This subject has always bothered me. Majority of folks get it wrong when describing model trains. Scale is scale, not to be confused with incorrect variations of gauge. Gauge is smaller, non-detailed toy form and inconsistent in size. I don’t consider it “O” in most cases, its an 027 type item.
Here’s even a better one, many of the MTH RAILKING "R" series Subways are in the "O" category but not scale or gauge. They are oversized, larger than "O" scale. Information I received once was the designer goofed after the molds were originally developed. MTH never went back and corrected the mistake on them but changed the Lo V to scale size after it was discovered.
In the photo you will notice the scale yellow Lo V and R-40 are smaller next to the others and are the correct true "O" size.
