HO gauge Model railways & accessories
No other gauge size offers such a wide variety of products as the HO gauge. With a scale of 1:87, their models are about half the size of the once widespread O gauge. The HO gauge therefore represents the standard gauge with a gauge of 1435 mm at 16.5 mm. Compared to other model railways, those for the H0 gauge are particularly convincing with a well-balanced relationship between the handiness of the individual models and the attention to detail compared to their prototypes. As a result, HO gauge model trains can delight both model builders who focus on building a specific motif and those who prefer to shunt and play.
HO model railways of various brands
Are you looking for HO locomotives, HO passenger cars or HO accessories to bring your dream motif to life in 1:87 scale? Modellbahn Union offers you an extensive range of HO model railways and accessories from numerous major manufacturers and brands such as Märklin, Piko or Roco.
Among the German model railway manufacturers, Märklin, Roco and Piko are among the largest. Märklin model railways are particularly popular with collectors and railway operators. Piko also offers complete ranges for H0 gauge. In addition to the model railways from Piko, this also includes rails and digital systems.
Figures, houses and more: accessories for designing your HO model building world
A model railway world without accessories is difficult to imagine. Breathe life into your scenes! At Modellbahn Union you will find everything you need: houses, figures as well as materials and models for HO landscaping complete the world around your locomotives!
Discover, for example, figures for HO gauge from Noch, Woodland Scenics or Artitec. Liven up your landscape with buildings, trees, vehicles and more! In the range you will find many models with a love of detail and also some seasonal accessories.
Frequently asked questions about HO gauge model railways
Which starter sets are there for HO gauge beginners?
Modellbahn Union offers different HO starter sets for beginners, both with different locomotives and with different elements for track construction. Regardless of your decision for a track and power system or for a digital or analog controlled model railway, you will find a large selection of beginner-friendly products from different eras here.
How much space does a HO system need?
It is not possible to say in general terms how much space you need to set up your 1:87 scale model. Influencing factors include the size and complexity of your motif.
What track systems are there in HO gauge?
There are various electrical track systems for HO gauge model railways. Most manufacturers, such as Piko, Hornby and Roco, use the two-rail, two-wire system with DC operation. The other variant is a system with a so-called middle conductor. Their main advantage is that reverse loops and track triangles can be plugged in more easily, since the risk of a short circuit is lower due to the symmetrical electrical charge. The main manufacturer of this track system is Märklin. However, H0 model railways for center rail systems are also produced by other manufacturers.
What is the difference between 2-rail and 3-rail track systems?
Model railways in HO scale differ in the use of 2-rail and 3-rail rails. 2-wire systems are operated with analogue control with direct current, 3-wire systems with alternating current as a rule. AC and DC model railways are not compatible.
With 3-wire AC systems, both rails have the same charge. The so-called middle conductor forms the opposite pole. The middle conductor is located on the sleepers of the tracks. The advantage of an AC system lies primarily in the simple structure of the tracks available from Märklin.
The rails of 2-wire DC systems have different poles. Accordingly, no middle conductor is required. As a result, the rails are more prototypical.
In digital operation, both systems are operated with a permanent voltage, so that only the correct polarity has to be observed when arranging the rails during track construction.
Buy HO model trains and accessories
Building an HO model railway layout gives you a great deal of freedom. If you have decided to build an HO railway layout, you will find HO scale model railways from many different large and small manufacturers at Modellbahn Union, which will breathe life into your model building. Would you like to finally realize your dream motif on a scale of 1:87? Buy HO model railways and model railway accessories from Modellbahn Union now – online or on site!