Using a back-to-back gauge for your model railway ensures that the wheels on your rolling stock are spaced correctly...
Cart 0 Product Products (empty)
No products
Free shipping! Shipping
£ 0.00 Total
Product successfully added to your shopping cart
Quantity
Total
There are 0 items in your cart. There is 1 item in your cart.
Total products (tax incl.)
Total shipping (tax excl.) Free shipping!
Total (tax incl.)
Search Tips
Tips categories
Latest Tips
-
How do I use a back to back gauge?Read more -
What is a poly-cap?Read moreA poly-cap is a type of plastic cap often used in model-making kits, especially for assembling figurines or model...
-
What is Graham Farish?Read moreGraham Farish is a name you’re likely to come across if you're interested in British model railways, especially in...
-
When did semaphore signals stop being used in the UK?Read moreSemaphore signals, those distinctive mechanical arms that once graced railway lines across the UK, were largely...
-
What is Kato track?Read moreKato track is a popular choice in the world of model railways, known for its quality, ease of use and versatility. If...
Should we say H0 or HO?
Whether to use the term HO (letter O) or H0 (zero) is not something that causes many modellers a sleepless night. We are accustomed to both being understood and accepted when written or typed. The fact is that usually when we use the term it is done verbally and as they sound the same when spoken there is rarely an issue.
One area that it does make a difference is when searching for a product or article on the internet. We conducted a quick experiment using HO and then H0 and sure enough different results were produced. Maybe this is something to bear in mind if indulging in a spot of internet shopping for your latest brand new locomotive!
But which is correct? Although different countries will have different opinions on the matter, if you trace the gauge's history back to the very beginning then the answer is H0 (zero) is the correct term to use.
The name H0 derives from a post WW1 model railway industry creating a smaller gauge than the already established 0, 1, 2 and 3 gauges, the aim was to create a smaller gauge to appeal to everyday families.
H0 gauge was created and is roughly half the size of 0 gauge, this is what H0 stands for (half of 0 gauge). The 0 in 0 gauge is clearly a number as it is in a number sequence thus the only conclusion can be that H0 too is constructed using a number.
Funnily enough, it is usually us Brits that get it wrong and often use HO. This is probably because we British are more likely to use the same verbalisation for the letter O and the number 0 pronouncing them both "ow".
Should we loose sleep over this? We'll tell you in the morning!
Click here to receive the tips weekly in your mailbox. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Related products
Letters Dry Transfer Sheet - Gothic RR Silver Dt
Price: £ 9.75Gothic RR Silver DtPackage contains one sheet.Sheet size:5 5/8" x 8 1/4"...
Numbers Dry Transfer Sheet - Numbers Roman RR...
Price: £ 9.75Numbers Roman RR White DtPackage contains one sheet.Sheet size:5 5/8" x 8...
Letters Dry Transfer Sheet - 45° USA Gothic...
Price: £ 9.7545° USA Gothic Black 3/8, .5 Dt Package contains one sheet.Sheet size:5 5/8"...
Related posts
-
Do I need a respirator?If you are using an aerosol spray paint you should always use one. Always read the manufacturer’s... - How to remove super glue (cyanoacrylate)?Cyanoacrylate is best known as super glue. The best way to remove it is with acetone or an acetone-based product...
- What is the best wood for baseboards?The most common wood for baseboards is probably chipboard as this is relatively inexpensive. Plywood is another...
- How do I stick parts together for a test fit?There are several trains of thought on the best way to secure parts together temporarily. Some suggest using a small...
- How to clean model railways track?There is of course the old tried and tested method, the track rubber which does the job, no railway modeller should...