I have been reading and posting to the forum for about 2 years and would like to ask? What is the difference between a Hi-Railer and a O-gauger? I know Scale, Traditional and 027.
Thanks
Brent
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Hi-Rail is when you start adding extra ties under your tubular rail, ballast the track and add scenery that creates a realistic representation of a railroading scene. Look up Norm Charbonneau's layout for an example.
Norm Charbonneau has progressed to 3-Rail SCALE.
High rail is an outgrowth of O-27 and Traditional O gauge trains. Same kinds of trains just placed in a more realistic settings.
Brent-
"Traditional" or "027" are often used to denote layouts where the emphasis is on operating and enjoying toy trains in an unrealistic, but fun and imaginative setting. Examples include simple loops of track with the locomotive chasing its caboose all the way up to layouts packed with every single accessory (operating or not) cataloged by Lionel and others.
"Hi-Rail" often refers to operating trains on a layout with some basic or intermediate scenery where the emphasis is still on fun and not accuracy or "correctness". Usually these layouts tend to be creative, with a balance between realistic details and creative whimsy.
"Scale" layouts represent the other extreme end of the O gauge spectrum. Everything is to scale, prototypically correct, weathered, superbly detailed and totally realistic. No oversized couplers, no out of place operating accessories, no tubular track here... just emphasis on accuracy and realism.
-John
Definition is not 100% clear cut. Hi-Rail, those who prefer as much realism as possible. But there are a whole bunch of us somewhere in between. I don't get hung up on name tags.
Originally Posted by AcelaNYP:
Brent-
"Traditional" or "027" are often used to denote layouts where the emphasis is on operating and enjoying toy trains in an unrealistic, but fun and imaginative setting. Examples include simple loops of track with the locomotive chasing its caboose all the way up to layouts packed with every single accessory (operating or not) cataloged by Lionel and others.
"Hi-Rail" often refers to operating trains on a layout with some basic or intermediate scenery where the emphasis is still on fun and not accuracy or "correctness". Usually these layouts tend to be creative, with a balance between realistic details and creative whimsy.
"Scale" layouts represent the other extreme end of the O gauge spectrum. Everything is to scale, prototypically correct, weathered, superbly detailed and totally realistic. No oversized couplers, no out of place operating accessories, no tubular track here... just emphasis on accuracy and realism.
-John
Thanks for an excellent description! As a 3-Rail SCALE modeler, I really appreciate your descriptions. For more information on 3-Rail SCALE, please check out the OGR Great Layouts #8 DVD.
BReece, excellent question. I have wondered the same and read as much as I could find for a clear answer, including previous threads on a similar topic. This is the most informative discussion I have seen. Anyone else take issue with AcelaNYC's succinct answer?
There are about as many variations of 'O scale' as there are hobbyist. It's hard to pigeon hole any of us here. I started out in 1993 as more traditional size trains under the Christmas tree to today where I am building a more 3 rail scale layout.....but not going 100% to the 3rs side. So I don't fit exactly into any pure category.
