HO Scale Trains

HO scale model trains use a 1:87 ratio and offer a practical balance of detail, price, and layout size. The scale is large enough for realistic locomotives, rolling stock, buildings, and scenery, yet compact enough for layouts in spare rooms, basements, and other home spaces.

Trainz carries modern, vintage, preowned, and hard-to-find HO trains for sale, making it easier to build around a favorite railroad, era, manufacturer, or operating style.

Explore HO locomotives and rolling stock, train sets, track, parts, and layout accessories by category.

Athearn, Atlas, Bachmann, Broadway Limited Imports, Kato, and Walthers are among the leading HO scale manufacturers, offering locomotives, rolling stock, train sets, track, structures, and accessories for many railroads and eras.

The manufacturer pages below include products available across all scales and categories carried by Trainz.

Athearn Genesis & Ready-to-Roll Atlas Track & Locomotives Bachmann HO Trains & Track Broadway Limited Paragon Locomotives Kato Unitrack & Passenger Trains Walthers Structures & Rolling Stock

Trainz may also carry products from InterMountain, Rapido Trains, ScaleTrains, Bowser, Proto 2000, Roundhouse, Stewart, Life-Like, Mantua, Rivarossi, Märklin, and other active or discontinued manufacturers as inventory becomes available.

Choosing the right track is one of the first decisions when building an HO scale railroad. Sectional track is ideal for beginners and quick layouts, while flex track offers greater freedom for smooth curves and custom track plans. HO track is also available in several rail codes, with Code 83 favored for its realistic appearance and Code 100 valued for its durability and compatibility with older equipment.

Many manufacturers offer HO track systems designed for different layouts and operating styles. Whether you're starting with a train set or building a permanent railroad, selecting a compatible track system from the beginning makes future expansion much easier.

Traditional DC controls power through the track and generally operates the layout as one electrical block. DCC allows individual locomotive control on the same track and can support sound, lighting, and other digital functions.

When comparing locomotives, check whether a model is DC, DCC-ready, or equipped with a factory-installed decoder and sound.

The HO secondary market includes discontinued locomotives, limited production runs, vintage equipment, new old stock, and road names no longer offered by manufacturers. These pieces are especially useful for collectors and operators modeling a specific railroad or era.

Because Trainz inventory changes frequently, available products may range from current releases to estate finds and hard-to-find older models.

Trainz buys HO scale collections that may include locomotives, rolling stock, train sets, track, accessories, parts, structures, and complete layouts.

Visit Sell My Trains – How It Works to learn about the process or request a free collection evaluation.

What does HO scale mean?

HO scale uses a 1:87 ratio, meaning the model is approximately 1/87th the size of the full-size train.

Why is HO scale so popular?

It offers a strong balance of realism, space requirements, price, and product availability across trains, track, scenery, and accessories.

What is the best track for an HO layout?

Sectional track is convenient for beginners and temporary setups, while flex track is often preferred for permanent layouts and more realistic curves.

What is the difference between DC and DCC?

DC controls electrical sections of track, while DCC allows individual locomotive control and can add sound, lighting, and other digital features.

Are HO trains good for beginners?

Yes. Train sets, track, replacement parts, scenery, and expansion pieces are widely available, making HO a practical starting scale.

Can standard HO trains run on HOn3 or HOn30 track?

No. The trains use different track gauges even though the models share the same 1:87 scale proportions.

Does Trainz buy HO scale train collections?

Yes. Trainz purchases collections containing locomotives, rolling stock, train sets, track, accessories, parts, and other HO railroad items.