Unidentified Model Train Track?

[Anonymous]

HI,

  I have a box of model train track that was in my father in laws cellar.  The track is 3 1/4 inches wide x 15 inches long.  It has 3 rails on top and 4 vertical rods underneith that measure 1 inche wide.  I have 3 different sizes of this track, the longest I have discribed above.  Can you tell me what the scale of this track is?  There are no markings that I see on any of the tracks.

              Thanks,

                    Beth

[csxt30]

That sounds like what they call standard gauge track or Gauge one ! Were there any trains too ? !!

Thanks, John

[1688torpedo]

 Hi Beth!   Your Track must be of European origin as Lionel,Ives, & Flyer made Track in what we now call Standard Gauge that measures Two & One-Eighths of an Inch across & they usually had four ties per section (what you called Rods in your description) Can you possibly scan a Photo of the Track here for all to see? Perhaps then someone can make a positive I.D., Take Care.

[CSXect]

A photo would clear up some of the speculation

[lionelsoni]

The older toy trains that this track came with were not made to any consistent scale.  The best you can do is to identify the track gauge.  The gauge is the distance between the insides of the outside rails.  This web site has a diagram that will show you how to measure it:

http://www.thortrains.net/manual5.htm

Likely gauges for track pieces as big as you have are "standard", also called "wide", 2 1/8 inches; number 2 gauge, 2 inches; and number 1 gauge, 1 3/4 inches.