1:43 scale trucks, cars etc. Are they close enough to 1:48 to use? - Model Railroader Magazine
Michael Gray
Updated on April 07, 2026
Railphotog
hornblower
Having a few freinds into O Scale (Oops, Gauge),
It is O SCALE, N scale, HO scale. Gauge refers to the distance between the rails.
And 1/43 vehicles are great in O scale. I have some for my On30 Gauge equipment.
I think he was using gauge to differentiate between O scalers (2 rail, On3/On30) and 3 rail Lionel guys, since that stuff is semi-scale at best.
Personally, I would want to go the other way with On30 stuff (especially the smaller Bachmann engines) and use 1:50 scale. It's a very slight difference, but just enough to notice. 1:43 or 1:48 or 1:50, the key is not to mix and match, especially right next to each other.
