What size vehicles on O guage layout ?

[ROZY205]

 

Hi, I am not that hung up on size, only would like it to look somewhat realistic when placed next to or near a structure. I did not realize that 1:50 for instance can come in different sizes depending on manuf. That explains my surprise with the size of the CTT delivery truck, it is quite a bit larger than a couple of other 1: 50 vehicles that I have. So the reality is all sizes are not the same from manuf. to manuf. Thanks for all the input.

                                                                                        ROZY205

 

[darianj]

Mostly 1:43 scale cars.

[BDT in Minnesota]

One  group of items that I often think of using are the ERTL line of toys....They have a line of 1:64 scale farm buildings and farm related vehicles that may work quite well with a traditional sized layout...The farm supply stores usually stock these sets, and while you are there...check out the bins of different animals that can be found....I have animals saved up for farm scenes as well as a zoo that I have thought of building for the last 25 years..Nice thing too, is that these things are made to be played with...For us folks with young kids and grandkids,,this is an extra opportunity to share our hobby in a hands on fashion...believe me, it works....BDT

[dwiemer]

In the scale world, where guys get a bit up tight about these things, even they will use different sizes.  The theory of "Forced Perspective", in which larger vehicles, houses, people are used up close and the further from the viewers position, the smaller the scale.  This adds depth to the layout.  In some high quality layouts, they even us HO houses, etc. at a distance that makes the layout look much larger.  You can do this by just matching up the buildings, etc next to each other and making sure as sometimes the package that says one scale is way off.  One Mfg's 1/43 is not the same as anothers.

Good luck,

Dennis

[Joe Hohmann]

I'm a "diecast car fanatic", and use 1:43 on my layout. The main reason is the huge selection of 1940-1959 cars, and the fact that Arttista figures look perfect in the convertables (ie. relation of the driver's head to top of windshield). 1:50 is fine if you want nothing but trucks and buses.

[steinmike]

"Looking right" is really the problem.  A lot of the Plasticville buildings are very small for "O" scale, but they're inexpensive and great for kitbashing projects.  And, of course, some of the Plasticville buildings are closer to scale than others so you have to pick and choose (and kitbash).  I've found that if you're consistent in the scale of the vehicles (I use 1:43 because that what seems to be most available) its OK.  Like a prior poster, I couldn't resist a Corgi 1:50 bus, but keep it in the background where the size difference is not noticeable.

[Anonymous]

Like some others here, I tend to lean toward the 1:50 size cars and trucks, with some 1:43 also used, on occasion.  I just kind of go with whatever "looks about right" in a given location.  I would buy all 1:48 if it was available, but that's not much of an option if one wants a good variety of vehicles.

[traindaddy1]

This a great question. I usually take one of my 'O27' scale guys and stand him along side of the car or house or "whatever" and if it looks close enough, that's OK with me. I just "play" with my trains and let the other guys worry about the scale.

 

[Dave Connolly]

 All my trains are scale. When it comes to cars and trucks. I buy anything between 1/43 and 1/50 th. I believe the key is keeping them grouped or in their own scene. A 1/43 car looks huge next to a 1/50th scale bus. But if the car is placed in the foreground and the bus is off in the background you can pull it off. There just isn't enough variety in Cars, Trucks and Busses to limit yourself to just O scale pieces. Worse than vehicles is people. The Presier figures look like giants next to those from Arttista. These are all over the place sizewise from various manufactures. Just keep them apart or in groups of their own size and it seems to work.

[RR Redneck]

I just go to the local Walmart and buy Hot Wheels and Matchbox cars.

[Roger Bielen]

I recently bought a couple of 1/43 scale semi's from Diecast Direct.  Next to 1/43 cars they look ok but I dare not put them anywhere near a 1/50 truck, they make 1/50 look like a dwarf.  It'd be nice if some manufacturer would breakdown and start producing a line of 1/48 vehicles.

[cheech]

I have found that 1:43 scale are too large for my O/O-27 layout.  There are some Corgi Lionelville cars and trucks at 1:48. They are almost perfect, but the selection is limited.

I have gone to 1:50 Corgi and Joal diecast and 1:64 DCP, Winross and Penjoy. These Mfgrs hae a very wide array of materials to choose from. They cover the gambit of truck/car types and trailer types. Loads for these mfgrs are super.....can't say enough about them.

I built an intermodal yard....DTTX, Lionel crane etc and in the midst of this, put a large array of these trucks with corgi "heavy haulage" leading the way. 

They can be pricey, but bargains can be had. quality and fit and style for less than a lionel/kline semi truck. 

ralph

[Anonymous]

my trucks are mostly 1:50 scale with 1:43 scale autos.

Brent

[ROZY205]

 I rec'd my CCT delivery truck, it's great. I have mostly Plasticville structures & it seems to overwhelming next to them. I thought 1:50 would look the most realistic. Your input will be appreciated.

                                                                                     ROZY205