The HO scale is far and away the most popular scale for model railway layouts.   It is 1/87th of the actual size. Most model layouts are done using this scale.  HO stands for half O scale, and that means that it can be done in about half the space, which is what originally let to it popularity.  And because of its popularity, kits can easily be found and prices are  affordable.

Most HO scale locomotives run very well and those that sometimes have a stalling problem can often be improved with the addition of rail wipers adding more electrical contact.

Detail is often missing in ready to go accessories, but you are free to add however much detail as you like.  The smaller scale can make difficult to go too far with detailing, since the details become more difficult to see.

If you find that you have a modest amount of space for your layout, HO scale is a reasonable scale to pick.  It doesn’t have nearly the space requirements that the O scale does, is easier to work with than N scale, and there are plenty of accessories and kits available at very affordable prices.

photo credit: James Buck

Related model railway layout items:
1. Tunnels for your Model Railway Layout
2. Adding Hills and Bridges to Your Model Railway Layout
3. Model Railway Layout Backdrops
4. Model Railway Layout – Planning Space
5. Making Model Railway Layouts Using Different Scales – The O Scale