Train Cars
Train Cars
Most Popular Scale Model Trains
If you are considering buying a model Train Set, one of the first choices you have to make is what size to get. This article identifies the most popular scales and translates each scale into inches. Based on an analysis of Google searches, the most popular model trains are the HO scale and O scale. These two scales account for over half the searches, both in the United States and globally.
HO Scale Trains lead the pack with 31% of total searches in the US compared to 30% of searches for O Scale trains. HO Scale also leads the pack globally with a dominant 49% of searches. The explanation for the popularity of HO trains is due more to the affordable prices and manageable size. HO trains are 1:87 scale, which means the cars are about 7-9 inches long. HO scale trains are about the right size for most beginner train hobbyists because the track layout usually fits well on a 4 x 8 piece of plywood.
Compare that to O scale trains, which are 1:48 scale, which means the cars are about 12-16 inches long. Not only do these train sets take a lot more space to set up and to store, they also cost a lot more. As a result, these trains are primarily purchased by more serious model trains hobbyists while the HO scale trains are primarily purchased by beginners and families looking for train sets as a Christmas gift.
The next leading scales are the N Scale Model trains with 20% of searches, followed by G scale with 16% of searches. These trains are 1:160 scale, which makes them even smaller than HO trains. Cars are only about 4-5 inches long for N scale. G scale model trains are at the other end of the size spectrum with 1:22.5 scale, which means the cars are about 18-26 inches. These are too big to fit in most homes. They are most commonly used in outdoor gardens.
The only other scales getting any searches are Z scale and S scale. Z scale received 3% of total searches while S scale received less than 1%. Z scale model trains are 1:220 scale, which is even smaller than N scale. Z scale is a popular choice for people who have only a very small space available such as a coffee table or a desktop. S scale trains are 1:64 scale , which is slightly larger than the popular HO scale and slightly smaller than the popular O scale. Despite being in the same size range as the two most popular scales, the S scale trains have not caught on for many hobbyists.
About the Author
Joe Kanooga is a father of two kids, a successful business owner and the author of numerous articles about ho scale model trains. Click here to download a free model trains guidebook filled with hobby tips, ideas and information.
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HO SCALE MODEL RAILROAD TRAINS LAYOUT DU PONT TANKER CAR ROLLING STOCK M96921 |  |
5 Bids | US $3.77 | 26m |
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Micro Trains 31192 New York Central 3 Pack 50 Box Car Set | |
0 Bid | US $25.00 | 26m |
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1 24 g scale diecast gas pumpWITH tool boxold tiresoil drum gas cancarramps | |
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US $12.00 | 43m |
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Vintage 1950s 1960s Athearn HO Trains Southern Pacific Box Car Mint Condition | |
0 Bid | US $7.98 | 1h 1m |
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HO SCALE MODEL RAILROAD TRAINS LAYOUT EXXON TANKER CAR ROLLING STOCK M98105 | |
12 Bids | US $7.50 | 1h 26m |
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HO SCALE MODEL RAILROAD TRAINS LAYOUT GULF FLAT CAR W 2 REMOVABLE TANKS M98161 | |
5 Bids | US $11.61 | 2h 26m |
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O SCALE Truck load of whiskey barrels flat bed truck with 25 whiskey barrels | |
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US $14.50 | 2h 52m |
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O SCALE DUMP TRUCK REALY WORKS 3 VOLT POWER | |
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US $9.95 | 2h 57m |
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HO SCALE MODEL RAILROAD TRAINS LAYOUT KODAK TANKER CAR ROLLING STOCK M98102 | |
8 Bids | US $5.25 | 3h 26m |
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20pcs Model Railway Lamppost lamp Double Head HO TT N layout scenery 63cm 6v | |
0 Bid | US $7.47 | 3h 31m |
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Three Intermountain N R 70 20 Refrigerator Cars BNSF Late | |
1 Bid | US $19.99 | 3h 41m |
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Marx Lighted Lithograph Passanger Car 234 NEW YORK CENTRAL with DOME | |
6 Bids | US $46.99 | 4h 3m |
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Marx Santa Fe Passanger Car 3152 | |
1 Bid | US $14.99 | 4h 16m |
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HO SCALE MODEL RAILROAD TRAINS LAYOUT BACHMANN EZ TRACK STEEL 6 9 IN STRAIGHTS | |
12 Bids | US $5.50 | 4h 26m |
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10pcs Model Bottle palm Tree Layout Train Scenery Scenery Scale Z 1200 55cm | |
2 Bids | US $.99 | 4h 29m |
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Norman Rockwell Saturday Evening Post Collectors Edition HO Scale Train Set New | |
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US $99.50 | 4h 40m |
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BACHMANN SANTA FE COMBINE Used | |
0 Bid | US $26.99 | 5h 25m |
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HO SCALE MODEL RAILROAD TRAINS LAYOUT CONSTRUCTION SITE ACCESSORIES LIFE LIKE | |
9 Bids | US $12.50 | 5h 25m |
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Lionel Crayola Train Set 6 11813 O 27 Gauge Excellent Shape Playmatpaperwork | |
1 Bid | US $50.00 | 5h 39m |
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1989 Galoob Micro Machines Trains Model Santa Fe RR Railroad Engine Freights | |
1 Bid | US $4.99 | 5h 40m |
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Coca Cola Train Box Car HO Scale COOL | |
8 Bids | US $11.00 | 5h 42m |
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HO SCALE MODEL RAILROAD TRAINS LAYOUT LEHIGH NEW ENGLAND FREIGHT BOXCAR M98010 | |
3 Bids | US $3.14 | 5h 46m |
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Lionel New 36158 North Pole Central Package Transport Animated Gondola Nice | |
0 Bid | US $24.00 | 5h 47m |
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PlayArt Coca Cola 3 Dome Tanker Train Car HO Scale SWEET | |
3 Bids | US $7.16 | 5h 55m |
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1993 1994 KLINE Christmas cars | |
0 Bid | US $10.00 | 6h 2m |
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HO SCALE MODEL RAILROAD TRAINS LAYOUT MAINE CENTRAL 40 BOXCAR ROLLING STOCK | |
3 Bids | US $2.34 | 6h 6m |
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Lionel 464 65 Sawmill Building See Description | |
0 Bid | US $9.99 | 6h 7m |
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Lionel 2350 150 Pilot Truck | |
0 Bid | US $24.95 | 6h 7m |
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Lionel 6111 5 Log Pipe Brackets NOS | |
0 Bid | US $5.99 | 6h 7m |
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Lionel 445 32 Figure Lever | |
0 Bid | US $3.99 | 6h 7m |
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Lionel 2330 20 GGI Collector Pair | |
0 Bid | US $7.99 | 6h 7m |
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Lionel 464 51 Mint Packet of 464 Timbers | |
0 Bid | US $44.99 | 6h 7m |
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Tyco Coca Cola 3 Dome Tanker Train Car HO Scale SUPER COOL | |
4 Bids | US $5.01 | 6h 8m |
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Marx GAEX 1950 Box Car | |
1 Bid | US $9.99 | 6h 13m |
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ARISTO CRAFT WM 100 TON HOPPER NEW | |
0 Bid | US $74.99 | 6h 14m |
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LIONEL BUNK CAR 19652 CENTRAL NEW JERSEY 0 027 | |
0 Bid | US $21.50 | 6h 16m |
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K Line Budd Cars 3 Unit RDC Train Set 1 powered and 2 dummy units Original Box | |
9 Bids | US $105.59 | 6h 17m |
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LIONEL COVERED HOPPER CAR 6101 BURLINGTON NORTHERN 0 027 | |
3 Bids | US $17.00 | 6h 17m |
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MTH BOX CAR 28668 PRR 0 027 | |
0 Bid | US $14.95 | 6h 17m |
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LIONEL BOX CAR 569356 PRR 0 027 | |
1 Bid | US $14.95 | 6h 18m |
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LIONEL 1999 RAILROAD CLUB GOLD MEMBER BOX CAR 9700 0 027 | |
1 Bid | US $14.95 | 6h 18m |
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LIONEL 1998 CENTURY CLUB MEMBER GG1 BOX CAR 2332 0 027 | |
0 Bid | US $14.95 | 6h 19m |
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Marx Baltimore Ohio Car 254000 | |
0 Bid | US $9.99 | 6h 19m |
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N SCALE MICRO TRAINS 7221389 CONTAINER ON FLATCAR DTI 90092 SEALAND CONTAINER | |
0 Bid | US $19.95 | 6h 22m |
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Lionel Postwar GP7 9 Power Truck Gear Set Ex Cond | |
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US $9.00 | 6h 23m |
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Marx Chesapeake Ohio Car 44572 | |
0 Bid | US $9.99 | 6h 24m |
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LIONEL 6 36847 POLAR EXP TRAINSOUNDS TENDR NEW | |
0 Bid | US $94.00 | 6h 26m |
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LIONEL 6 25134 POLAR EXPRESS DINER NEW | |
0 Bid | US $51.00 | 6h 26m |
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LIONEL 6 25135 POLAR EXPRESS BAGGAGE NEW | |
0 Bid | US $51.00 | 6h 26m |
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LIONEL 6 25186 POLAR EXPRESS HOT CHOC CAR MINT No Res | |
1 Bid | US $51.00 | 6h 26m |
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LIONEL 6 31960 POLAR EXPRESS O Gauge SET NEW SALE FREE SHIPPING | |
0 Bid | US $245.00 | 6h 26m |
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LIONEL 6 35130 POLAR EXPRESS HOBO CAR NEW | |
0 Bid | US $56.00 | 6h 26m |
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Bachmann Built Up Platform Station N Scale MIB | |
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US $14.99 | 6h 27m |
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12 Model FOREST Tree Train Set Railway Scenery Landscape 12 inch 63 inch | |
0 Bid | US $.99 | 6h 30m |
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5 Bachmann American Old Time 1860s Freight Cars N Scale CPRR | |
0 Bid | US $39.99 | 6h 31m |
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Athearn 1602 Carnation Refrigerator Car vintage train in original box never used | |
1 Bid | US $5.99 | 6h 33m |
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Bachmann Williams O 2 6 4 Locomotive PRR Girls Steam Tr | |
0 Bid | US $486.83 | 6h 42m |
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HO SCALE MODEL RAILROAD TRAINS LAYOUT POLICE STATION SCENIC BUILDING KIT L1382 | |
4 Bids | US $6.59 | 6h 45m |
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ARISTO CRAFT BNSF 100 TON HOPPER NEW | |
9 Bids | US $89.99 | 7h |
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MDC Roundhouse Spirit of 76 Bicentennial Harriman Coach set HO scale | |
2 Bids | US $26.50 | 7h 2m |
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HO SCALE MODEL RAILROAD TRAINS LAYOUT MCP CORN TANKER CAR ROLLING STOCK M98126 | |
3 Bids | US $3.79 | 7h 6m |
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PRE WAR MARX TIN LITHOGRAPH 20102 NYC CABOOSE CAR TRAIN | |
2 Bids | US $3.99 | 7h 10m |
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N SCALE MICRO TRAINS 065 00 650SINGLE DOME TANK CAR DH 57 | |
0 Bid | US $9.00 | 7h 10m |
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N SCALE MICRO TRAINS 065 00 560SINGLE DOME TANK CAR CN 990986 | |
0 Bid | US $9.00 | 7h 12m |
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N SCALE MICRO TRAINS 069 00 03051 RIVET SIDE REEFER CP 286120 | |
0 Bid | US $9.00 | 7h 14m |
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Athearn Spirit of 76 Bicentennial NW open top hopper car HO Scale | |
9 Bids | US $24.50 | 7h 15m |
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