In his book “The HO Model Railroading Handbook” 3rd edition, Robert Schleicher says that “O scale is only twice the linear size of HO, but it takes up 4 times the surface area and 8 times the volume”. I’m new to all this so what does he mean by surface area and volume? I thought if O was twice the size 1/48th ,or there about, that it would take up twice the space whether surface area or volume that HO at 1/87th would.
Jarrell
Surely it is to do with the curve radius needed for the larger models? To layout the same track plan in O as in HO would take considerably more than double the space to accomodate appropriate curve radius for the O scale models.
He’s applying a law of mathmatics. If some thing is a 4 inch cube in HO the surface area taken up is 16 square inches. volume is capacity like a gallon or liter. In this case capacity is measured in cubic inches. The 4 inch cube has a volume of 64 Cubic Inches. If O is roughly twice the size of HO than that same cube would be 8X8X8. The surface area taken up would be 64 square inches exactly four times the amount required in HO scale. The 4" cube would take up 512 Cubic Inches thats exactly 8 times the volume of the HO cube. But in sumary he’s saying if you like O buy a wharehouse to put the layout in. Hope this helps.
Jesse
It is simple math and nothing more. Twice the length and twice the width yields four times the surface area. Multiply again times two for height and you have volume = 8. That’s all.
jwr, ya beat me to it by 12 seconds!
LOl… yes Jessie, I believe he is being kind and inferring exactly that! Thanks for all the answers.
Jarrell
SAME THING.
Don’t worry about it.
Area is the critical measurement for how many things you can get on your layout for a given size room (or basement, garage, etc). You would use 1/4 as many cars, locos, etc in O scale as in HO (1/2 as many in S). The fact that O scale is twice the height is normally not of significance in how much fits on the layout. So if you want lots of locos, cars, buildings, etc go with the smaller scales. If you’re happy with fewer (perhaps more detailed) go with the larger scales.
Volume determines the massiveness of the model. An O scale engine looks more than twice as large HO because it’s volume is 8 times the HO. If you like large models where you feel more like you’re right up next to it, then O scale (or G) might be what you want. On the other hand if you like looking at the whole train as it wends its way through the valley then N (or Z ) scale might be better. In between you have HO and S (or TT).
Enjoy
Paul