Auto Racks

[dbduck]

Is it just me?  When I see auto racks out in the real world the ratio of length to height appears that they are shorter in length than the ratio of my HO models

[NHTX]

Could it possibly be because when we view a prototype auto rack, we are in a position where it tends to tower above our eye level, which may optically foreshorten its length, especially the closer we are to it.  I'm no expert on optical illusions therefore, I honestly do not know the answer to your question.  This is just a WAG.

[Metro Red Line]

NHTX

Could it possibly be because when we view a prototype auto rack, we are in a position where it tends to tower above our eye level, which may optically foreshorten its length, especially the closer we are to it.  I'm no expert on optical illusions therefore, I honestly do not know the answer to your question.  This is just a WAG.

 

This is pretty much correct. We're used to seeing model trains at a scale distance and not up-close as we're generally used to seeing prototype trains, especially if we're riding on them or railfanning to focus on certain details/charateristics of a train.

Check out this video of autorack loading/unloading operations, which is filmed from a considerable height distance from track level; the cars look proportionately similar to how we're used to seeing our models: