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HO Track Codes Explained: Why Code 83 is the Perfect Balance of Realism and Reliability If you’ve ever browsed HO scale track and wondered what “Code 83” or “Code 100” means, you’re not alone. These numbers are simply the height of the rail in thousandths of an inch — Code 83 is 0.083" tall, while Code 100 is 0.100". That tiny difference can have a big impact on how your layout looks and runs. Why Code 83 is the Modern Standard For most contemporary layo …

When building a train layout one of the first decisions you will need to make is what size layout you want to build.Model trains are classified according to both scale and gauge. “Scale” describes the size of a miniature in proportion to the size of the prototype (actual train). “Gauge” refers to the distance between the rails of the track.Model trains come in a variety of scales, from those you might see outside in a garden, to ones you might see setup on a coffee table. The ratios used are lis …