Narrow gauge vs G scale

[marlboro]

Whats the difference between these two . All I know is that I have 1:29 G scale locos and cars, being 29 times smaller that the actual size. That one I know, but what is narrow . Curiousity killed the cat, but boy was he informed!!!!!

[DSchmitt]

RE: Standard Gauge Section
Classic Toy Trains Forums » Toy train operating and collecting
Posted by Allan Miller Posted: 21 Dec 2004, 06:29:36

Just to clarify things a bit:

Track gauge is customarily determined by measuring the distance between the top inside edge of the railheads.

Standard Gauge track measures 2-1/8" between the rails.

Large Scale (aka #1 gauge and "G" gauge) track measures 45mm between the railheads, which equals 1.7716535"

So, even though the models themselves can be of similar size (and often are), there is a considerable difference in terms of the track gauges these trains operate on.

Also, Large Scale is really made up of a number of modeled scales, the most common of which are 1:20.3 (correctly modeling U.S. 3' narrow gauge), 1:22.5 (correctly modeling European meter gauge), 1:24, 1:29, and 1:32 (correctly modeling U.S. standard gauge ). There also are a couple of less-popular scales used on the same 45mm (#1 gauge) track. Standard Gauge has no set scale for the models produced, and they range all over the place.

[vsmith]

Marlboro

Standard gauge, common carrier mainline trains that operate on a guage of 4' 8-1/2 "

Narrow Gauge, secondary and branchline carriers that operated on any gauge less than 4' 8-1/2", 3'-0" being the most common, although 3'-6", 2'-6" and 24" were also not uncommon.

1/29 scale is technically OUT of true scale for 45mm track, the correct scale for standard guage on 45mm track would be 1/32 scale but only a couple manufacturers bother to make "scale" model trains, MTH, Accucraft, and some other pricey outfits.

Aristo and USA offer 1/29 scale as a way of getting more visual "Umph" from there models, and it has been around for so long now without any large outcry from the gardennRR community that the 1/29 scale has now become the defacto for standard gauge, even though it scales the track to a 4'-3" gauge

For true 36" narrow gauge track using 45mm track scales to 1/20.3. however MOST model trains representing narrow gauge trains are still made to the LGB scale of 1/22.5, why? because LGB was the 500lb gorilla of large scale for many years. EVERYONE manufactured around LGBs scale, even though the track scales out to 3'-3", which is correct for 1meter gauge, European narrow guage that LGB predominatly models.

Even today, all of bachmann's passenger and freight cars are 1/22.5 scale. Its a fair comprommise, its "close enough" to get by visually even with 1/22.5 cars behind the newer 1/20.3 engines. The mass produced 1/20.3 products are a recent trend, and the business has been real slow at providing correct "scale" rolling stock for the bigger scale engines, AMS being the leader here with "affordable" stock.

Heres a scale breakdown by most mfr's and if its a standard guage train or a narrow gauge item:

LGB
standard guage: 1/29 more or less
narrow gauge: 1/22.5

Bachmann (all narrow guage):
Big Hauler and Plus(including the Annie, Indy, Sadie, and Sidetanker, all cars) : 1/22.5
Spectrum Line: 1/20.3

Hartland Locomotive Works:
No specific scale but 1/24 most likely

Hartford:
1/20.3 finescale

Accucraft:
Standard Gauge: 1/32 finescale
Narrow Gauge: 1/20.3 finescale

AMS:
same as above

Aristo Craft:
1/29 all items

USA Trains:
1/29 all

Maerklin:
1/32 all

Berlyn:
1/20.3 finescale

MTH
1/32 all

Delton
1/24

[Anonymous]

Vic, don't forget Aristo still do the old Delton 1:24, C16 certainly and I think some wagons.
Chers,
Kim
[tup]

[TonyWalsham]

I don't see MTH Trains in your list breakdown.
They are producing mainline SG locomotives and rolling stock in the correct (for 45mm gauge) 1:32 scale.
As well as Hartford there are number of specialist 1:20.3 kit manufacturers such as Gary Watkins..

[bman36]

Hey Guys,
Here we go again on the "size " issue. This is just proof positive that as usual a newcomer looks at our Guage and all the various scales and goes "Huh?????" I know I did when I first looked closer at these BIG trains. Thanks for all the above input guys. That's what I enjoy about this forum....we never seem to grow tired of tramping the same paths over and over again. That really helps the newcomers here to NOT feel like idiots. Great job everyone. Later eh...Brian.

[vsmith]

QUOTE: Originally posted by TonyWalsham

I don't see MTH Trains in your list breakdown.
They are producing mainline SG locomotives and rolling stock in the correct (for 45mm gauge) 1:32 scale.
As well as Hartford there are number of specialist 1:20.3 kit manufacturers such as Gary Watkins..

Oops! My Bad, added to list[:D]

Kim, I specifically didnt add Delton because they are no longer in business for some time now, and the 1/24-1/29 Aristo C16 could easily be used as a 1/29 scale standard guage C16, which some were converted to in reality. I could have added Kalamazoo for that matter, which were also 1/24.

But Yes, Delton was 1/24.

A/C C-16 is 1/24 or 1/29 depending on your viewpoint. this engine is also being discontinuated as far as I know.

[Anonymous]

This is a never ending problem and puzzle and it's so hot here I can hardly get my brain in gear to make a decent contribution so I wont say anything except i'm going for a swim to wake myself up. I thonk it about 38 degrees and about 80 % humidity as it rained last night and I am getting worn out by it all after spending the lasrt several days with my grandkids going to Seaworld and shopping for bikini's (why do they need four each?) and then surfing and all that stuff.

I wish I was over there in the cool.

Rgds ian