In non-model train speak, he explained, think of one scale mile as "if you were a tiny figure on the layout, and you walked 30 miles on the layout." Basically, a lot.

The gauge of an O scale train is 1.25 inches or 1¼ inches. The most popular train sizes are O scale and HO scale – HO stands for “half-O”. Lionel specializes in O scale trains.

Train Days (Dec. 18-20) See model trains chug past villages, around mountains and through tunnels, take a tour of the 1800s village and see the historic Chester Park Train Station.

Annual Holiday Train Show and open house by Model Railroad Club Inc. in Union and an annual Holiday Model Railroad Exhibit by New York Society of Model Engineers in Carlstadt on December 3, 2022.

MCKEESPORT, Pa. — A holiday tradition is returning to McKeesport. The McKeesport Model Railroad Club offers 2,200 square feet of model train displays to explore.

Each year, model train enthusiasts, collectors, and curious onlookers gather to marvel at the meticulously crafted miniature railways that evoke nostalgia, innovation, and craftsmanship.

The late Raymond Gray shows his granddaughter the model train set he built under his house. “The railway set grew and grew until it was almost the size of the house, under the house,” Steven says.