The question of scale is always a hot topic issue but this is not really a question. This is more of an informal poll.
Are you folks 1:20.3 or 1:32 scale purists?
Do you run different scales at different times or do you mix and match?
What scale (if any) are your structures, figures and vehicles?
What scale is your favorite train(s)?
Myself, I run a mix of 1:24 with a bit of 1:22.5 narrow gauge steamers and rolling stock. I also run 1:29 late 40's/early 50's era diesels with modern freight and 30's era passenger cars.
My structures are mostly 1:24 kit, kitbashed and scratch built with a few 1:22.5 Piko kits tossed in. My figures are 1:22.5, 1:24 with a few smaller scale ones tossed in (like those USA passengers in a heavywieght car). Vehicles are 1:24 and 1:25 diecast cars and trucks with a few 1:32 trucks (though advertised as a larger scale) mixed in the periphery.
My favorites are my 1:24 trains. I love to doublehead my AristoClassic C-16's pulling a mixed freight (AristoClassic and USA 1:24 cars) or split them up and pull USA 34' passenger cars or Aristo Sierra cars in tow. My E-8 with smoothside cars comes in a close second (nothing makes an impression like big trains).
-Brian
I build and design to 1:20.3
Now that being said I do own an Aristocraft FB and a SD-45 and 5 USA reefers for it to pull. The SD-45 was purchased to push a snowplow for track clearing operations and to be a helper for the FB that is going to be bashed into a rotary snow plow.
The buildings are mainly Smith Pond Junction kits with walls doors and windows resized to be more in line with 1:20.3.
My own figures are in 1:20.3 though I do vary their height depending on what setting they need to be in.
I'll post a picture later of what happens to Aristo C-16's if I get ahold of them.
C-16 as received:
As is sits today:
Jack
G stands for G U M M I
I run a mix of mostly 1:22.5, with some 1/20.3 and some 1/24. As long as they look beleiveble together, I dont sweat it.
Seen too many people have fits over "scale" in the smaller guages to let it bother me anymore.
Have fun with your trains
However, the "Big Three" tend to place the scale on the box.
At least you know what you're getting, and what to expect scale-wise.
The problems are if someone has a string of USA or Aristo 1:29 coaches, and puts them behind an engine that has width and height that isn't, well, whose fault is that?
I remember the LAST TIME I bought a Dell.
They listed in the on-line order various pieces to go with it.
So, I bought a "scanner".
Didn't need it for 3 months, hooked it up, no go.
Called Dell.
Past the 30 days.
Fall off a cliff.
Called the scanner folks, first comment was "why did they sell you one of our scanners? We don't work with ANY XP OS".
My fault. I was supposed to check compatibility of the products Dell listed with the computer they sold me. Never mind it was listed WITH a computer with XP.
Since then, I want to KNOW what I'm getting.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
If it's 1:29, so be it.
If it's 1:29.2 in length, okay.
Width and height?
1:27? 1:28?
Not a big deal, especially if the answer is forthcoming.
Someday I gotta market them rubber rulers.
Oh, and for the record:
(ventilators take note)
No mention of any manufacturer or employees or specific product after the "++++++++++" line.
TOC,
I'm looking at all the disclaimers lately and wondering if somebody threatened to sue you or throw you out with the dirty laundry???
Neither.
It is an anti-foaming agent.
Because I know some moron (specifically un-named) will contact the board moderators saying I'm bashing.
But, they seem to be getting smart, and looking, and seeing nobody is bashing anybody.
I guess if someone wants to pop their head up and claim they are a moron and I am "bashing" them, hey, go for it, just post what you send so the entire world will KNOW you are a moron!
I am having fun, tho.
Funny, answers that won't be given to questions here are now being posted on other forums.
I model 1:29:26:24:22.5. There, I think that about covers it.
In all seriousness, mostly 1:29 locos and rolling stock. As for buildings, I'm still not sure what I want to eventually have my layout look like in it's permanence, so I use mostly birdhouses and bird feeders that represent buildings of sorts. They vary (as my eye guesses from 20 feet away) to about somewhere between 1:24 and 1:32ish?????
Mark
Mark-
As long as I know what I am dealing with, I know what works.
I find ex-LGB, Bachmann, early USA, and Delton freight play very well together, except:
On Delton, you need to change or remove standard gauge reporting marks, and keep the doors closed, and the floor is MUCH higher, while the edge of the carbody is not!
Hi Dave (TOC),
Actually my question has nothing to do with earlier discussions. I am just curious about what my fellow garden (or non garden) railroaders are doing (and I'm sure others might be too). Now quit hijacking my thread . Are you a pure 1:20.3 guy or do you run some of those lesser scales too? Still looking forward to seeing some of your layout pics.
Jack,
That loco is really beautiful! Is that a Fletch or your own design? (David Fletcher, if you guys have not seen his work check it out here - http://4largescale.com/fletch/index.htm)
Bachmann 1:20.3 locomotives and rolling stock. North East Narrow Gauge 1:20.3 rolling stock kits.
altterrain wrote: Hi Dave (TOC),Actually my question has nothing to do with earlier discussions. I am just curious about what my fellow garden (or non garden) railroaders are doing (and I'm sure others might be too). Now quite hijacking my thread . Are you a pure 1:20.3 guy or do you run some of those lesser scales too? Still looking forward to seeing some of your layout pics.-Brian
Actually my question has nothing to do with earlier discussions. I am just curious about what my fellow garden (or non garden) railroaders are doing (and I'm sure others might be too). Now quite hijacking my thread . Are you a pure 1:20.3 guy or do you run some of those lesser scales too? Still looking forward to seeing some of your layout pics.
hehehehehehe.
Take me to Cuba!
I do what fits.
I have 1:20 stuff, don't mix rolling stock with otehr scales.
I run all 1:20 when I run it.
I have a raft of 1:22.5, MANY manufacturers.
NO 1:29.
No 1:32 anymore that I know of.
I even went to the trouble to locate, obtain, repair, and convert a 1:22.5 K-27 to haul those 1:22.5 cars with:
Brian,
That would be the 1:20 version of the 2001 Masterclass. I made mine last year. So yes it is a Fletcher design.
Tom Trigg
HI Brian,
Well I mainly do the Great Northern, and want to pretty much do the period of transition from steam into the streamliner era, guess about late 40's thru early 60's, a bit of a mix of that period of time. So at present I have an extensive collection of USA streamliners and F's and a good bit of the Aristo GN rolling stock and engines , as well as a GN Mallet, ran the wheels off it already, Navin at Aristo is rebuilding them now. So I guess you'd say I mainly do 1/29 as well as some MTH 1/32, I really like the sound systems they have produced and it's alot of fun to run their DCS equipment, as long as you can figure out how to get continuity of signal (now that's a whole different topic). Anyway I posted some photos earlier here, if you or anyone else would care to enjoy the tour. And I am Fairly new here to this forum so hope I ain't stepped on any toes yet, but if I do, Please put on your steel toed shoes, cause I mean no harm....
Byron Custer
The Home of Articulated Ugliness
Hi altterrain
Whats 1:20.3 Must be a funny USA thing
Most of my trains and buildings are whatever the manufacturer made them ie all different "mutter mutter mutter".
My favorite train is nominally that funny UK thing 1/19 wide gauge all the things I try to make myself or are extra special ask for are 1/19 to run on 45mm gauge.
BIG!! little trains are even better.
regards John
Here are the results of my very unscientific survey so far. If you have not participated, what the heck are you waiting for? Move those fingers across the keyboard and lets us know what you are doing out there. Don't be a wall flower or lurker. Results will be updated daily or until everyone has participated.
or for you Mac guys -
http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n214/altterrain/GRscalesurvey.jpg
You may add another 1:22.5 to the list.
Ours is intended to be a model railway in the garden based on the Rhaetian Railway in Switzerland, era is 1969 through 75, locale is portions of the Albula line.
Motto: Slowly but surely!
Best regards
ER
My stuff is mostly 1/22.s also, with some 1/24 and a smattering of 1/20.3
Oops! Double post ...sorry!
Guess you can say across the board for me. But I line the trains to there "size" on the shelf so I keep better inventory that way.
TOC, you build that RR LOL
I have mostly LGB so that would be 1:22. I recently purchased some Bachmann 1:20. My bottom line is if it fits through the helix then I'll run it.
Rex
The Dixie D Short Line "Lux Lucet In Tenebris Nihil Igitur Mors Est Ad Nos 2001"
Hear are the day 2 results of my survey (keep 'em coming!). No need to vote twice, Vic, this ain't Chicago .
http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n214/altterrain/GRscalesurveyD2.jpg
and for Tangerine-Jack ...
Sorry, edited the double post
Brian, this has turned out very neat!!!! Hope others help.
You could have got a Gov't grant to do this you know
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