Toy Train Scales & Gauges
Below is a table of approximate scales and gauges for many toy trains over the past century or so. “Approximate” because unlike “model train” scales (many of which have actual standards set by the NMRA), toys were… well… toys. Toy train makers often made no attempt to ‘scale’ their wares to actual prototypes. Moreover, various manufacturers interpreted the various scales and gauges differently. Some measured gauge between the inside of the outer rails - others measured gauge between the center of the outside rails. For instance, vintage Carette Gauge-1 engines won’t run on modern Marklin Gauge-1 track.
So consider this a VERY rough rule-of-thumb…
| Designation | Ratio | Approx. Scale | Gauge (Between Outer Rails) | Manufacturers (Introduced by; Notable Firms) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Z | 1:220 | 1∕16” = 1’ | 6.5 mm | Marklin 1972; Micro-Trains |
| N | 1:160 | 3∕16” = 1’ | 9 mm | Arnold 1962; Peco, Fleischmann |
| TT | 1:120 | 1∕10” = 1’ | 12 mm | H.P. Products 1945; Tri-ang, Tillig |
| HO | 1:87 | ⅛” = 1’ | 16.5 mm | Bing 1922; Hornby, Lionel, Walthers |
| On30 | 1:48 | ¼” = 1’ | 16.5 mm | Bachmann; Accucraft |
| OO (European) | 1:76.2 | 4mm = 1’ | 16.5 mm | Bing 1921; Marklin, Trix |
| OO (Lionel) | 1:76 | 5∕32” = 1’ | ¾” | Lionel 1938 |
| S | 1:64 | 3∕16” = 1’ | ⅞” | American Flyer; Lionel, MTH, American Models |
| O | 1:48 | ¼” = 1’ | 1¼” (32 mm)* | Marklin ~1900, Carette, Bing, Lionel, Ives, AF, Marx, MTH |
| 1 | 1:32 | ⅜” = 1’ | 1.75” (45 mm)* | Marklin 1891; Bassett-Lowke, Elektoy, Bing, Carette, Ives |
| G | 1:22.5 | ½” = 1’ | 1.75” (45 mm ) | LGB 1968; Bachmann, Lionel |
| 2 | 1:22.5 – 1:28 | ½” = 1’ | 2” (51mm)* | Marklin 1891; Carlisle & Finch, Voltamp, Bassett-Lowke |
| Standard (Lionel) | 1:24 | ½”= 1’ | 2⅛” | Lionel 1906; American Flyer, Ives, Boucher, McCoy |
| 3 | 1:16 – 1:23 | ¾” = 1’ | 64 mm* | Marklin 1891; Bing, Carette, Schonner |
| 2⅞" | 2⅞" | Lionel 1901, McCoy, JLM Trains | ||
| 4 | 1:11 – 1:20 | 1” = 1’ | 72 mm* | Marklin 1891; Bing |
| 5 | 1:8 | 4” = 1’ | 117 mm* | Marklin 1891 |
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* When Marklin introduced gauges 0-5, they measured gauge as the distance between the centers of the outside rails. This is approximately 3 mm wider than the modern definition of gauge as distance between the outside rails. The early Marklin specs for gauges 0-5 were 35mm, 45mm, 54mm, 67mm 75mm & 120mm respectively. Gauges 1 & 2 seem to have standardized at the imperial measurements of 1.75" and 2" early in the 20th century. |
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For comparison here are (very) approximate standard door heights for each scale/gauge – based on an 80” door – to the nearest ⅛”.
| Designation | Door Height |
| Z | ⅜” |
| N | ½” |
| TT | ⅝” |
| HO | ⅞” |
| On30 | 1⅝” |
| OO (European) | 1” |
| OO (Lionel) | 1” |
| S | 1¼” |
| O | 1⅝” |
| 1 | 2½ – 2⅝” |
| G | 3½” |
| 2 | 2⅞ – 3½” |
| Standard (Lionel) | 3⅜” |
| 3 | 3½ – 5” |
| 4 | 4 – 7¼ ” |
| 5 | 10” |