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From British OO gauge to Japanese Shinkansen, German Modellbahn to Australian outline—explore the global hobby and discover new modeling horizons.
Each country has its own modeling traditions, preferred scales, and unique prototype subjects. Dive into the one that interests you most.
Expanding beyond North American prototypes opens up a world of modeling possibilities.
Discover unique locomotives, rolling stock, and prototype operations not found in North American modeling.
From British Pacifics to Japanese Shinkansen, international prototypes offer distinctive modeling subjects.
Connect with modelers worldwide who share your passion for specific prototypes and scales.
Model Alpine passes, British countryside, Australian outback, or dense Japanese urban landscapes.
Railway terminology varies significantly around the world. Understanding these differences helps when reading international publications and purchasing from overseas retailers.
| American | British | German | Japanese |
|---|---|---|---|
| Railroad | Railway | Eisenbahn | 鉄道 |
| Freight car | Wagon | Güterwagen | 貨車 |
| Passenger car | Coach | Personenwagen | 客車 |
| Turnout/Switch | Points | Weiche | ポイント |
| Engineer | Driver | Lokführer | 運転士 |
| Caboose | Brake Van | Bremswagen | 車掌車 |
Not all scales are created equal worldwide. British OO differs from HO, and Japanese N scale is slightly larger than American N. These differences matter when mixing equipment.
| Scale | American | British | German | Japanese | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HO/H0 | 1:87 | 1:87 | 1:87 | 1:87 | Universal standard gauge |
| OO | — | 1:76 | — | — | British standard, same track as HO |
| N | 1:160 | 1:148 | 1:160 | 1:150 | Varies by region! |
| Z | 1:220 | 1:220 | 1:220 (invented) | 1:220 | German invention by Märklin |
| TT | 1:120 | 1:120 (TT:120) | 1:120 | — | Growing in UK |
Different regions have different standards organizations that define interoperability specifications.
National Model Railroad Association. The North American standard, widely adopted for HO, N, and other scales. Defines electrical, mechanical, and DCC standards.
Normen Europäischer Modellbahnen. European standard covering H0, N, Z, and other scales. Ensures compatibility across European manufacturers.
British Railway Modelling Standards Bureau. Covers OO gauge, British N, and TT:120 standards specific to British outline modeling.
Choose a country above to dive deep into its modeling traditions, key brands, prototype railroads, and beginner guides.