Just a few random thoughts:
How do I explain to non-train people (like my wife) the difference between my O gauge "toy" trains or the g scale Lionel trains and the battery operated $20 trains at the local 5 and dime or the oter toy trains that my son plays with?
Is there anyway to convince these other toy train makers to build there trains to one of the gauges we all use (HO, S, O, G) ?
I recently picked up a battery operated Catapillar train from a flea market($12) that is VERY close to O gauge. Has/does anyone run these types of trains on there regular layouts?
Am I the only one who thinks Lionel's new "Little Lines" looks EXACTLY like GEOTRAX?
I have a 1 yr old and a 3 1/2 yr old. The older one loves his Brio and his GEOTRAX. What are your or your little ones favorite "little toy train" brands?
Are GEOTRAX trains S gauge?
Does/would any of you use any of the other stuff from these types of trains on your regular layout? Stuff like people, buildings, trestles, and the like.
My thought here is to start a general discussion on this topic so please if you have a question or thought about this topic please post it.
my nephew has the cat set that you mentioned. the track broke and he was going to throw it away. i took a look at it and was able to give him a ton of old 027 track to run it on,so it is DENIFATELY 027!
zigg72md Is there anyway to convince these other toy train makers to build there trains to one of the gauges we all use (HO, S, O, G) ?
What makes it even worse is that most manufacturers can't agree on what "G scale" is. G scale is actually 1:22.5, but trains in 1:29 and several other scales are marketed as "G scale" as long as they run on #1 gauge track.
ripley manorThe cheaper plastic stuff is ideal when non train people are visiting. most cannot tell the difference between a $400 Atlas and a $40 Toys 'r us.
Amen to that. I will guarantee you that non-train people cannot tell a Williams with ERR electronics from Lionel with TMCC. In a couple of days, I will be putting a Williams FM Trainmaster through its paces alongside a highly detailed Lionel. No one will ask if the FM Trainmaster is a Lionel or something else except Wes.
Celebrating 18 years on the CTT Forum.
Buckeye Riveter......... OTTS Charter Member, a Roseyville Raider and a member of the CTT Forum since 2004..
Jelloway Creek, OH - ELV 1,100 - Home of the Baltimore, Ohio & Wabash RR
TCA 09-64284
On my layout at the Chillicothe VA Medical Center I run both a Lionel freight with some K-Line cars and a Williams C&O passenger train. Nearly all assume it is Lionel.
At the Ironton Ohio AMVETS post is a Marx set on a small layout and people still think it is Lionel.
Aren't all O gauge trains MTH?
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder!
This goes back to Marklin's old system, #4, #3, #2, # 1, #O and yes "Half O" (HO). O-27 is the track size (27 inch circle) Lionel took over from IVES when they bought them out in the 1930s. Track and cars smaller than Lionel sized O-32 trains. Lionel full scale 1/48th trains required O-72 track (a 6 foot circle).
#1 Gauge is 1/32nd scale and is used for "large scale" models in Europe and by MTH and others in the America.
When LGB entered the market with waterproof trains, they modeled Europe "Meter Gauge" (aprox 3 foot gauge trains), that figures out to 1/22.5 scale if using #1 gauge track. They called it "G Gauge" (Garden Railroad). Bachmann followed.
Most likly to make there cars look good with other brands and locomotives not two overly large, U.S.A. and Aristo-Craft selected 1/29 as a compromise.
"G Gauge" ??? on the left is a MTH 1/32nd Dash-8, on the right is a Aristo-Craft 1/29th RS3 pulling 1/22nd Bachmann Hopper Cars.
Don U. TCA 73-5735
"Lionel full scale 1/48th trains required O-72 track (a 6 foot circle)."
Not so. The 773 Hudson and the Train Masters both ran on O31. The F3s with vertical motors could run on O27.
Bob Nelson
Sorry, the 773 is not a full scale model. The 5344 (700E) is.
The 773 is a full size model, made with much less hand applied detail (piping and trim). Lionel used a under sized Pilot Truck (leading truck) to allow it to swing under the Steam Chest and also omitted the flanges on the Center Drive Wheel. This reduced cost and enabled it to run on O-32 track (expanded the market).
The "FM Train Masters" used the same trick, two axels with flanged wheels and one without on each power truck.
DMUinCT #1 Gauge is 1/32nd scale and is used for "large scale" models in Europe and by MTH and others in the America. When LGB entered the market with waterproof trains, they modeled Europe "Meter Gauge" (aprox 3 foot gauge trains), that figures out to 1/22.5 scale if using #1 gauge track. They called it "G Gauge" (Garden Railroad). Bachmann followed. Most likly to make there cars look good with other brands and locomotives not two overly large, U.S.A. and Aristo-Craft selected 1/29 as a compromise.
I know that some folks don't care, especially here on the toy trains forum. But for those of us who do scale modeling as well, it matters very much.
The applicable Merriam-Webster definition of "scale" is "a proportion between two sets of dimensions (as between those of a drawing and its original)". That is the sense in which I understand the word. I don't see any requirement in that definition that the scale model include any particular level of detail, only that its proportions be correct; and I see more than enough detail in the 773, the Train Masters, and the F3s to be able to recognize them for the locomotives that they are purported to be models of.
On the other hand "full-size" means "having the usual or normal size of its kind". So a full-size NYC Hudson would be an item much larger than either a 773 or a 700E.
lionelsoni The applicable Merriam-Webster definition of "scale" is "a proportion between two sets of dimensions (as between those of a drawing and its original)". That is the sense in which I understand the word. I don't see any requirement in that definition that the scale model include any particular level of detail, only that its proportions be correct; and I see more than enough detail in the 773, the Train Masters, and the F3s to be able to recognize them for the locomotives that they are purported to be models of. On the other hand "full-size" means "having the usual or normal size of its kind". So a full-size NYC Hudson would be an item much larger than either a 773 or a 700E.
OK, Size is Size!
The lack of Boiler Piping, Full Valve Gear Linkage, and Headlight Trim/ Pilot Detail (cow catcher) does not count. Only the Pilot Truck, Center Driver, and Tender are not to scale. For the "5340" Hudson Lionel made available a Scale Pilot Truck as an option, it also fits the 773.
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