High rail High rail ( also called `` hi-rail '' and `` hirail '' ) is a phrase used in model railroading in North America , mostly in O scale and S scale . The phrase exists due to the observation that traditional Lionel and American Flyer toy train track sits much higher than finescale track . The compromises that were traditionally made in manufacturing these trains have led to three approaches to model railroading in these two scales . The traditional toy train layout makes little , if any , effort at realism and often makes use of unpainted plastic buildings , particularly the Plasticville brand , and other toys , making little or no effort to disguise their origin . In some cases , the buildings , vehicles , and figures on the layout may not even be the same scale as the train , or each other . Roads , grass , and roadbed may be painted onto the table surface , or may be represented with low-pile carpet . Scale modeling also occurs in O and S scales , just like in HO or N scales , where the modeler tries to create a miniature world that is as realistic as possible . Scale modelers in O and S scales will often avoid , or at least make limited use of , traditional American Flyer and Lionel locomotives and rolling stock since it sometimes was not very true to scale , was lacking in detail , and used oversized knuckle couplers . Scale modelers use O gauge track , but with two rails rather than the three rails used by Lionel , and the trains run on direct current . Numerous standards for track that is more true to scale exist for both O and S scales . High rail is an in-between approach . High-railers live with the out-of-scale track and will make use of off-the-shelf diecast vehicles that may be slightly out of scale , especially in O scale because true 1 : 48 scale vehicles are scarce , whereas 1 : 43 and 1 : 50 scale diecast vehicles are very common . Some use vintage Lionel and American Flyer trains , while others opt to use modern equivalents built to greater detail . High railers often will repaint and weather their trains , vehicles , and buildings , just as a scale model railroader would . Sometimes they will go to great lengths to try to conceal the middle rail on Lionel track , and will replace the oversized couplers that came with their trains from the factory with scale versions . High railers are less likely to engage in scratchbuilding than their scale modeling counterparts , but many engage in kitbashing and super-detailing their buildings and structures . Some manufacturers , particularly in S scale , will offer rolling stock with either scale or high-rail trucks and couplers , in order to cater to all potential markets . This article or section does not cite its references or sources . You can help Wikipedia by introducing appropriate citations . Categories : Articles lacking sources | Rail transport modelling 