | | | | necessarily the same length. One of your trains may |
| road. | | | | be able to make a corner but the other one may |
| There are three common mistakes that amateurs | | | | not. |
| make when trying to put together an O gauge (aka | | | | * Can your train make it up your steep grades? |
| O scale) set. | | | | Again, because O gauge trains are pretty big and |
| Let's take a look at them: | | | | heavy you will need quite a bit of track to get them |
| * Do your trees and the rest of your scenery have | | | | up hills and inclines. Unless you have a large space to |
| the proper scale in relation to your models trains? | | | | work with, you may not want to plan for an |
| Remember, O gauge trains are bigger than most of | | | | elaborate track that goes over and under itself in a |
| the other train scales. They have a scale of either | | | | bunch of crazy ways! |
| 1:43 or 1:48. That's relatively big for a model train. | | | | Well I hope these tips will keep you from pulling your |
| Now remember, in real life trees and buildings actually | | | | hair out when you get down to building your O |
| tend to tower over trains. A lot of model railroaders | | | | gauge. And for heavens sake don't let these |
| make the mistake of making their buildings and trees | | | | "common mistakes" shy you away from choosing O |
| too small. Having the right proportions for your layout | | | | gauge as a train set. O gauge is by far my favorite |
| creates a beautiful sense of depth. There's nothing | | | | type of model train and I would encourage anyone |
| like seeing your O gauge train come steaming out | | | | to take them up in their collecting and building |
| from around the mountain and then through a tree | | | | endeavors! |
| lined bend. | | | | For some great tips on O gauge trains head to Lionel |
| * Are the turns on your track too tight? Because O | | | | Toys. |