Popular Fun Activities

Children and adults from the USA and the rest of the world continue to love playing with train toys With so many scales (sizes) and gauges to choose from, what keeps HO trains at the top of the popularity list?

What defines an HO train? In the train toys industry different systems are arranged by the scale, or ratio, that the model is made to in comparison to its real life equivalent. Train toys range in size from the big -enough-to-ride-on models to the tiny Z’s. These are small enough to set up in a briefcase. HO simply stands for half O. O is a relatively large sized model train, still very popular today for young children. One inch on an HO train represents 87.1 inches on a real life train.

The popularity of Ho trains is partly because of their smaller size. They simply take up less space in your home and so are less intrusive. At the same time they are still large enough for younger children to handle with some supervision. (Over 8 years is a good rule of thumb.) You can put an HO train layout on a 4′ X 8″ surface, and you can disassemble and transport it easily

There is a wide variety of available makes and models of HO trains. From Thomas the Tank Engine and friends and fantasy Disney trains through to a Hogwarts train. Always available too of course are models of authentic trains from all over the world and all eras of history. Most starter train sets come with information about the history of the original train.

Another main reason for the popularity of HO trains is the huge variety of both trains and accessories available to the budding enthusiast. Starting with a basic HO train set it is easy to add on more trains, carriages, and tracks as interest grows. Because they are standardized and widely available, it’s easy to choose and obtain additional trains and accessories for your HO train set.

When you’re ready to move from a starter set to a larger layout, it’s easy to find extras for HO scale trains. Many train hobbyists like to build their full layout from scratch. This is known, not surprisingly, as scratch-building. Scratch building is very time consuming, but can also be highly rewarding.

Most model train owners at some stage want to be able to quickly add authentic-looking extras to their scene. If you have an HO train system the choices are almost limitless. Buildings, cars, people, trees and more are all readily available. They come painted or unpainted. You can find these accessories made from plastic, wood and metal. Since anything in HO scale will fit right in with your model train layout, you can buy with confidence.

It is possible, of course, that your child may lose interest in their HO train set. However, they still have a useable model that can be re-loved at any time. But if their, or your, interest in railroading grows it makes future present buying so easy. Imagine just putting in an order to Grandma – anything in an HO will be great thanks. It’s easy to see why HO train sets are so popular, with their flexibility, size, and room for expansion.

Filed under: Hobbies on March 23rd, 2009