1:29 & 1:32 scale

[Anonymous]

I have recently become interested in Garden Railroads and have started researching and planning a potential layout.  I am leaning toward a standard guage (1:29 or 1:32) system within a 1930's through 1960's time frame theme.  While I envision some passenger trains (WWII troop trains, etc), the emphasis would be on freight & timber.  My setting is a wooded area (next to the Jones State Forest in the Houston, Texas area).

I am a bit of a perfectionist, so I am a little concerned about the proper scale (manufacturer) to fit my criteria.  I have heard that LGB makes the best products, but given my time frame theme, guage, etc., I am concerned that the 1:22.5 scale would not be realistic enough to satisfy my annal retentive nature.  Without offending anyone, the LGB scale looks a little toyish to me.

MY questions are:

1. Is LGB that much better than the other that I need to get over the scale issue?
2. Is the standard gauge the best fit for my 30's through 60's time frame?
3. If I stay with the 29 or 32 scale, who makes the highest quality product (dependable, well built, etc) if price is not a major concern?
4. If you could start your system over, what is the first thing you would do different?

     Thanks,

     Jim

[Anonymous]

Jim, another Texan!

Well where do I start?! One thing I can say is LGB, is a great product but I only use there turn outs.

Another thing is when you see a real life train not all cars are totaly same so there can be some mix and match in there.

As for who is top dog on products to me there are many but there are also mistakes they make also IMHO. (Mostly details)

I pulled my last track up totaly, why? Well it was ok but would not fit my growing design plans which I am on my Phase IV section and last one.

Do different???? Would say to see if there was any G Gauge Clubs in my area (which there was not down here in my area Rosharon).

Remeber it is your RR, make it yours.

Toad

[cabbage]

I would suggest you stick to the Gauge 1 std i.e. 1:32.

Investigate these companies:

Tenmille : http://www.tenmille.co.uk/

Brian Jones : http://www.brianjones.free-online.co.uk/

Also have a look at the G1MRA web site : http://www.gaugeone.org/

regards

ralph

[IRONROOSTER]

1.  The real scale issue is do you want to mix scales?  

2.  LGB is meter gauge, this is close to 3ft gauge used by a number of compaines in Colorado and the East Broad Top in Pennsylvania.  Bachmann has a 1:20.3 line which is correct 3ft gauge.  Narrow gauge railroads arose in the late 1800's, peaked in the early 1900's and were declining in 1920's and 1930's with a few hanging on into the 1950's.  

3.  Aristocraft and USA Trains are the big players in 1:29 and make standard gauge trains, but the gauge is really 4' 3" vice 4' 8 1/2".  On the 1:32 side MTH has recently begun producing some trains - there are a number of UK firms, but not much U.S. other than MTH.

4. Start earlier.

Enjoy

Paul 

[GearDrivenSteam]

I think it depends on what you're talking about. If you're talking about figures, I am very quick to use most every scale under the G scale umbrella. Why? Because people in real life ain't all the same size. Now when you're talking about things such as vehicles, that opens up a whole nuther can of worms. I have a 1/32 scale truck that I can barely fit a an O scale dude into. To me (and it's only my personal opinion) 1/32 scale is getting small for G scale. I guess though, if you stick with gauge 1, in 1/32, it'll be fine. I'll end by saying what I've always said......if it looks good, I use it.

[Semper Vaporo]

As far as American outline stuff.... Aster and Accucraft make many fine engines in 1:32 scale, but are quite expensive when compared to USA or Aristocraft 1:29 scale.  Marklin makes some good 1:32 scale items but they lack some fidelity to scale as far as fasteners to hold the parts together (screws are too big and somewhat noticable).

If you say you are a stickler for detail then Aster and Accucraft are hard to beat, unless you go for single one-offs built by a "watchmaker" machinist which can set you back more than an Aster.

I, personally, have a great liking for Aster, but Accucraft is looking might good for quality at a lower price than Aster.

Still, there is not much "cheap" rolling stock available. 

MDC/Roundhouse used to make some good cars (with stupid hook 'n' loop couplers that I changed out for some repair part couplers from "O" gauge equipment which I find to be exactly 1:32 scale!), but they decided to concentrate on the smaller scales and quit making the large scale items.  You might find some still available.

Marklin is still making stuff, (I think) but, again, although there is nice detail, the big slot head screws holding things together look bad (to some folk), even though they are painted to "blend in".  I think I could overlook that easily!

Some people use 1:20.3 rolling stock as 1:32 scale because the physical sizes of the cars work out to about the same size, given the differences in the prototype gauges they are designed to model.

YOU need to decide what gauge you want to model, narrow, meter or standard.  Then if the answer is narrow gauge, you stick with 1:20.3 (or there abouts).  If you decide meter, then LGB is what you want.  If you decide standard, then you have to decide whether you can accept the slight discrepancy in scales between 1:29 and 1:32 and the relative availability of rolling stock between the two scales (and the relative costs of what is available in power for the two types).

I did read someplace where someone predicted that 1:29 would be gone in a couple of years, but I think that is probably wrong... it has been around a long time and seems to be growing. Even Accucraft is making some new items in that scale now (and I call it anything but "ACCU"rate... but then "my" bias is showing.)

Welcome to large scale... and consider using Live Steam for your motive power!  I love it!