| In 1921, the "double zero" or 00 scale train (1:76) was | | | | well as in most of Europe. Although 00 still maintains its |
| introduced in the United Kingdom. This train was and | | | | top spot in England, the H0 scale does exist. The British |
| remains the most popular scale in the UK and runs on | | | | 1:87 Scale Society was formed in the mid 1990's to |
| the same gauge track as the H0 scale trains, although | | | | promote the scale and provide support to those |
| the actual trains and rolling stock are a larger scale. In | | | | modelers who enjoy it. |
| the 1930's the H0 scale was introduced as an | | | | Early track for the H0 trains were sold in sections, |
| alternative to the 00, but never really grabbed a | | | | usually 9 inches long and came in straight sections and |
| foothold in the UK. At 1:87, the H0 scale (pronounced | | | | curved sections of various radii. Track "code" is a |
| h-oh, not h-zero, and not ho) is approximately half the | | | | measurement of the height of the rail as measured in |
| scale of the 0 (zero) scale. Early scales were denoted | | | | thousandths of an inch. Most popular is probably Code |
| by numbers like 0, 1,2, and 3. In the United States, Japan | | | | 100 which is .100 inches high. This track is fairly heavy |
| and Australia, H0 is more popularly denoted as HO. | | | | for the HO scale and can accept 00 trains and older |
| The H0 scale became very popular in the United | | | | deep wheel flange trains as well. For that reason, |
| States in the late 1950's which is when model railroads | | | | some purists opt to make their own finescale track to |
| started to become less like toys and more realistic due | | | | reduce the size. |
| to hobbyist demand. Smaller sized trains by their very | | | | Due to the widespread popularity of the HO scale |
| nature allow enthusiasts to fit more "scale miles" into | | | | throughout most of the world, manufacturers make a |
| the same space as larger trains, while giving up a little | | | | wide array of locomotives, rolling stock (cars and |
| in ruggedness. Smaller trains also allow more detailed | | | | carriages), track, and scenery. You can buy fully ready |
| scenery to be created in the space. | | | | to run models, easy to assemble kits, or Craftsman |
| In the 1960's, the 0 scale began to decline in response | | | | kits which require much more assembly and skill and |
| to the rise in the H0 scale's popularity. Even | | | | may contain several hundred parts. Price and quality |
| manufacturer's who had previously eschewed the | | | | also varies widely, so be sure you know what you are |
| scale like Gilbert (who made the popular American | | | | buying, as with anything else, you get what you pay |
| Flyer) began making the more popular scale. Today | | | | for in most cases. |
| the H0 scale is the most popular scale in the US as | | | | |