O Scale Steam Trains In Action

Posted on September 28, 2022

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Camelbacks, Consolidations and Challengers, oh my!

Ride along with the O scale engines and watch them roll by on this wonderful layout by the Red Lion Train Station Model Railroaders of Red Lion, Pennsylvania. There’s plenty to see for all fans of O gauge steam railroading in this video. (Engines featured are all MTH Premier.)

 

 

In this quick bonus video you’ll learn the difference between O Gauge and O Scale using two N5B Model Cabooses to demonstrate! One is O Gauge and the other one is O Scale!

 

27 thoughts on “O Scale Steam Trains In Action”

  4. I think a lot of the confusion has to do with the misusing the terminology, as the "gauge" is the distance between the rails, whilst "scale" is the physical porportions of the models. It should also be mentioned that not all O gauge track has 3 rails, but that's another kettle of fish entirely.

    Usually that's why the smaller-sized trains in O are referred to as "Semi-Scale", along with "Traditional O", "O-27", and our friends from across the pond call them "Coarse Scale".

    As you say, the primary difference is the proportions. Scale items are bigger, and are more scale models than toys, the traditional O items are smaller, more toy-like, and will negotiate tighter curves. The gauge remains the same all around, though traditional O track often has tighter curves that most scale items can't traverse.

    Personally an O-27 fan myself, you get the most bang for your real-estate buck while still having O gauge trains.

  5. Gauge refers only to the width of the track.. outside of rail to outside of rail. Scale refers only to the proportional size in fractions of the object in relation to life size. Common mistake.

  6. While I don’t model O scale due to my space and budget (I model n scale), I’ve had a lot of admiration and respect for it since I was a little kid and how iconic it is to the model railroad hobby.

  7. Wow. The O gauge version is WAYYYYY overpriced. Even the red one that you showed. $59.99 for that? I can see the scale model at that price but no way in hell that price for the o gauge model.

  9. Just to be clear; 0 (zero) "gauge" is the distance between the railheads (1.25"), while the "scale" (size) varies slightly from the 1/4" to the foot scale reference….often incorrectly referred to as "1/48 SCALE". In essence, while the SIZE is often proprietary to each manufacturer, the GAUGE remains the same.
    "0 SCALE" is most often found through craftsmen, but, AFAIK, Atlas is the closest mass-producing company marketing 1/48 sized equipment, although some Lionel products are also available.

  12. All three rail electric trains are toys, not in the same ball park as model railroading in "O"scale proportions

  13. Nice video, but…."Gauge" refers to the distance between the outer rails, regardless of whether the item is "scaled" to 1/64, 1/55, 1/48, 1/43, or whatever. "Scale" is simply the proportion of the model to reality,: 1/48, 1/55, 1/64, etc. Scale items do tend to have more details, as in your example, but that has nothing to do with scale. A modern NYC J3a "scale" Hudson will have more details than a Lionel 700E, but the 700E is still a "scale" model. I hope this helps. Again, nice video!

  14. Your going to have to get a O-scale car to compare to O-gauge car. Only then will you know the difference. The O in O-gauge and O-scale is the gauge of the track. 3 rail rolling stock has over size wheels, couplers and most of the other add on parts. But their are some who have taken O-gauge 3rail cars and change wheel sets and couplers, Kadee seems to be the favorite.

  15. Turn the music off when you talk! It is very distracting an makes it hard to hear what you are saying. At the very least find some music with way less percussion in it…

  16. Simply put… One is a Toy operating on 3 rails… One is a Scale model operating on 2 rails… You're welcome… Good stuff thanks for posting.

  18. "O" as in the letter "O", is the gauge or distance between the 2 outside rails. The 2 cabooses that you are showing are both "O" gauge. The difference is that the white caboose is "O" semi – scale meaning that it's dimensions are a little less than 1/4" to 1 scale foot. The orange caboose is actually "O" scale. It's dimensions are actually 1/4" to 1 scale foot ( 1:48 ), or at least the model should be. Sometimes a manufacturer will say a model is "O" scale, but some dimensions will be a little smaller or bigger, though still close to scale. With that being said, both will have the correct "O" gauge wheel centers.

  26. Super cool! Thanks for sharing. – Loved the 'race' between the two trains and the POV perspective videography. Nicely done.

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