What You Need To Know About HO Scale Model Buildings
There are several different sizes - or scales - of model railroad trains and equipment and the HO scale is by far the most popular. One of the biggest reasons is the size, since an HO train measures out at about .137 inches to each foot of the real equipment. That means the average HO train is shorter than a pencil length, making it much easier to build extensive tracks and landscapes.
That small scale is also what makes the accompanying HO scale model buildings so popular with collectors and train enthusiasts. An HO building is large enough to include a lot of detail without being so big that it's difficult to find space for an entire layout.
What Should You Look For In An HO Scale Building?
The best answer gets down to one factor. Do you want to spend a lot of time constructing each building to the proper details? Pre-made HO scale buildings are very popular and in some cases all you need to do is open the box and put them to immediate use. But many train enthusiasts like to customize their buildings and that can require a bit more work. An intermediate step is to purchase HO scale buildings that just require a bit of paint. That can give the building a custom look without hours and hours of work. But some hard-core train fans will buy kits that require not just painting, but putting together the entire building from a bunch of pre-made pieces. That allows for a lot of customization, but it also can mean a great deal of extra work.
Do You Need To Keep An Authentic Look For Your HO Installation?
The short answer is no. Some train fans want their HO installation to look 100 percent authentic and will spend hours researching historical documents in order to have just the right application of details. But many train fans are most interested in simply enjoying their trains and buildings and don't care whether it truly represents a specific era of railroading. Both sides are correct and in the end, it's your decision about which approach works best for you.