I am creating a model of the California Zephyr and after researching the dimensions of the train I have some questions including how it can fit on an HO scale train set. First off the dimensions: the tracks are 4 foot 8.5 inches apart, and the train cars are 10ft wide. Is that correct? All the pictures online of the trains look like the wheels are almost flush with the outside of train but the dimensional drawing shows the wheels way in to resolve its 10ft width to fit on the 4' 8.5" tracks. Secondly, does HO scale actually scale the width of the railroad tracks? TIA jon
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jleslie48
modeling the California Zephyr, a question of scale.
I am creating a model of the California Zephyr and after researching the dimensions of the train I have some questions including how it can fit on an HO scale train set. First off the dimensions: the tracks are 4 foot 8.5 inches apart, and the train cars are 10ft wide. Is that correct? All the pictures online of the trains look like the wheels are almost flush with the outside of train but the dimensional drawing shows the wheels way in to resolve its 10ft width to fit on the 4' 8.5" tracks. Secondly, does HO scale actually scale the width of the railroad tracks? TIA jon
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The scale measurements you provided are accurate. The Guage of the rails is 4'8-1/2" between the inside edges of the rails. As your drawing shows, despite the appearance of being almost flush, there is actually significant overhang, resulting in a car body that is just over 10' wide. Also, as properly shown in your drawing, the skirting at the bottom of the coach slants inward, both reducing the overhang and guiding the eye away from it, helping to create the illusion that it is flush.
At 16.5mm gauge, HO scale track is pretty close to Standard Gauge (16.5mm / 25.4mm per inch = 0.65" x 87.1 = 56.58", 0.08" wider than the true scale gauge. Most track gauging on the prototype isn't that accurate anyway.
At 16.5mm gauge, HO scale track is pretty close to Standard Gauge (16.5mm / 25.4mm per inch = 0.65" x 87.1 = 56.58", 0.08" wider than the true scale gauge. Most track gauging on the prototype isn't that accurate anyway.
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