Scale question from a green-horn.

[Anonymous]

Good Morning and a Happy Easter to you,

I've been modeling HO for years, but the larger scales have caught my attention of late (maybe because my eye sight is getting worse.) As I'm thinking of committing to building a small garden railway, I'm a little confused on scale. I've read some of the FAQ type info on the website and I'm half a year into my subscription to Garden Rwys.

Here's the question(s) (and if you'd be so kind to indulge any replies, I'd be very grateful.)

It "seems" that the most popular scales are 1:20.3, 1:22.5, 1:24 & 1:29.

1) Is there one of these scales which has the greatest availability of rolling stock (cars and locos?)

2) Its my impression, that people operate any of these "scales" on either one-gauge track (45mm) or 3-gauge track (64mm). ie. if I'm running 1:22.5 scale rolling stock on one-gauge track, it basically represents 3' narrow gauge. However, to represent standard gauge with that same scale, I need to use 3-gauge track with standard gauge equipment. I'm I anywhere in the ballpark with this?

3) I've picked up a copy of the Walthers Big Trains catalog. I'm finding it pretty confusing. They have a whole section called "G-Scale." However, within that I'm finding models in any of the scales above, many models with no scale listed at all and no references to the size of track that they run on. Am I the only one who has this problem? Wouldn't it be more logical if they had sub-categorized the large scale trains by their actual scale? Are there any defaults that I should be using... ie. if I see an add for a 1:22.5 scale train, should I assume it operates on one-gauge track and represents a narrow gauge model?

Thanks very much to anyone who can help with any of these questions, [:)]
- Dblstack.

[Anonymous]

Hi, maybe be best thing is to think about what sort of trains u want to run? US style or European? Do u want to stick with narrow guage or go for standard guage. What manufacturers stock do u like the most? LGB have a very extensive range, and they use the scale 1:22.5. What u have to remember with LGB is that it is loosely based on European Austrian/ Swiss metre guage(100cms). Also some of the Locos that LGB produced were not designed for metre guage, but either 600cm, 750cm. LGB compromised on the model specifications to bring it into the standard of 1:22.5 on 45mm track. That works fine with Euopean type locomotives. Tho they also produce American outline, again it has been roughly adapted to the European metre guage where as in real life the US guage was 3ft not 1 metre In real life the difference is 3.5 inches roughly. Bachmann follow the better scale for US 3ft Narrow guage scale of 1:20.3, but to be honest with u, run side by side there is little detectable difference. It's a personnel thing of how true to scale u want it to be. I'm happy to run with both because out in the garden it's difficult to find bits of mother nature working to these scales too! I guess most people will tell u that LGB is considered very good, the Locos have excellent running gear, able to last a long time and cope well with adverse weather, tho the Bachmann spectrum range are very good too. Rolling stock wise , the choice is entirely yours. The choice is pretty endless. Personnally I only use bachmann coaches, I think they are more realistic than LGB, but thats my own preference. Apart from LGB and Bachmann, it is also possible to get away with using equipement like Aristocraft (1:29) and only becomes obvious at the door opening sizes. I haver no problem running My Bachmann Climax and coaches on my Austrian themed railway, or running Austrian Locos and Bachmann coaches, because at the end of the day I like them. Hope thats a help. I guess u just have to decide between narrow or standard guage and how realistic u want it to be, and work with whichever scale u like the equipement of, but it does'nt /should'nt stop u running whatever u want to. My only word of caution would be Guage 3(64.3mm track, or thereabouts) it's becoming available here in the UK, at a price!!!!!!!!!, makes LGB and Bachmann look dirt cheap!

[bman36]

Hi there,
It is all a matter of preference. Check out the other threads on here regarding "Scale". A lot has already been said on the subject. 1/29 scale has an enourmous amount available. Aristo and USA Trains have a ton in this area. I would say the most is available in this scale, but it represents Standard Gauge. Choose what you are really interested in modelling and go from there. Later eh...Brian.

[grandpopswalt]

dblstack,

Check out a recent thread on this forum titled 'would you support a movement in G scale to standardize'. I think that you'll get a much better feel about the confusion and emotion about this subject.

In a nutshell, it goes something like this: almost all large scale equipment is built to run on 45mm track. The track gauge scales out to about 39" (1 meter) in 1:22.5 scale. This is the de-facto narrow gauge scale and is principally represented by LGB. In 1:20.5 scale, 45mm scales out to about 36" or the commonly used North American narrow gauge. This scale is brought to us by Bachmann. 1:29 scale comes close to emulating standard gauge. In 1:29, 45mm represents 4' 3" (actual gauge = 4' 81/2"). This scale brings us models of current and vintage standard gauge trains and is represented by Aristocraft, USA Trains, etc.

So choose your preference, Standard or Narrow Gauge. Then choose your scale, 1:29, 1:22.5, 1:20.5. Then choose the manufacturer that suits your taste in your chosen scale. Then put on the blinders and forget about anything else that's going on in
"G Gauge" because it will only confuse you.

Walt

[Anonymous]

Walt, Brian and PGBlaster,
Thanks a lot for the education and the suggestions. It was really helpful.

I'm going to look up some of those old threads that you recommended. At least now I feel confident enough to walk into the hobby shop down the street and ask a few questions without looking like a total doofus.

Thanks again,
- Stack

[Anonymous]

LOL Stack, no one will think u r a doofus! It is all abit confusing at times. Like I say I model in metre Guage for my little piece of Zillertal, tho with the Bachmann Climax and DRG for good measure!. U know I even have a USA trains 1:29th scale NW2, and that does'nt look to far out of place. The world of large scale has many types of loco and rolling stock, and it is pretty much upto you what you choose to run, from trying to replicate true to scale to running what takes your fancy. You have fun now, and do let us know how you get on! Pete.