HO Scale Model Trains
HO Scale Model Trains are one of the most popular model trains in model railroad hobby history. The reason is due to hobbyists demand for more realism, which is perfect for HO Scale Model Trains, since its smaller scale of 1:87 allows hobbyists and modelers to include more scale miles as well as little functional details into an area that would otherwise be easily filled by a bigger scale model, such as the older OO scale (HO means Half-O, coming from the fact that HO scale model trains are approximately 50% smaller than OO scale model train).
Originally developed in the late 1930s, the current toy demands of that time, which focused more on kids instead of realism, prevented HO Scale Model trains from becoming popular. But in the 1960s, when the toy industry has shifted to a more realistic approach due to market demands from the increasing number of hobbyists, the HO Scale Model Trains eventually overtook OO scale model trains both in demand and popularity, resulting in manufacturers who originally championed O scale sizes to give in and manufacture HO Trains. HO Scale Model Trains eventually became so popular that they were sought after not just by hobbyists but also treated as works of art by collectors, with some of the more distinct and detailed models fetching a premium price in the marketplace.
While intended more for adult hobbyists and collectors, HO Scale Model Trains are still basically toys and can be enjoyed even by children. However, it is best not to let toddlers play with them without any adult supervision and guidance since HO Scale Model Trains have small parts that could be choking hazards for kids.