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Common O Gauge Boxcars

How scales affect the action

The differences in scale affect how you run your trains. O27 cars are significantly smaller than Scale 1/48. You can build a longer O27 train in much less space. Even compared to the Classic 6464 types, the O27 cars make a difference. They give you the luxury of having longer trains in less space. Note below how a foursome of classic O27 cars takes very little more space than a threesome of Classic O cars.

As with passenger cars, length is notthe only issue. We have to account for height and depth, as well. O27 cars are narrower than Scale or 6464 cars. 6464 cars are conspicuously narrower than Scale cars, as well, but are wider than O27. O27 is almost comparable in height to a 6464, but is much lower than the 1/48 car. These things matter when combining cars in a train, and in selecting motive power.

L to R: Classic O27, 6400, and Marx O27. Both O27 cars are 1/64 over O

Marx car's profile is taller than S because of trucks. Bodies are comparable.

6464 / 6400 boxcar beside S gauge car. Railking EL boxcar is in back. It is a 50' car, with a height approaching that of 1/48 cars.

Two 6400s and Railking 50' compared to line of Classic O27 boxcars. On a small pike, it makes a big difference.

In profile, the 1/48 car is slightly taller and longer than a Classic 6464 / 6400. It is much larger than its O27 counterpart. S gauge car in front look lower due to its trucks and wheels, but body is comparable to O27.

Leif the Cat only goes on the layout when trains are running.

O27 cars look squat and short with 1/48 Docksider

The 6400 Classic boxcar looks much better here.

Note how the Scale car is too tall for 4-4-2, whole O27 is perfect and 6464 look fitting.

Compare cars with (F to B) Marx 0-4-0, Lionel 4-4-2 and Docksider.

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L to R: Classic O27, 6400, and Marx O27. Both O27 cars are 1/64 over O	Marx car's profile is taller than S because of trucks. Bodies are comparable.
6464 / 6400 boxcar beside S gauge car. Railking EL boxcar is in back. It is a 50' car, with a height approaching that of 1/48 cars.	Two 6400s and Railking 50' compared to line of Classic O27 boxcars. On a small pike, it makes a big difference.
In profile, the 1/48 car is slightly taller and longer than a Classic 6464 / 6400. It is much larger than its O27 counterpart. S gauge car in front look lower due to its trucks and wheels, but body is comparable to O27.	Leif the Cat only goes on the layout when trains are running.
O27 cars look squat and short with 1/48 Docksider	The 6400 Classic boxcar looks much better here.
Note how the Scale car is too tall for 4-4-2, whole O27 is perfect and 6464 look fitting.	Compare cars with (F to B) Marx 0-4-0, Lionel 4-4-2 and Docksider.