Welcome to the O Page. O, what does this mean. "O" indicates we are modeling in O-scale which in North America is a ratio of 1 to 48 or 1:48 or 1 foot in the model equals 48 feet in the real world. O-scale trains run on 9mm track. Standard gauge track in the real world is 4ft 8.5 inches between the rails.

To some O gauge usually implies a toy train running on three-rail track, scaled at approximately 1:48. To many it is a gauge which allows larger precision models to be made to. Using the odd scale of 7 mm = 12 inches a scale of 1/43.5 is established. Especially in the UK many models are made to this scale for running on layouts, small and large, indoors and out.

In the United States, O scale is defined as 1:48 (0.25 inches to the foot, "quarter inch scale" 1/4 inch equals one foot). This is also a common dollhouse scale, giving more options for buildings, figures, and accessories. Many O scale layouts are also accessorized with 1:43 scale model cars.

While 1:48 is a very convenient scale for modeling using the Imperial system (a quarter-inch equals one scale foot), the discrepancy between O scale in the United States and in Europe is attributed to Lionel misreading the original Märklin specifications.