planning a 1940's era layout

[Anonymous]

After some good advice in a previous post I'm becoming convinced that a large scale outdoor layout is for me. I lean toward modeling a 1940's era western railroad (standard, not narrow gauge). Tell me if I'm wrong, but after reading many strands on this forum I think my best bet (price and product availablity) is to model in either 1:29 or 1:32 scale. Is this assumption correct? If so, after reading many arguments, I can't determine if there is an advantage between 1:29 and 1:32. I'd appreciate any input.

[BudSteinhoff]

piperford,
My recomendation would be to go 1:29 scale.
There is a larger selection of detailed loco's and rolling stock at reasonable
prices.
And they are a little larger than 1:32.
I have everything from 1:32 to 1:20.
Have fun
Bud[8D]

[bman36]

piperford,
I would'nt say that there is a huge advantage going with either 1:29 or 1:32. Both Aristo and USA Trains are in 1:29. I believe USA does 1:24 also. Availability wise for standard guage modelling would put you with 1:29. That said I would have a good look at what each manufacturer offers also in terms of that particular era. For me personally trying to keep everything exactly to scale is both costly and a headache. For instance I use 1;24 die cast cars along with my 1:29 Aristo. Why? The cars are only seven bucks each at Wal-Mart and when put along side my Alco FA1, they look OK. That's just me though. If you want everything exact that's OK to do just be ready for added expense and time. Buy what you like, and like what you buy. Being a Streetrod builder also my views are different since I like to modify. Bottom line is there really is no wrong way to do model railroading. I'll never tell someone their layout is wrong. In reality it's not. The layout represents that person's vision of model railroading. Rivet counters will spend many hours detailing one piece to perfection. The result is to be admired and appreciated for it's craftsmanship. The next person will be happy running a Playmobil loco around their yard. It's still all model railroading. Have fun exploring and researching the 40's era. Made some really neat cars then. Have one.(1940 Chev coupe). Oooops wrong forum. Later eh...Brian. [2c] [tup]

[vsmith]

QUOTE: Originally posted by piperford

After some good advice in a previous post I'm becoming convinced that a large scale outdoor layout is for me. I lean toward modeling a 1940's era western railroad (standard, not narrow gauge). Tell me if I'm wrong, but after reading many strands on this forum I think my best bet (price and product availablity) is to model in either 1:29 or 1:32 scale. Is this assumption correct? If so, after reading many arguments, I can't determine if there is an advantage between 1:29 and 1:32. I'd appreciate any input.

Hello piperford

1:29 is probably going to become the "standard" for large scale standard gauge trains. I beleive Marklin is the only other large maker offering 1:32. USA, and Aristo-Craft are both offering 1:29 scale items. As for the 1940's era, my own RR is based on the era of roughly 1947 to 1957, but its indoors and is narrow gauge. But there is a lot of buildings from Piko and Pola that are right from this era. As for rolling stock there is also alot avalible from USA and Aristo (F-3's, RS-2's, Aristo's Pacific, USA's Hud$on, Aristo's 0-4-0, etc) .

Bachmann is almost exclusively narrow guage with the one exception IMOP is the 4-6-0 Annie which in the three window cab version is almost identical to some standard guage ten-wheeler photo's I've seen and scale wise its a very good match for 1:29. And I believe you could get away with 1:24 cars on the layout.

Heck! I'm at 1:24 and I'm seriusly thinking of switching some cars to 1:18 cause the 1:24 cars look puny next to my puny engines! They even look puny next to supposedly 1:24 figures!

Good Luck, Vic.

[Anonymous]

piperford-
I would go with the 1/29 scale trains. IMHO the size of the buildings and other non railroad details of the layout will be too small for the great outdoors. Additiionally, all those structures will have to be scratchbuilt and the availability of 1/32 scale autos only exsists in military plastic kits, very limiting.

An occasional piece of 1/20 is not going to make things look awkward. Remember, its your minature world you are creating. If your world has a 1/20 scale locomotive pulling a 1/29 scale line of freight then no one can say a thing, because its your world.

So, I must join Bud, Bman and Vic. We aren't experts by any means, at least I know I am not, but once you have things up and running you will be happy with choosing 1/29. The size, availability and accessories have made it in my opinion, an american standard for outdoor garden railways.

Good Luck
Pete

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the input. I will be scratchbuilding most of the scenery. Woodworking is another hobby of mine, so, I'd just as soon pick a scale and stick with it. Now, a related question: I'm looking through all the advertising pages in Garden Railways magazine and none of them seem to tell me what the scale is. As Bman pointed out, certain manufactures model in certain scales. Does this mean all their locos and rolling stock are in the same scale? (or would the older narrow gauge stock be in the larger scales? If I stay with one or two manufacturers will they be consistent? As a former HO mdeler, where everything was the same scale, this gets to be confusing.

-Piperford

[vsmith]

Your pretty much left in the dark there, generally speaking....

USA = 1:29

Aristo = 1:29

Bachmann = 1:20.3 new, with some older 1:22.5

Hartland or HLW = 1:24

LGB = 1:22.5 with some 1:29 standard guage stuff

Accucraft = 1:20.3 for all narrow gauge, 1:32 for all standard guage items

Hartford = 1:20.3

Marklin = 1:32

Once you get used to whats avalible in large scale (its really not that much) it get better. If your familier with what items are standard gauge in HO and whats narrow guage its pretty easy to figure out what scale things are in LS.

I dont think anyone will think a SD70 or all steel NYC boxcar is narrow gauge.

[Anonymous]

Once more my lads and lasses,

1:20.3= Narrow Gauge

Alright, if this is narrow gauge then if one uses standard guage in another scale (1:24 for example), will it appear to be similar.

[Anonymous]

This is all doubtful the only gauge I would use is 22.5 which is what LGB is and that is really the only way to go in the long run. I am interested in your thoughts on a 40's layout; I am working hard on what will roughly be a 30's layout; concrete ramps and a 4 metre (13') long 14 span concrete viaduct which is half finished (send me your Email address and I will send you a photo if you like).

My main piece is going to be a German Field Marshals train, My big Mallet engine pulling a consist, complete with a few luxurious coaches, a flat waggon with a minature radar contriolled anti aircraft gun. Blaring martial music and the sound of gun fire in the background, will be the mood music. My anti aircraft gun will be programmed to shoot down the ever present, noisy and *** crows here on Kawana Island.

See the 30's and 40' were a time of war and we should not consider this era without thinking of wartime in Europe.

I already have caps stuck to the tracks making small explosions at strategic times.


Regards


Ian