Scale, technical question

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

Hello: Often heard when it comes to scale: “It’s your layout, use what looks right to you” That being said, when using figures (people) that measure 1.5 inches tall, what scale vehicles would be the most realistic looking? As always, many thanks.

2

A 1.5" figure in O scale would be 6’ tall.

In HO scale, the figure would be 10.875’ tall.

Rich

3

Rich: I understand about the real height of the figures. My question was about the vehicles (cars, trucks etc.) Thanks.

4

Vehicles in 1/50 scale are close to O scale 1/48.

5

Well, if the figures are O scale, then you would need O scale cars and trucks.

Rich

6

Mike: That’s what I was looking for. 1/50 Thank you.

7

For the benefit of others who may be interested in the different popular scales,

N scale = 1:160

HO scale = 1:87

O scale = 1:48

These are U.S. scales. The scales may differ somewhat in other countries.

Rich

8

You could also use 1/43 scale vehicles.

Dan

9

I’m not sure why the topic of scale interests me so much, but for others who share my curiosity, a 6’ tall figure would be:

N scale - Just under 1/2" (0.45)

HO scale - Just over 3/4" (0.8275)

O scale - 1.5"

Rich

10

S scale - 1.125" (1 1/8)

11

Nothing wrong w/ mixing different scales to create depth, as Paul Dolkos told me and had in an article. In other words, have HO near the front and N toward the back.

12

Do you ever feel like your an O scale person in a HO scale world? Or maybe an N scale person in an O scale world? How about an N scale person, with an O scale glass of bourbon?

This scale thing is looking better all the time, yep, it sure is.

Waiting for the Packer game.

Mike.

13

You’re a man after my own heart, Mike.

The Pack and an Old Fashioned!

I’m gonna need some cheese before game time.

Rich

14

My FISH has scales!

15

Does it use them to weigh worms?

Rich

16

No. When fish are hooked they step on their scales to try to get a weigh.

17

How much does a fish scale weigh?

18

Not certain, but probably less than a henneway.

19

Everyone knows that there is no way to weigh a henneway, at least not right away. Only a wronga way.

Rich

20

FYI, it’s known as “forced perspective”