Dec 11 2008
How To - Select A Scale To Model In - Part 2
How To - Select A Scale To Model In - Part 2
G scale is based on the width of the track, 45 mm, and has several manufacturers each promoting their equipment of several scales including: 1 foot equals 22.5 feet; 1 foot equals 20.3 feet; 1 foot equals 29 feet; and 1 foot equals 32 feet. F scale is 1 foot equal to 20.32 feet. F scale is very rare and usually hand made but it’s purpose is to be the standard gauge scale and 45 mm track equals 3 foot narrow gauge. The F scale approach usually results in slightly larger trains. Another approach is 45 mm track as standard gauge in 1 to 32 scale. This approach results in somewhat smaller trains. 1 to 29 scale is an attempt to fill this gap. Narrow gauge prototype, 1 to 22.5, and 1 to 20.3 still dominate in the G scale range. 1 to 29 and 1 to 32 are growing in popularity within G due to individual manufacturers making a commitment to expand their offerings. In spite of the apparent confusion, large scale trains are a significant scale and growing in popularity (as compared to all scales) and availability of equipment. Large scale trains are large and usually durable enough to be run outdoors in garden settings. The track and ties can be left outdoors year round. Garden railroads have captured the interest of both gardeners and railroad model enthusiasts. A 6 foot tall person in 22.5 scale is about three-and-one-quarter inches tall. G has been popular since its promotion by Lehman Gross Bahn (LGB) in the 1980’s. It’s popularity and range of added manufacturers is on the rise. The shopper inside of you will be pleased with G scale. G has been a “collector” scale for years and some of the prices still reflect that. Some people joke that LGB stands for “large green bucks”. G scale takes even more space than HO and modeling concentrates on the trains themselves and a very few buildings. There is also great interest in landscaping with real plants and real rock. Switching layouts are rare because the switches are costly and also take lots of space. Some people run G trains indoors on track hung from the ceiling. A few modelers run G trains indoors and on modules. Indoor G railroads can easily swallow up one or more rooms. The larger trains need broad curves and the larger the better. Even outdoor railroads are limited due huge space requirements for large curves. Some buildings and equipment have limited detail and are severely compressed to save on space and cost of manufacturing. If you are into the very finest detail you may lose something from the “it’ll look o.k. from a distance” attitude that is common with G scale. If you are looking for a single loop around the holiday tree G scale is hard to beat for awesome size and durability. Some stunning detail is being added and created by modelers and companies. It comes at a high price of time or money. Animation (movement) of figures, etc. is one of the areas of possibilities that will really stand out with G scale. There is room for some real creativity here. G scale has space for excellent sound system electronics and speakers. Animation, smoke, and sound in G scale is drawing some purchasers away from O scale and Lionel.
There are many other scales available, including O and S. Most of which are less popular than the above scales (part 1 and Part 2). They have their strengths and followings to be sure. Some, like Lionel, are even famous. Generally, they are available in limited ranges of SCALE equipment, frequently mixed with out of scale or “tinplate” “toys”. The can be fun, and flashy, but be careful because the range is spotty and takes more knowledge to be aware of what you are getting into if you want to use them as the basis for a scale model railroad. After the initial excitement wears off you may wish you had gone with something to model in scales like N, HO, or G.
Have fun!
Trainguy
