What is HO-Scale?
Model railway sets are made in a variety of sizes to suit the individual hobbyist.
One of the most popular of those sizes is referred to as the “HO-scale”. The scale has a ratio of 1:87 and is approximately 3.5mm to 1 foot.
The HO-scale was originally created out of necessity. The O-scale (which has a ratio of 1:48) used to be the most widely used size, up until the beginning of the 20th-century. World War I and the Great Depression forced many families to downsize their homes, leaving little room for O-scale tracks.
The HO-scale was developed in response to both the lack of space in homes and the lack of funds that most families had. It provided an option that fit into smaller spaces and allowed hobbyists to continue their passion.